NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) for endometriosis cysts


NAC for endometriosis


NAC (N-acetylcysteine) is a dietary supplement and amino acid derived from L-cysteine. Cysteine is necessary to manufacture glutathione which is a major antioxidant that your body makes. NAC is widely used to boost the body’s levels of glutathione, reduce inflammation, and thin mucus in respiratory conditions.

As well as helping to increase glutathione levels NAC has also shown to reduce oxidative stress in various clinical trials. Reducing oxidative stress and increasing glutathione also supports egg health, which is why NAC can be so helpful in infertility cases.

NAC has been advised for managing endometriosis since a landmark clinical trial in 2013 by a team of Italian researchers which demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing pelvic pain and shrinking endometriomas (ovarian cysts).

The Italian researchers recruited women with ovarian endometriomas who also were dealing with infertility. All of these women were scheduled for surgical removal of the endometriomas, so in the meantime, half were given NAC, and half were given a placebo.

After three months of treatment, the average size of the endometriomas within the NAC group had shrunk slightly, while those in the placebo group had increased significantly. Additionally, one-third of the women on NAC cancelled their surgery due to either cyst decrease or disappearance, pain reduction, or pregnancy. The NAC group had eight pregnancies versus six in the placebo group. Finally, the researchers concluded that this type of therapy may actually be more effective than hormonal therapy, without the negative side effects.

Over the last decade NAC has gained in popularity to help reduce the symptoms of endometriosis and many doctors are now advising women to include NAC as part of their supplement regime.

Studies using NAC for endometriosis

Studies show that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment for endometrial cysts (endometriomas) typically takes three months to show significant reduction in size. In some cases, personal reports suggest a timeframe of around four months for complete disappearance. 

Study Findings on NAC and Endometriomas

  • Treatment Duration: In the main clinical studies, patients were given oral NAC supplementation (600 mg, three times a day, three consecutive days a week) for a period of three months.
  • Results After 3 Months: After the three-month period, ultrasound measurements revealed a significant decrease in the size of ovarian endometriomas in the treated groups. In one study, the mean cyst diameter was slightly reduced (by -1.5 mm) in the NAC group, whereas untreated control groups experienced a significant increase in size (+6.6 mm).
  • Pain Reduction: Along with cyst size reduction, patients reported significant improvements in endometriosis-related pain symptoms, including painful periods (dysmenorrhea) and chronic pelvic pain.
  • Lowers Inflammatory Markers: NAC was found to decrease levels of Ca125, a marker often elevated in endometriosis, indicating a reduction in inflammation


NAC Research for Endometriosis

Efficacy of N-Acetylcysteine on Endometriosis-Related Pain, Size Reduction of Ovarian Endometriomas, and Fertility Outcomes – Pubmed

A few key points from the research:

The purpose of our study was to demonstrate the benefits of NAC in patients with endometriosis. As previously reported in a pilot study that we conducted a few years ago, we found a significant improvement in endometriosis-associated pain after 3 months of treatment.

Our study also showed that, after the administration of NAC, there was a significant reduction in the serum levels of Ca125, a marker which increases in several conditions of peritoneal inflammation.

N-acetylcysteine is effective in reducing endometriosis-related pain symptoms, the size of endometriomas and the serum levels of Ca125. Furthermore, it showed a positive impact on patient fertility. NAC may represent a good therapeutic option for symptomatic women with endometriosis and pregnancy desire.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10048621/

NAC Reduces Prostaglandins

NAC decreases prostaglandins which are responsible for increasing inflammation and promoting endometrial growth. It does this primarily by acting as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals, and decreasing the expression of COX-2 (the enzyme responsible for synthesizing inflammatory prostaglandins, such as PGE₂

Prostaglandins is a topic covered here in relation diet, pain and inflammation


Feedback of using NAC for endometriosis

‘I have been taking NAC for several weeks and my pain is severely diminished. I was having terrible endo pain (stage 4, several large endometriomas on my pelvic area.’

‘Before I took NAC, I would have such bad abdominal pain that I’d vomit for 6ish hours at the start of every period. When I started taking NAC, I no longer vomit every cycle and my pain is significantly less.’

‘I honestly noticed a big difference in improvement in abdominal pain with periods and throughout my cycle. 600mg twice a day.’

 

While NAC is obviously not a cure for endometriosis it offers a low-risk option to help reduce symptoms. It may be particularly helpful for those hoping to improve fertility or minimize cyst size without significant side effects. 

NAC is a very versatile and effective dietary supplement which along with helping to reduce the symptoms of endometriosis, it is very efficient at supporting the liver, aid in detox, reduces inflammation, supports immune function as well as aiding fertility.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is generally well-tolerated, but it may cause some side effects like nausea or upset stomach for some. To reduce NAC side effects, take the supplement with a small meal to prevent stomach upset, divide your daily dose throughout the day, and ensure adequate hydration.

Note: NAC has blood thinning properties which is why it is not advised to take it long term or before scheduled surgery. Also, as NAC is a chelator it may reduce minerals from the body like zinc and copper, but this only a problem with high doses over a sustained time frame.


https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1781679/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12467525/

https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/240702

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10048621/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3662115/


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About the Author

Hi, I am Carolyn Levett, the Founder here at endo-resolved - I am an Integrative Health Coach having studied nutrition, naturopathy and aromatherapy as well as being a published author of three endometriosis books. I used to suffer from severe endometriosis and was fortunate to be able to regained my health and recover from this disease with the support of nutrition, natural therapies and lots of determination.

My motivation is to help other women with endometriosis to heal their bodies so they may start to overcome this awful disease without having to totally rely on toxic drugs and surgeries which can cause further damage  -  with healing thoughts, Carolyn.



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