Evidence supporting the use of: Folic acid
For the health condition: Cervical Dysplasia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Folic acid has been investigated as a potential supportive treatment for cervical dysplasia, primarily because of its critical role in DNA synthesis, methylation, and repair. Low serum folate levels have been associated with increased risk of cervical dysplasia, particularly in women infected with human papillomavirus (HPV). Several observational studies have shown a correlation between low folate status and higher prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Some small randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the 1980s and 1990s suggested that supplementation with folic acid (often 5 mg/day) could lead to regression of low-grade cervical dysplasia (CIN I), but results have been inconsistent and studies are limited by small sample sizes and methodological concerns.

A 2015 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Kefei Dou et al., International Journal of Women's Health) found that 5 mg/day of folic acid for six months significantly improved regression rates of CIN 1 compared to placebo, but this effect was not seen in higher-grade dysplasia. Systematic reviews generally conclude that while folic acid supplementation may have modest benefit in low-grade lesions, the quality of evidence is low, and there is insufficient data to recommend its routine use for cervical dysplasia, especially for moderate to severe cases. Current clinical guidelines do not recommend folic acid as a primary therapy for cervical dysplasia, but supplementation may be considered in women with documented folate deficiency.

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Other health conditions supported by folic acid

Cervical Dysplasia
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)