Curcumin (turmeric) & Endometriosis

Written from the studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11.. Every number below comes from a study listed under Sources.

The claim

Posts online say that curcumin (turmeric) helps with endometriosis.

Where research stands

We found 28 published papers on curcumin (turmeric) and endometriosis. They were published between 2009 and 2026. 3 of them are studies in people. 3 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 11 were studies in animals, and 3 were only in cells in the lab. 5 papers are reviews that sum up other studies.

• 3In people3 with a comparison group
• 11In animals
• 3Only in the lab

What the studies found

We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.

Verdict

Sources

1. Add-on effect of curcumin to dienogest in patients with endometriosis: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.2025 · Phytomedicine · Randomised trial
2. Nanomicelle curcumin improves oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and assisted reproductive techniques outcomes in endometriosis cases: a randomized clinical trial.2025 · Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol · Randomised trial
3. Effect of curcumin on painful symptoms of endometriosis: A triple-blind randomized controlled trial.2024 · Phytother Res · Randomised trial
4. Impact of curcumin, quercetin, or resveratrol on the pathophysiology of endometriosis: A systematic review.2022 · Phytother Res · Review
5. Therapeutic potential of curcumin in endometrial disorders: Current status and future perspectives.2022 · Drug Discov Today · Review
6. Potential Health Benefits of Curcumin on Female Reproductive Disorders: A Review.2021 · Nutrients · Review
7. Curcumin and Endometriosis.2020 · Int J Mol Sci · Review
8. Curcumin and endometriosis: Review on potential roles and molecular mechanisms.2018 · Biomed Pharmacother · Review
9. Curcumin inhibits angiogenesis in endometriosis by regulating miR-495-3p expression in M2 macrophage-derived sEVs.2026 · Int Immunopharmacol · In animals
10. Curcumin Alleviates Endometriosis in Sexually Mature Female Mice by Targeting PKA and Inhibiting De Novo Estrogen Synthesis.2026 · Biomedicines · In animals
11. Curcumin modulates the function of SPP1+ macrophages via NF-κB signaling to alleviate endometriosis.2026 · Int Immunopharmacol · In animals
12. Curcumin treats endometriosis in mice by the HIF signaling pathway.2022 · Am J Transl Res · In animals
13. Curcumin-loaded nanofibers for targeting endometriosis in the peritoneum of a mouse model.2019 · J Mater Sci Mater Med · In animals
14. Evaluation of serum cancer antigen 125, resistin, leptin, homocysteine, and total antioxidant capacity in rat model of endometriosis treated with Curcumin.2019 · Physiol Rep · In animals
15. Inhibitory effect of curcumin in human endometriosis endometrial cells via downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor.2017 · Mol Med Rep · In the lab
16. Curcumin inhibits endometriosis endometrial cells by reducing estradiol production.2013 · Iran J Reprod Med · In the lab
17. Curcumin attenuates TNF-α-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and proinflammatory cytokines in human endometriotic stromal cells.2012 · Phytother Res · In the lab
18. [Expression of Concern] Inhibitory effect of curcumin on angiogenesis in ectopic endometrium of rats with experimental endometriosis.2026 · Int J Mol Med · Other paper
19. Curcumin modulates oxidative stress to inhibit pyroptosis and improve the inflammatory microenvironment to treat endometriosis.2024 · Genes Dis · Other paper
20. Transition metallo-curcumin complexes: a new hope for endometriosis?2022 · J Mater Chem B · Other paper
21. Effectiveness of the integration of quercetin, turmeric, and N-acetylcysteine in reducing inflammation and pain associated with endometriosis. In-vitro and in-vivo studies.2020 · Minerva Ginecol · Other paper

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