Treating Endometriosis with Traditional Chinese Medicine
It is estimated that endometriosis affects 10% of reproductive-age women worldwide. This condition can significantly impact your ability to conceive and can also lead to heavy, irregular, or uncomfortable periods. In some cases, endometriosis might not present any noticeable symptoms until a patient is seeking treatment for infertility.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus. This tissue can adhere to various pelvic organs, including the ovaries, bowel, rectum, bladder, and the delicate lining of the pelvis. Occasionally, though rarely, it can be found outside the pelvic region.
This misplaced tissue behaves like normal endometrial tissue in response to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. As a result, it bleeds and sloughs off just like the uterine lining. However, because there's no way for this tissue to exit the body, it can accumulate, forming masses and lesions that cause inflammation and may affect organ function.
Symptoms of Endometriosis
Pelvic pain is the most common symptom of endometriosis, often intensifying during menstruation. Pain during or after sex, as well as pain related to bowel movements or urination, are also frequent. Other symptoms can include heavy bleeding during periods, bleeding between periods, nausea, changes in bowel habits, and fatigue. It’s important to note that the severity of symptoms does not always correlate with the extent of endometriosis. Some patients with mild endometriosis experience severe symptoms, while others with severe endometriosis might have few or no symptoms.
What Causes Endometriosis?
The exact cause of endometriosis remains unknown, though several theories exist. One leading theory suggests that menstrual blood flows backward through the fallopian tubes into the abdominal cavity, carrying endometrial cells. Other theories propose that endometrial cells might already be present in the abdominal cavity from birth or that cells lining the abdominal and pelvic cavities could transform into endometrial cells. However, the reasons for these cells to change are still unclear.
There is a known genetic link, as women with a mother or sister who has endometriosis are six times more likely to develop the condition themselves. Endometriosis is also more common in women who have never given birth or who had their first pregnancy later in life.
Diagnosing Endometriosis
To diagnose endometriosis, a doctor might perform a pelvic exam and order an ultrasound. However, the most definitive diagnosis comes from a surgical procedure called laparoscopy, which allows the doctor to directly view and possibly remove endometrial implants.
Conventional Treatments for Endometriosis
Treatment for endometriosis varies based on the severity of symptoms, the location of the endometriosis, and whether you are trying to conceive. Options include medications to alleviate pain and inflammation, hormonal therapies to manage the condition, surgery, and, in severe cases, hysterectomy.
Western medical treatment for endometriosis is aimed at eliminating lesions and stopping the hormonal cascade that causes them to grow, which can be very effective but often leads to a recurrence of lesions and symptoms once treatment has ended. Alternatively, Chinese Medicine’s approach is to address the original imbalance which allowed the endometriosis to develop in the first place and treat that together with the outward manifestations (endometrial lesions). Although there is no cure for endometriosis, this approach offers a more proactive, prevention-based methodology for supporting patients living with the condition.
How Chinese Medicine Can Help
Chinese medicine offers valuable support for managing the symptoms of endometriosis. While it doesn’t eliminate endometriosis entirely, it can help alleviate discomfort and manage the progression of the condition.
We often work with patients whose endometriosis affects their quality of life as well as the ability to conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Chinese medicine views endometriosis as a form of blood stagnation. Treatment aims to address not only the stagnation but also the underlying patterns contributing to it.
A thorough evaluation by a practitioner specializing in OB/GYN is crucial to accurately diagnose and develop treatment strategies for your unique presentation.
Research and Efficacy
Chinese Herbal Medicine:
Chinese herbs are an important part of any endometriosis treatment plan. Researchers have suggested that the potential mechanism of Chinese herbal products on endometrial pain is through:
Improving pelvic microcirculation and thinning blood
Inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors
Inhibiting uterine smooth muscle activity and relieving muscle spasm
Acupuncture:
Research indicates that acupuncture can improve blood circulation, regulate hormones, reduce inflammation, and provide pain relief.
Come see us!
At MOONFLOWER, we use a combination of acupuncture points, Chinese herbal medicine, supplements and lifestyle recommendations aimed at enhancing blood circulation, clearing inflammation, and relieving pain, all while addressing the underlying condition.
Depending on the severity of the condition and symptoms, patients should be prepared to dedicate 6-12 months to regular treatment in order to notice improvement.
If you’re dealing with endometriosis, we’re here to support you with personalized care that integrates both conventional and Chinese medicine approaches to improve your well-being and fertility.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36716811/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8272670/
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-herbs-endometriosis/chinese-herbs-show-early-promise-for-endometriosis-idUSTRE56L5YB20090722/
https://www.yinovacenter.com/blog/endometriosis-a-chinese-medicine-approach/
