Endometriosis can be detrimental to fertility. After surgery, treatment may be suggested to prevent recurrence of the condition, especially in women who want to achieve pregnancy post surgery. Researchers from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing recently published a study claiming Chinese medicine is just as effective as Western medicine at preventing recurrence. Moreover, the study suggested Chinese medicine increased fertility.
A total of 208 women were included in the study. About half the women were placed in the Chinese medicine group and the other half in the Western medicine group. All women underwent conservative surgery for endometriosis. Women in the Chinese medicine group were given one of three alternative treatments based on the type or level of endometriosis patients exhibited. The Western medicine group was treated with GnRH-a (gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist) or gestrinone. The length of Western medical treatment was determined by the severity of the endometriosis.
Conclusion
At the end of the study, there were no differences in recurrence rates between the Chinese and Western medicine groups, but one woman in the Chinese medicine group did conceive more quickly and women in the Western medicine group reported more side effects.
Source: Zhao RH, Hao ZP, Zhang Y, Lian FM, Sun WW, Liu Y, Wang R, Long L, Cheng L, Ding YF, Song DR, Meng QW, Wang AM. Controlling the recurrence of pelvic endometriosis after a conservative operation: Comparison between Chinese herbal medicine and western medicine. Chin J Integr Med. 2012 Dec 22.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23292545