A Western primer of Chinese herbal therapy in endometriosis and infertility.

Endometriosis is a disease that affects approximately 10% of all reproductive-aged women and the prevalence rises to 20-50% in infertile women. There is growing evidence that medicinal Chinese herbs with pain-alleviating and anti-inflammatory properties may be useful in the treatment of endometriosis and infertility, but the mechanisms of action of these herbs have yet to be investigated. In addition, studies of adequate design, sample size and appropriate control are lacking. Therefore, prospective randomized, controlled studies to evaluate the efficacy, mechanism of action and toxicities of Chinese herbs in the treatment endometriosis and infertility are needed.