03/19/2026
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a compound best known for supporting the body’s antioxidant defenses.
It helps increase glutathione, one of the body’s most important molecules for protecting cells from oxidative stress and regulating inflammation.
Researchers have explored NAC in several medical contexts, including ovarian endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and can cause pain and fertility challenges.
In a clinical study involving 120 women with ovarian endometriosis, participants followed this protocol:
• 600 mg NAC�• three times per day�• for three consecutive days per week�• over a three-month period
Researchers observed several improvements during the trial:
• reduced pelvic pain associated with endometriosis�• decreased size of ovarian endometriomas�• lower CA-125 levels, a marker often associated with inflammatory activity�• reduced use of pain medications
Among participants trying to conceive, a number also achieved spontaneous pregnancy within six months.
Important context:
This is promising research, but NAC is not a universal treatment and larger clinical trials are still needed to confirm long-term effectiveness and safety.
Still, the findings highlight something researchers are increasingly recognizing:
Oxidative stress and inflammation may play a significant role in endometriosis and targeting those pathways could open new therapeutic options.