Islington Acupuncture

Acupuncture Therapy Rooms

Acupuncture for Endometriosis & Adenomyosis

Endometriosis is a complex inflammatory disease with links to the immune system, nervous system hormonal regulation and gut microbiome – not simply a condition defined by lesions. Adenomyosis is similarly complex (and is discussed in more detail below).

What is the difference between period pain and endometriosis? Period pain affects many women of reproductive age. It tends to last a few days around the start of the period and is usually relieved by pain killers. Endometriosis is estimated to affect 10% of UK women.

Distinctive symptoms of endometriosis include:

  • Severe or progressive pelvic or lower back pain
  • Pain that disrupts daily activities
  • Pain during or after sex
  • Heavy or clotted periods
  • Bloating, IBS or erratic bowel function
  • Persistent fatigue and low mood

Can acupuncture help reduce endometriosis related pain? 

Acupuncture is thought to help with endometriosis through several mechanisms:

  • Anti-inflammatory effects – reduces the prostaglandins and inflammatory chemicals that drive endometriosis pain (Giese, Kwon and Armour, 2023)
  • Pain processing – helps regulate the nervous system’s response to pain which is relevant given that endometriosis is associated with central sensitisation
  • Pelvic blood flow – supports healthy uterine and pelvic circulation, which may ease congestive pain
  • Hormonal balance – helps to regulate hormonal fluctuations across the cycle, supporting both pain and mood

At Islington Acupuncture, we take a whole-body approach – addressing sleep, stress, gut health and inflammation. We take a detailed medical case history and design a personalised treatment strategy. This will involve acupuncture and a combination of massage, heat therapy, dietary advice and herbal medicine. 

The definitive test for endometriosis is a pelvic laparoscopy. Two newer non-invasive diagnostic tests, EndoSure and Endotest – have been recommended for use in the NHS in NICE’s draft early use guidance (July 2026), whilst further evidence on their accuracy is collected. EndoSure detects endometriosis by measuring electrical signals in the gut using sensor pads on the abdomen; Endotest analyses a saliva sample for biological markers associated with endometriosis. These are worth discussing with your GP, particularly if you have normal clinical examination results, inconclusive imaging results or awaiting a laparoscopy.

Acupuncture, the gut microbiome and endometriosis

Gastrointestinal symptoms – such as bloating, gas, erratic bowel function – are extremely common in women with endometriosis. This connection is increasingly linked to the gut microbiome. Women with endometriosis appear to show distinct patterns of gut dysbiosis, which may contribute to systemic inflammation, impaired immune function, altered oestrogen metabolism and disease progression (Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2024; Reproduction and Fertility, 2024).

Acupuncture’s effects on gut motility and inflammation are well-established, although studies specifically in women with endometriosis are limited.

In clinic, we combine acupuncture with dietary guidance for endometriosis-related digestive symptoms and refer to nutritional therapy or functional medicine practitioners where appropriate.

Acupuncture for endometriosis and fertility

Endometriosis can cause a reduction in fertility for both natural conception and assisted techniques, through mechanisms including anatomical damage to the tubes and ovaries, reduced egg quality, a pro-inflammatory environment in the pelvis, impaired implantation and immune function. It is therefore helpful to work on these underlying inflammatory drivers to support fertility.

What is adenomyosis?

Adenomyosis is an inflammatory condition in which endometrial tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, responding to hormonal changes in the cycle to thicken, break down and bleed – causing heavy, painful periods. It is frequently missed; MRI provides the most accurate diagnosis. It is not uncommon to have both endometriosis and adenomyosis simultaneously.

Adenomyosis can have a negative impact on fertility, particularly at the implantation stage, due to changes to the uterine wall alongside inflammatory and immune factors. 

Acupuncture treatment for adenomyosis

Your first appointment includes a detailed case history covering your symptoms, cycle, medical history and general health. We use this to build a personalised treatment plan, which may include:

  • Acupuncture and electroacupuncture
  • Heat therapy
  • Dietary guidance
  • Referral where appropriate (Chinese Herbal Medicine, Functional Medicine)

For endometriosis and adenomyosis, treatment is typically planned across several months. We recommend starting with six weekly sessions and reviewing progress together. Treatment draws on the shared inflammatory mechanisms with endometriosis, and acupuncture’s documented effects on pain, inflammation, pelvic blood flow and hormone balance. We work as part of your wider healthcare picture, not as a replacement for medical care.

What the research shows

The evidence for Traditional Chinese Medicine and endometriosis is growing:

  • A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that acupuncture ‘demonstrated clinically relevant improvements in pelvic pain and should be considered as a potential treatment intervention’ for endometriosis – while noting that overall evidence certainty is currently low to moderate, and that larger trials are needed (Giese, Kwon and Armour, 2023).
  • A 2024 meta-analysis of 14 RCTs (793 patients) found acupuncture was associated with reductions in pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, improved quality of life, and lower recurrence – although study quality remains a limitation (Chen et al., 2024).
  • Chinese Herbal Medicine has a growing evidence base for endometriosis. A 2026 network meta-analysis of over 100 trials found blood-invigorating herbal formulas, used alongside conventional treatment, improved pain, hormone regulation, and reduced recurrence compared with conventional treatment alone (Liu et al., 2026).