Bee Propolis May Improve Fertility in Women with Endometriosis

Study:
Women with endometriosis who have been unable to get pregnant may have a more successful outcome by taking bee propolis, according to a preliminary study in Fertility and Sterility (2003;80:S32). This is encouraging for the millions of women with endometriosis who are suffering from infertility.

In the new preliminary study, 40 women with mild endometriosis and primary infertility (i.e., they had never been pregnant) who had unsuccessfully tried to get pregnant for at least two years were assigned to receive 500 mg twice a day of bee propolis or placebo for nine months.

Women taking bee propolis had a significantly higher pregnancy rate (60%) than those taking the placebo (20%). No adverse effects were reported by the women taking bee propolis.

Bastyr Center for Natural Health

Comments:

Endometriosis is a condition where cells from the uterine lining began to grow in other areas within the pelvic cavity. The symptoms of having endometriosis are generally adhesions, menstrual irregularities, painful periods, premenstrual syndrome, and infertility.

The diagnosis can be difficult, since surgery is the only way to accurately identify endometriosis. Studies suggest that 7 to 10% of all women in the United States have endometriosis. It is the third leading cause of gynecological hospitalization and the leading cause of hysterectomy.

In the past surgery was the only option for helping endometriosis, but now there are more natural options available. One of them being supplementation with bee propolis


Propolis is a bee product collected by the worker bees from the leaves and bark of trees, they particularly like poplar and conifer trees. Propolis along with beeswax is one of the main ingredients used to construct their hives.

“Test tube studies, although preliminary, suggest that propolis may have strong anti-inflammatory effects.” Endometriosis usually a painful condition due to the body’s inflammatory response. Propolis acts as an anti-inflammatory, therefore reducing the pain. Several studies suggest that oral propolis is useful in treating the common cold and intestinal parasites. Other studies have shown that topical propolis helps against genital herpes, cold sores, dental caries, periodontal disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.