For patients with endometriosis, current UK guidelines advise that the available evidence does not support the use of traditional Chinese medicine or other Chinese herbal medicines or supplements for treatment NICE NG73,NICE CKS.
However, other non-pharmacological interventions and lifestyle modifications are discussed in the literature for symptom management and improving quality of life Lalla et al. 2024Wattier 2018. A supervised and adapted therapeutic exercise program has been shown to improve the quality of life in symptomatic women diagnosed with endometriosis Salinas-Asensio et al. 2022. General healthy lifestyle behaviours, including healthy eating and regular exercise, are encouraged to help achieve and maintain a healthy weight, optimize hormonal outcomes, and improve overall health and quality of life NICE CKS. Weight loss, in particular, may reduce hyperinsulinism and hyperandrogenism, and decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease NICE CKS. Additionally, mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques may be beneficial for symptom management NICE CKS. Other general lifestyle measures that can be considered include stopping smoking and drinking alcohol within recommended limits NICE CKS.
Key References
- NG73 - Endometriosis: diagnosis and management
- CKS - Endometriosis
- CKS - Menopause
- CKS - Polycystic ovary syndrome
- (Wattier, 2018): [Conventional analgesics and non-pharmacological multidisciplinary therapeutic treatment in endometriosis: CNGOF-HAS Endometriosis Guidelines].
- (Salinas-Asensio et al., 2022): 'Physio-EndEA' Study: A Randomized, Parallel-Group Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effect of a Supervised and Adapted Therapeutic Exercise Program to Improve Quality of Life in Symptomatic Women Diagnosed with Endometriosis.
- (Lalla et al., 2024): Impact of lifestyle and dietary modifications for endometriosis development and symptom management.