pregnant

N-Acetylcysteine – a key supplement if you’re trying to fall pregnant

For many women, seeking an explanation for why they are not able to fall pregnant is the time they get their Endometriosis diagnosis.

These are some worrying statistics:

  • Between 25 and 50% of women who have difficulty falling pregnant have Endometriosis; and
  • Between 30 and 50% of women with Endometriosis have fertility problems.

The supplement N-Acetylcysteine, or NAC, plays an important role in improving fertility outcomes for women with Endometriosis.

Firstly, what is it?

NAC is the supplement form of the amino acid (protein) cysteine. It’s key role is in helping to replenish the most important antioxidant, glutathione. Glutathione has many important functions, some of which are the regeneration of vitamin E and C; detoxification; functioning of the mitochondria (parts of cells where energy is produced); and the regulation of cell growth and death. Chronic inflammation reduces the amount of glutathione available, and cysteine is needed to produce more.

NAC has been well-researched in relation to Endometriosis and here are a few interesting results:

  • In one study of 92 women, treatment for 3 months with NAC caused endometriomas to reduce but the group that didn’t get the treatment had their endometriomas grow significantly. The same study also saw pain reduction as well as eight pregnancies.
  • In a study of 398 women treated with a NAC in combination with 2 other nutrients, pelvic pain reduced significantly after 3 months, and even more after 6 months of treatment.

The ability of NAC to reduce the size of endometriomas is particularly interesting when we look at infertility: endometriomas are cysts within the ovaries, and they often don’t respond well to medical treatment. They make it more difficult to retrieve eggs and if you are undergoing ovarian stimulation during IVF they can cause severe (additional) pain. They also interfere with ovulation and even damage ovarian tissue.

If you are trying to fall pregnant, I highly recommend taking NAC as a supplement in addition to following an anti-inflammatory diet, especially if you have a history of endometriomas.

 

If you would like to discuss whether a nutritional approach would be beneficial for managing your Endometriosis, why not book an obligation-free Endometriosis SOS Call? You can do so here.

Leave a Reply