The Effect of Garlic Tablets on the Endometriosis-Related Pains: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Endometriosis is a common chronic inflammatory disease. Garlic contains components that have antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects. The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of garlic on endometriosis symptoms. This was a randomized placebo-controlled triple-blind clinical trial. A convenience sample of 60 women was randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention group received usual care supplemented with 400\u2009mg garlic tablets, and the placebo group received identical placebo tablets. A four-part Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to measure the severity of pains. The pains were measured on four occasions (before the intervention and on one-, two-, and three-month follow-ups). Data were analyzed using the t-test, chi-square, repeated measures ANOVA, and ANCOVA by SPSS 16. The overall severity of pain reduced from 6.51\u2009±\u20090.86 to 1.83\u2009±\u20091.25 in the intervention group (p\u2009<\u20090.05). It increased from 6.41\u2009±\u20091.12 to 6.65\u2009±\u20091.37 in the control group (p\u2009=\u20090.02). The repeated measures ANOVA showed that there is a significant difference in the change of pain scores between intervention and control groups (p\u2009<\u20090.001, np2\u2009=\u20090.572). Garlic extract can reduce pelvic and back pain, dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia which are important symptoms of endometriosis.