Woman having stomachacheA study appearing in Ginecologia y obstetricia de Mexico (2006; 74(1): 20-8) looked at the amount of oxidative stress and the antioxidant intake in 48 women with endometriosis. The researchers found an inverse relationship between the amount of antioxidants in the diet and the severity of the disease. Also, women with endometriosis tend to have poorer antioxidant status than healthy controls. Other research in Family Practice News (March 15, 2004:75) showed that taking antioxidants (1,200 IU vitamin E and 1,000 mg vitamin C per day) reduced inflammatory markers in women with endometriosis. Also, an animal study appearing in the International Journal of Fertility (1991;36(1):39-42) found that SOD and catalase reduced inflammation and adhesions in areas where endometrial tissue was present.

Earlier research has shown that there is a link between endometriosis and chemical exposure; so it makes sense that antioxidant intake can help women who suffer with endometriosis. A study appearing in Toxicology Science [2001; 59(1):147-59] demonstrated that animals with elevated serum levels of dioxin and chemicals similar to dioxin had a high prevalence of endometriosis, and the severity of disease correlated with the serum concentration of the toxic chemical. Research appearing in Human Reproduction [2005; 20(1):279-85] tested blood levels of PCBs in women with endometriosis and concluded that anti-estrogenic PCBs may be associated with the development of endometriosis. Research appearing in Fertility and Sterility [2005; 84(2):305-12] also found a connection between the body burden of PCBs and similar chemicals to the incidence of endometriosis.