THE USE OF N-ACETYLCYSTEINE AS A COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory gynecological disease that can compromise women's health and quality of life. In this context, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown potential as a complementary therapy due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to analyze the scientific evidence regarding the use of NAC as a complementary therapy for endometriosis, considering its potential effects on symptoms and fertility. This is a descriptive integrative literature review conducted using the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and PubMed databases. The descriptors “Acetylcysteine” and “Endometriosis” were combined using the Boolean operator AND. Fifteen articles published between 2021 and 2026 in English and Portuguese were selected. The results indicated potential benefits of NAC in reducing endometriosis-related pain, ovarian endometrioma size, and the need for analgesic medication. Promising findings regarding fertility and the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation were also identified. However, inconsistencies were found in the available evidence, particularly regarding reproductive outcomes and endometrioma recurrence. In conclusion, NAC shows potential as a complementary therapeutic approach for endometriosis, although more robust clinical studies are needed to establish its efficacy and safety.