Melatonin and Gynecologic Disorders: A Literature Review

Abstract

The present study aimed to review the relevant literature for studies describing the treatment of gynecologic disorders with melatonin, and the clinical relevance of melatonin supplementation in the field of gynecology. We searched the following databases for articles published between 2011 and 2022 that investigated the pathophysiology of the relationship between melatonin and gynecological pathologies in humans: PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases. The 10 included studies primarily focused on the effects of melatonin on patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), as a treatment to reduce pain and improve sleep quality in gynecological pathologies, and as a treatment option for endometriosis. The findings of the present literature review suggested that melatonin can be beneficial in the treatment of PCOS, dysmenorrhea, and endometriosis. The effects of melatonin on MR1A and MR1B receptors, which are present  in the epithelial cells of the endometrial gland, in addition to its known analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties were also addressed. We concluded that there is a vast field of research on melatonin supplementation and its effects on gynecologic disorders. We also verified the prospects of its use as a therapeutic agent in the auxiliary treatment of gynecological diseases.