Endometriosis is a gynaecological disorder which affects as many as one-sixth women of reproductive age. It can result in pelvic pain, irregular and painful periods, and infertility. Surgical treatments do not always bring long-term improvement in symptoms and drug treatments can have unpleasant side effects, such as hot flushes, acne and weight gain. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) may relieve symptoms in the treatment of endometriosis. A systematic review by Cochrane Researchers found some evidence that women had comparable benefits following laparoscopic surgery and suffered fewer side effects if they were given Chinese herbs compared with conventional drug treatments.

There are two trials conducted by the researchers, which together aimed to see CHM's effectiveness for treatment of endometriosis and focused on a total of 158 women. In one trial, CHM provided symptomatic relief comparable to that provided by the hormonal drug gestrinone, but with fewer side effects. In the other trial, CHM was more effective than the hormonal drug danazol, and also resulted in fewer side effects.