Can N-acetylcysteine help with endometriosis? Original paper

In this prospective cohort study, supplementation with N-acetylcysteine was associated with reductions in endometriosis-related pain and endometrioma size.

The effect of supplemental N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on reducing endometriosis-related pain and endometrioma size.

The secondary outcomes were fertility and levels of serum cancer antigen 125 (Ca125). Fertility-related outcomes were only assessed in participants with reproductive desire.

120 women (average age of 33) with endometriosis.

In this prospective cohort study, all of the participants took 600 mg of NAC on 3 consecutive days of the week for 3 months. All of the participants were evaluated at baseline and after 3 months.

There was a statistically significant decrease in endometriosis-related pain and endometriomas size. There was also a statistically significant decrease in Ca125 levels.

Among the participants with reproductive desire, 75% had a spontaneous pregnancy within 6 months of treatment, and the remaining 25% achieved pregnancy through assistive reproductive techniques, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and in vitro fertilization.