Short answer: there’s some early evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) might help with symptoms of endometriosis, but it’s not a standard or widely accepted treatment yet.
What we’re talking about
- Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing pain, inflammation, and sometimes infertility.
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which increases oxygen levels in the blood and tissues.
Why HBOT might help
There are a few theoretical and research-backed reasons:
- Reduces inflammation: Endometriosis involves chronic inflammation; HBOT may dampen inflammatory responses.
- Improves tissue healing: Higher oxygen levels can promote repair of damaged tissue.
- May affect lesion growth: Some animal and small human studies suggest HBOT could shrink endometriotic lesions or reduce their activity.
- Pain reduction: A few small trials report decreased pelvic pain after treatment.
What the evidence actually says
- Most studies are small, early-stage, or done in animals.
- A handful of small human trials showed improvements in pain and quality of life, but:
- Sample sizes were limited
- Results haven’t been consistently replicated
- Major medical guidelines don’t currently recommend HBOT for endometriosis.
So it’s best thought of as experimental or adjunctive, not a primary treatment.
Bottom line
HBOT is promising but not proven for endometriosis. It might help with symptoms like pain in some cases, but it shouldn’t replace established treatments like:
- Hormonal therapy
- Pain management
- Surgery (in certain cases)
