By acupuncturist, Issy Jones
Endometriosis is often described as a “painful period condition,” but the reality is much more complex.
It is estimated that 1 in 9 Australian women and people assigned female at birth live with endometriosis, yet many still experience significant delays before receiving a diagnosis. So for some, this journey can take years.
As a practitioner of Chinese medicine, I see how deeply this condition can affect daily life. Not just through pelvic pain, but through fatigue, digestive symptoms, inflammation, and the emotional toll of living with persistent symptoms.
While medical diagnosis and management are essential, many people also seek additional ways to support their health and wellbeing alongside their medical care.
Understanding Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. These lesions can be found in areas such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, bladder, and pelvic lining.
Common symptoms can include:
- Pelvic pain
- Painful periods
- Pain during ovulation or intercourse
- Digestive symptoms such as bloating or bowel discomfort
- Fatigue
However, symptoms can vary widely, and the severity of symptoms does not always correlate with the extent of the disease.
The Role of Inflammation and the Immune System
Emerging research suggests that endometriosis involves more than hormonal factors alone (Rathod et al., 2024). With studies indicating that chronic inflammation, immune system dysregulation, and altered pain signalling may all contribute to how the condition develops and how symptoms are experienced.
This complexity is one reason many people explore integrative approaches that consider the broader systems of the body.
Acupuncture and Endometriosis
Research has explored acupuncture as a supportive therapy for people experiencing endometriosis-related symptoms. Some studies have suggested acupuncture may help in alleviating dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain associated with endometriosis, as well as improve quality of life, and lowering the recurrence rate. (Chen et al., 2024). With proposed mechanisms including; modulating abnormal levels of prostaglandins, β-endorphins, dynorphins, electrolytes, and substance P.
In clinical practice, treatment is always individualised with practitioners always considering factors such as menstrual history, pain patterns, digestion, sleep, and stress levels when developing a treatment approach.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is also great in supporting menstrual health and address patterns associated with pain and stagnation.
Lin et al 2022 conducted a retrospective clinical study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine that examined 338 women with endometriosis-associated pain who received individualised herbal decoctions for between 3 and 24 months. The study reported reductions in pain scores, menstrual symptom severity, and anxiety measures over the treatment period, with only minor side effects observed.
In clinical practice, herbal medicine is prescribed in personalised formulas based on the individual presentation, and may be considered as part of a broader integrative care plan alongside conventional medical management.
Endometriosis awareness is about more than recognising the condition, it’s about listening to experiences that have often been overlooked. If you are navigating endometriosis, know that you are not alone, and there are many avenues of support that may be explored alongside your medical care.
If you would like to explore how acupuncture or Chinese medicine may support your health, you are welcome to book an appointment to discuss your individual situation.
Book an appointment with Issy.
Reference list:
Chen, C., Li, X., Lu, S., Yang, J., & Liu, Y. (2024). Acupuncture for clinical improvement of endometriosis-related pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 310(4), 2101–2114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-024-07675-z
Lin, Y., Hou, R., Zhang, T., Chung, J. P. W., Wang, C. C., & Zhao, R. (2022). Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Endometriosis Associated Pain. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 50(4), 1095–1111. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X22500446
Rathod, S., Shanoo, A., & Acharya, N. (2024). Endometriosis: A Comprehensive Exploration of Inflammatory Mechanisms and Fertility Implications. Cureus, 16(8), e66128. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.66128