| Abstract:
Background: This study assessed the effects of a lactobacillus-based medication on pain intensity scores in women with endometriosis. Materials and Methods: The present randomized pilot placebo-controlled trial was done on eligible women who were surgically and pathologically diagnosed with endometriosis. Thirty-seven participants who had not received hormonal treatment in the last three months, were enrolled and randomized into LactoFem® and placebo groups. Lactobacillus capsules or placebo were administrated orally once a day for 8 weeks. Patients were assessed for pain severity using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores for dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain at baseline and after 8 and 12 weeks post-intervention. Results: Mean age of participants and mean body mass index (BMI) for the LactoFem® and control groups were comparable. All patients had stage 3 and 4 of the disease based on revised American fertility society (AFS) classification of endometriosis. Mean initial pain scores for dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain were 6. 53 ± 2. 88, 4. 82 ± 3. 76 and 4. 19 ± 3. 53, respectively in the LactoFem® group and 5. 60 ± 2. 06, 3. 67 ± 2. 64 and 2. 88 ± 2. 80, respectively for the control group; the two groups had comparable scores in this regard. There was more decrease in pain scores for both dysmenorrhea and the overall pain after 8 weeks of treatment in LactoFem® group compared to the control group. The scores for dysmenorrhea were 6. 53 ± 2. 88 and 5. 60 ± 2. 06 in the LactoFem® and control groups, respectively, before intervention but, after 8-week treatment, these values were 3. 07 ± 2. 49 and 4. 47 ± 2. 13 (P=0. 018), respectively. The changes in overall pain score in the LactoFem® and control group during this period were 7. 33 ± 7. 00 and 4. 11 ± 1. 68, respectively (P=0. 017). Conclusion: This study showed some beneficial effects of lactobacillus administration on endometriosis-related pain (Registration number: IRCT20150819023684N5).
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