What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is estimated to affect 1 in 10 women in the UK. Endometrial tissue travels from the uterus to other sites, often around the reproductive organs, bowel and bladder. Endometriosis can cause intense pain and can impact fertility. New research is demonstrating that endometriosis is not just about the lesions; it’s a complex systemic, inflammatory disease with links to the immune system and the gut.
Adenomyosis is a similar condition and is discussed in more detail below.
What’s the difference between period pain and endometriosis?
Over 90% of women experience period pain at sometime in their lives. Pain that lasts a few days around the start of the period, and is relieved by pain killers is most likely not due to endometriosis.
The definitive test for endometriosis is a pelvic laparoscopy. But it has distinctive symptoms: pain of the lower abdomen or back; pain that stops you doing normal activities; pain during or after sex; heavy clotted periods; IBS or SIBO (causing bloating and erratic bowel function); fatigue; depression.
Can acupuncture help reduce Endometriosis related pain?
Acupuncture is known to help with pain by promoting circulation in the location of the pain. It also stimulates the production of messenger cells which can trigger desensitisation in areas of the brain responsible for pain perception.
Acupuncture has also been found to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Both endometriosis and adenomyosis are inflammatory diseases, so this is another way in which acupuncture can help to calm these conditions.
For both endometriosis and adenomyosis we take a detailed medical case history and design a personalised treatment strategy. This will involve acupuncture and a mix of massage, heat therapy, exercises, dietary advice and herbal medicine.
Acupuncture for endometriosis and poor digestion
Up to 90% of women with endometriosis also have digestive problems (bloating, gas, IBS, erratic bowel function). Women with endometriosis tend to have high levels of toxic bacteria in their gut.
Chinese medical theory makes links between digestive health and many gynaecological conditions including endometriosis. We use acupuncture alongside dietary guidance for women with endometriosis and adenomyosis. We also follow research in western nutritional science and the impact of the microbiome on gynaecological health.
Acupuncture for endometriosis and fertility
Endometriosis can cause a reduction in fertility for both natural conception and assisted techniques like IVF. It is therefore helpful to work on the underlying causes of endometriosis to promote fertility.
We take a detailed medical case history and design a personalised treatment strategy. This will involve acupuncture, also maybe electro-acupuncture, massage, exercises, dietary advice and herbal medicine.
Acupuncture treatment for adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is an inflammatory condition in which endometrial tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. The tissue responds to the hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle and thickens, breaks down and bleeds leading to heavy and painful periods. Adenomyosis is hard to diagnose and is often missed. MRI provides the most accurate diagnosis.
Adenomyosis can have a negative impact on fertility. This tends to be at the implantation stage and is possibly due to changes to the attachment sites on the uterine wall, as well as inflammatory and immune issues associated with both conditions.
Adenomyosis occurs most frequently in perimenopausal women, and women with a history of uterine surgery such as Caesarian section or fibroid removal. It’s not uncommon for women to have both endometriosis and adenomyosis.
In this article, BBC presenter Naga Munchetty describes the intense and frequent pain she experiences as a result of adenomyosis, and her difficulty in getting a diagnosis.