Evidence supporting the use of: Evening primrose oil
For the health condition: Endometriosis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Evening primrose oil (EPO) has traditionally been used as a natural remedy for various women’s health issues, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), mastalgia (breast pain), and menopausal symptoms. Its use for endometriosis is primarily rooted in these traditions rather than robust scientific evidence. The rationale comes from the oil’s high gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content, which is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties that might theoretically benefit conditions associated with inflammation, such as endometriosis. However, direct clinical studies investigating EPO’s efficacy specifically for endometriosis are lacking.

Most of the available research on EPO focuses on its effects on general menstrual symptoms or inflammatory markers, not on endometriosis itself. There are anecdotal reports and traditional use cases suggesting that EPO may help reduce pelvic pain or other symptoms associated with endometriosis, but these are not substantiated by high-quality, peer-reviewed clinical trials. Systematic reviews and guidelines do not currently recommend EPO as a treatment for endometriosis due to insufficient evidence. In summary, while EPO is used by some based on traditional practices for women’s health, its use for endometriosis lacks scientific validation, and the supporting evidence is minimal.

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