Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Endometriosis Associated Pain

Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent condition that causes dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used for endometriosis for many years in Asian populations. This is a retrospective study in a territory teaching hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing, China to compare the short- and long-term effectiveness and safety of CHM for endometriosis associated pain (EAP) before and after CHM treatment. A total of 338 out of 1143 women confirmed with endometriosis by ultrasonogram or surgery within three months received a CHM decoction twice a day for at least 3 and up to 24 months. All data were collected by a Structured Medical Records of Endometriosis (SMRE) in every clinic visit covering the whole treatment period. Pain score, evaluated by Numeric Rating Scale, was significantly decreased from 3rd to 12th month in women with moderate or severe pain. Frequency and severity rating of menstrual symptoms, evaluated by Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale, were significantly decreased in women with any pain level. Psychological changes rated by Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were significantly lower in 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of treatment, but those by Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) was significantly decreased in six months of treatment. There was no severe adverse event but only minor side-effects. In conclusion, our study showed that CHM relieved EAP and related symptoms with minimal side-effects after treatment. A large-scale randomized and placebo-controlled trial could be designed to confirm the efficacy and safety.