Turmeric and Curcumin Benefits for Women – PCOS, Endometriosis, Perimenopause, and More...

Turmeric and Curcumin Benefits for Women – PCOS, Endometriosis, Perimenopause, and More

By Suzanne Fenske, MD, FACOG, ABOIM, MSCP

With so many supplements available and new ones hitting the market all the time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and confused. While it’s unlikely that a single supplement will solve your health concerns, a well-placed, high-quality, science-backed supplement can be very effective.

Turmeric, and its active constituent curcumin, have a long history of use in herbalism and traditional medicine, as well as modern scientific support. We understand how turmeric works in the body and how it may be beneficial for some inflammatory conditions. Plus, we are learning more all the time.

Today’s article will walk you through turmeric, how it may be beneficial for various women’s health concerns, and what to look for when choosing a product. Keep reading as we explore:

• What is turmeric? What is curcumin?
• How curcumin works in the body
• Research on curcumin supplementation and women’s health
• Best practices from an integrative medicine approach

What is Turmeric? What About Curcumin?

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is the bright orange spice from the ginger family used in Indian and southwest Asian cuisine. In cooking, turmeric is traditionally used as the fresh rhizome or a dried powder combined with other spices. In addition to a long culinary tradition, turmeric has been used for centuries in herbal medicine, including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Curcumin is the primary polyphenol compound in turmeric, giving it its bright orange color and medicinal properties. Curcumin includes three naturally occurring curcuminoids (curcumin, curcumin II, and curcumin III) that make up about 3% of turmeric powder. Turmeric has more than 300 bioactive components, of which curcumin is the most well-studied.

Curcumin works through several mechanisms in the body, providing beneficial anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial effects. Not only has it been used historically as an herbal approach to a wide range of illnesses, but modern research helps confirm these benefits.

Health Benefits of Curcumin

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are underlying causes of chronic diseases, from diabetes, obesity, heart disease, to autoimmune diseases and other women’s health concerns.

Much of curcumin’s benefits are due to its strong antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants help neutralize free radical compounds in the body, which can come from toxins, pathogens, and even normal cellular processes, and can damage cells and DNA. Curcumin supplementation reduces markers of oxidative stress.

Another primary action attributed to curcumin is its ability to inhibit inflammatory messengers and pathways. Together, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress benefits health and may help prevent chronic conditions.

Because of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms that curcumin promotes, supplementation may be a helpful integrative tool with a variety of benefits, including:

• Improved digestion
• Reduced joint discomfort and pain
• Immune support
• Heart health
• Mood support
• Menstrual cycle comfort

Curcumin for Women’s Health

Let’s explore how curcumin may be supportive for women’s health concerns, including PCOS, endometriosis, and perimenopause.

PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex metabolic and endocrine disorder affecting 6 to 20% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is a collection of symptoms, and women may experience weight gain, insulin resistance, androgen excess, irregular or anovulatory cycles, and fertility challenges.

Curcumin supplementation may offer some benefit to women with PCOS. Although there is variability in research results, some research suggests curcumin may:

• Lower androgen levels (DHEA and testosterone)
• Reduce insulin and fasting glucose levels
• Improve ovulation
• Reduce blood markers of inflammation
• Improve lipid markers
• Promote weight loss

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition in which endometrial tissue from the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It affects up to 10% of reproductive-aged women and is associated with painful periods, painful sex, and fertility challenges.

Curcumin has been shown to have beneficial effects on pathways involved in endometriosis in animal models, including reducing inflammation, balancing hormone levels, promoting apoptosis (cell death of unwanted cells), and inhibiting angiogenesis (the growth of blood vessels to new tissues). While human clinical trials are needed, the high safety profile of curcumin and its strong anti-inflammatory actions make it an interesting supplement to consider as an adjunct to other treatments.

Painful Periods and PMS

Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are associated with increased inflammation, and reducing inflammation through lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation may be beneficial for symptom reduction.

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials suggests that curcumin may be a beneficial complementary strategy for women with PMS and period pain by reducing inflammation, although the researchers note that we still need more data to clarify the dose and duration of treatment.

Perimenopause and Menopause

Perimenopause is the hormonal transition time before menopause, the one-year mark without a period. During this time, women experience physical changes and symptoms, and the low-hormone postmenopausal state is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease.

The loss of estrogen can influence inflammation, which may account for some symptoms and increased disease risk. Research suggests curcumin may modulate estrogen production, alter the gut microbiome, and impact bone health, although we need more clinical trials to assess outcomes in perimenopausal and postmenopausal populations.

One study showed that oral curcumin supplementation (500mg) helped reduce hot flashes in postmenopausal women after only four weeks of use.

Autoimmunity

Autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women and are more likely to arise or flare during times of hormonal transitions because of the interplay between hormones and the immune system. While autoimmune diseases are characterized by the part of the body they affect, they all share a similar process: the immune system attacks self-tissue, which triggers inflammation.

Lowering inflammation is beneficial for managing autoimmunity, and curcumin may be one tool to do just that, with evidence for multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis).

Turmeric Best Practices and Recommendations

From an integrative perspective, we don’t want to only suppress symptoms with curcumin or other anti-inflammatory supplements or medications; we want to understand the root cause of inflammation and address that too. Infections, toxins, stress, poor habits, nutrient deficiencies, and other factors contribute to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, so true healing requires a deeper dive.

However, while we identify underlying causes and work to address them, curcumin may help control inflammation and provide relief.

Start with a food-as-medicine approach by including turmeric in your diet. Turmeric contains curcumin, along with all the other bioactive compounds found in the whole food, many of which likely work synergistically with one another. For best results, combine turmeric with fat (like ghee or coconut milk) and black pepper.

Then, ask your provider about guidance on curcumin supplements. Curcumin tends to have low bioavailability, so we often suggest liposomal formulas. A typical dose is 500 or 1000 mg per day. Additionally, we suggest practitioner brands that use third-party testing, so you can be sure what is in the capsule matches what’s on the label, without contamination or ineffective dosages. You can find our trusted products here.

While curcumin is generally safe and side effects are rare, it may interact with certain medications or be contraindicated in individuals with specific medical conditions. Please always work with your integrative provider for personalized guidance.

As far as supplements go, curcumin is one option for which science and clinical experience back up claims. If you’d benefit from anti-inflammatory support, TārāMD can help you implement a personalized anti-inflammatory protocol and use targeted supplements, including curcumin.

References

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