Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic condition, wherein the uterine endometrial tissue (the inner lining) is found growing outside of the uterus, commonly in the pelvic area, ovaries or fallopian tube. It is often quite painful with heavy menstrual bleeding and may be accompanied with pain following sexual intercourse, discomfort with bowel movements, lower back pain that may occur any time during menstrual cycle and fatigue.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic condition, wherein the uterine endometrial tissue (the inner lining) is found growing outside of the uterus, commonly in the pelvic area, ovaries or fallopian tube. It is often quite painful with heavy menstrual bleeding and may be accompanied with pain following sexual intercourse, discomfort with bowel movements, lower back pain that may occur any time during menstrual cycle and fatigue.

Causative Factors :

Though the exact cause is unknown, this condition has a strong genetic predisposition. Retrograde menstruation (backflow of menstrual blood into the tubes and pelvis), peritoneal cells (cells lining the abdomen turn into endometrial cells) or embryonic cells (excess estrogen turns nascent cells into endometrial ones at puberty) transformation, immune disorders are some of the possible explanations. As per Classical Chinese Medicine, liver and spleen are important organs to regulate menstrual cycle. Their pathology such as blood stasis, yang deficiency, and damp heat may lead to endometriosis. Acupuncture corrects that and helps by providing pain relief, reducing inflammation and size of pelvic masses. Therefore it arrests the progression and reduces the recurrence rate.

Methodology :

  • The primary goal with needling, moxibustion, cupping and electrostimulation is to regularise periods, reduce dysmenorrhea, prevent clots and arrest the disease progression.
  • Acupuncture works as an adjunct therapy to conventional medicine in providing the most effective treatment for endometriosis.
  • As Liver is responsible for regulating menstrual cycle, limiting alcohol consumption and adopting a low fat high fibre diet to strengthen the spleen is also most beneficial.
  • Regular exercises, supplements to combat inflammation and counselling to positively influence mental health helps sustain the improvement in the long run.

As per Classical Chinese Medicine, regular Acupuncture sessions in the long run promote production and circulation of Qi, blood and body fluids as well as aid the transformation process by eliminating toxins through sweat, urine and faeces. This, in turn optimises immunity, improves appetite, energy levels and sleep, regularises bowel movements and helps manage stress better.

The safety profile of acupuncture is excellent, with very few adverse events when performed by a trained practitioner.
As no two patients are alike, the duration of the treatment vastly depends on the patient’s age, health habits and the severity of the condition.

Related research papers on acupuncture for endometriosis :