Posted By Linda (Liverpool, Merseyside) on 07/08/2012

Thanks Linda

Replied by Art (California) on 02/12/2023

Sandy,

That post was over 10 years ago, so a reply is less likely from the original poster.

Regarding Endometriosis, newer animal studies are showing that melatonin and vitamin D are likely to work against endometriosis through multiple mechanisms of action and multiple pathways, especially melatonin as illustrated in the following studies :

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36401340/

A relevant study quote :

' Melatonin suppressed proliferation, induced apoptosis, and dysregulated calcium homeostasis in endometriotic cells and primary endometriotic stromal cells. Melatonin also caused mitochondrial dysfunction by permeating through the mitochondrial membrane to disrupt redox homeostasis in the endometriotic epithelial and stromal cells. Furthermore, melatonin affected oxidative phosphorylation systems to decrease ATP production in End1/E6E7 and VK2/E6E7 cells. This was achieved through messenger RNA-mediated downregulation of respiratory complex subunits. Melatonin inhibited the PI3K/AKT and ERK1/2 pathways and the mitochondria-associated membrane axis and further suppressed the migration of endometriotic epithelial and stromal cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that tiRNA^GluCTC and tiRNA^AspGTC were associated with the proliferation of endometriosis and that melatonin suppressed the expression of these tiRNAs in primary endometriotic stromal cells and lesions in a mouse model. Thus, melatonin can be used as a novel therapeutic agent to manage endometriosis. '

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9572886/

A relevant quote :

' Importantly, this review has helped to indicate the potential therapeutic capabilities of melatonin for the treatment of endometriosis and its associated symptoms. This is attributed to its many properties, including antioxidation and anti-inflammation, its ability to modulate the endocrine functions via hormonal signaling pathways, and the absence of toxic side effects. Additionally, there is accumulating evidence which illustrates the application of exogenous melatonin to suppress ectopic endometriotic lesions, relieve endometriosis-associated pelvic pain, and enhance the sleeping quality of women with endometriosis. '

This next study is a human study that also showed beneficial effects from melatonin in women with endometriosis :

https://journals.lww.com/pain/Abstract/2013/06000/Efficacy_of_melatonin_in_the_treatment_of.16.aspx

A relevant study quote :

' Endometriosis-associated chronic pelvic pain (EACPP) presents with an intense inflammatory reaction. Melatonin has emerged as an important analgesic, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory agent. This trial investigates the effects of melatonin compared with a placebo on EACPP, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level, and sleep quality. Forty females, aged 18 to 45 years, were randomized into the placebo (n = 20) or melatonin (10 mg) (n = 20) treatment groups for a period of 8 weeks. There was a significant interaction (time vs group) regarding the main outcomes of the pain scores as indexed by the visual analogue scale on daily pain, dysmenorrhea, dysuria, and dyschezia (analysis of variance, P < 0.01 for all analyses). Post hoc analysis showed that compared with placebo, the treatment reduced daily pain scores by 39.80% (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.88–43.01%) and dysmenorrhea by 38.01% (95% CI 15.96–49.15%). Melatonin improved sleep quality, reduced the risk of using an analgesic by 80%, and reduced BNDF levels independently of its effect on pain. This study provides additional evidence regarding the analgesic effects of melatonin on EACPP and melatonin’s ability to improve sleep quality. Additionally, the study revealed that melatonin modulates the secretion of BDNF and pain through distinct mechanisms. '

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9805767/

A relevant study quote :

' By modulating the expression of IL-17 in endometriotic lesions, vitamin D inhibited the development of endometriotic lesions in the endometriosis mice model. '

Another consideration is that boron can increase estrogen levels and borax is approximately 11.3% boron. Melatonin has shown the ability to reduce estrogen levels in the form of Estradiol as discussed here. Estradiol can worsen endometriosis symptoms :

https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/516148

A relevant quote :

' More recently, melatonin-treated female rats showed not only a decrease in LH and estradiol levels [7, 41], but also a significant increase in progesterone [41] and dehydroepiandrosterone [42] plasma levels. Overall, despite the different melatonin dosages, time and route of administration, age, and hormonal status, the data yielded by these studies provide convincing evidence of an adjustment of hormones of the female reproductive system by the melatonin. '

Given this information, melatonin, through multiple mechanisms of action, may help make it possible to use borax or at least make it more tolerable during the cyclic time. Another consideration is possibly discontinuing borax during this cyclic phase and then resuming borax as the cycle allows. Borax can still work this way, but the benefit may just take longer to reach optimal.

Lastly, you didn't mention the dose or frequency of borax you are using, but, based on your positive results in what possibly seems like a relatively short time it may be possible to lower your current dose and still get benefit from borax.

Art

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