Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, often throughout the pelvis, causing pain and sometimes infertility. It affects around 1 in 10 women and can be debilitating, impacting physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.
Understanding the Causes of Endometriosis
Endometriosis was once thought to be purely a hormonal issue, but emerging research suggests it may also involve autoimmune and inflammatory processes. This broader understanding helps explain why some natural treatments can be effective at reducing symptoms, even when conventional treatments have limited success.
Conventional Treatments for Endometriosis
Conventional treatments typically involve hormone suppression with synthetic drugs, surgical removal of tissue, or the insertion of an IUD. For women with mild to moderate symptoms who wish to avoid these interventions, natural medicine can help regulate the immune system, calm inflammation, and reduce pain. Herbal medicine and acupuncture can also be used after surgery to slow regrowth of endometrial tissue, or as an alternative to hormonal treatments for women trying to conceive.
Endometriosis – How Chinese medicine Can Help
In Chinese medicine, endometriosis is considered a condition of stagnation, where Blood and Qi are not flowing freely in the uterus and pelvis, resulting in pain. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatments aim to restore free flow, reduce pain, relieve stress, and promote healing. A recent systematic review examining yoga, acupuncture, exercise, and electrotherapy for endometriosis found that “only acupuncture has demonstrated a significant improvement in outcomes.” Another review reported that acupuncture can alleviate dysmenorrhea pain and reduce peripheral blood levels of CA-125—a compound often elevated in women with endometriosis—yielding better reductions than control treatments regardless of the intervention used.
Acupuncture for Endometriosis Pain Relief
Pain is one of the most common and distressing symptoms of endometriosis. Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points to improve the flow of Blood and Qi in the pelvis, reduce inflammation, and calm the nervous system. Many women report significant relief from menstrual cramps, pelvic pain, and discomfort associated with endometriosis. Regular acupuncture treatments can help manage pain, support emotional wellbeing, and improve overall quality of life.
Endometriosis and Fertility
Chinese medicine considers endometriosis a condition of stagnation, where Blood and Qi are not flowing freely in the uterus and pelvis, resulting in pain and impaired fertility. Treatments aim to restore this free flow, reduce pain, regulate hormones, and support conception naturally.
Diet and Lifestyle Strategies
Diet and nutrients play a key role in managing endometriosis. Gluten and dairy can irritate the immune system and promote inflammation, and may be best avoided. Turmeric, used in Chinese medicine to activate Blood and move Qi, is also a powerful anti-inflammatory herb in Western herbal traditions. Zinc deficiency has been linked to endometriosis and may play a role in its development, while maintaining optimal zinc levels supports gut health and immune function.
Creating a Holistic Care Plan
Combining acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, nutritional support, diet, and lifestyle changes can provide long-term relief from endometriosis symptoms. Working holistically helps manage pain, support fertility, calm inflammation, and improve overall wellbeing.