If you are trying to conceive with endometriosis, you may be interested to learn that extracts from tea and grapes may be able to help. A study - published in the medical journal Human Reproduction, 2013 - concluded that an extract from green tea and resveratrol, an antioxidant derived from grapes, may be able to deter the growth of endometriosis. These new techniques may be especially helpful after laparoscopy to keep re-growth of endometrial implants at bay.

This study sought to evaluate whether epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and resveratrol may be able to effectively inhibit the growth and survival of endometriotic-like lesions in vitro using cultured human endometrial epithelial cells. The results demonstrated that tea and grapes may help your pelvis to become more baby friendly if you have endometriosis. The researchers concluded that:

"Resveratrol and EGCG (from green tea) exerted a potent inhibitory effect on the development of endometriosis in a BALB/c murine model and on the survival of EECs (human endometrial epithelial cells)."

Resveratrol and EGCG are both polyphenols and are know to possess strong antioxidant properties, both have also demonstrated significant anti-estrogen activity which may be responsible - in part - for their anti-endometriosis activity. EGCG is also known to have an anti-angiogenic effect; anti-angiogenic activity simply means that a substance can deter the growth of new blood vessels which is critical for both tumor formation and endometriosis growth. Substances such as EGCG which can curb the growth of new blood vessels are thought to be able to put the brakes on endometriosis and may help existing endometriosis to regress.

This study combined research on both animals and humans: the researchers tracked the effect of EGCG or resveratrol supplements over 4 weeks in fifty-six mice with endometriosis. In the human arm of the study, biopsies were taken from 16 women with untreated endometriosis - and 15 controls - who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy for infertility. The study discovered that:

"In the mouse model, both treatments significantly reduced the mean number and the volume of established lesions..."

Both treatments were able to: significantly curb cell proliferation, reduce the density of blood vessels and trigger apoptosis - or cell death - within endometriosis lesions. All these elements are promising signs of endometriosis regression. The study concluded that:

"Both compounds induced reduction in human EEC (human endometrial epithelial cells) proliferation (P < 0.05 versus basal) and increased apoptosis (P < 0.05 versus basal) in primary cultures."

If you are struggling to conceive with endometriosis, ask your physician whether green tea extracts and resveratrol supplements may be helpful for you.

Important note: This article is intended for purely informational purposes and is not designed to replace medical or dietetic advice for which you should consult a physician or dietitian.

Human Reproduction, Volume 28, Issue, (January 2013), p. 178-188
ISSN: 0268-1161, DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des369 Oxford University Press
Natural therapies assessment for the treatment of endometriosis
Ricci, A.G.1; Olivares, C.N.2; Bilotas, M.A.1; Bastón, J.I.1; Singla, J.J.1; Meresman, G.F.1; Barañao, R.I.1