Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to uterine mucosa grows outside the uterus. This tissue may occur around the ovaries, fallopian tubes, peritoneum, intestines and bladder. It can cause local inflammation reactions, scar tissue and adhesions.
The symptoms vary greatly from one person to another. Severe menstrual pain is common, butendometriosis can also cause pain outside of menstrual periods, bowel or bladder problems, fatigue and fertility problems. The severity of the pain does not always tell us about the extent of the endometriosis.
Regular treatment may include painkilling, hormonal treatment and surgery. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used in addition, with particular attention being paid to the symptoms and individual pattern in which they occur.
Common symptoms
Endometriosis can cause various symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- severe menstrual pain;
- pain that starts before menstrual periods;
- chronic abdominal or pelvic pain;
- pain during or after intercourse;
- ovulation pain;
- pain in stool, especially during menstrual periods;
- pain or burning sensation when passing urine during menstrual periods;
- diarrhoea, nausea or bloating around menstrual periods;
- low back pain or radiating pain to the legs;
- fatigue;
- difficulty getting pregnant.
Not everyone with endometriosis has the same symptoms. Some women have extensive endometriosis with relatively little pain, while others experience a lot of symptoms with less extensive abnormalities.
Possible causes
The exact cause of Endometriosis is unknown. Probably the disease is caused by a combination of different biological processes.
Factors that may play a role include:
- genetic engineering;
- hormonal influences, including the influence of oestrogen;
- changes in the immune system;
- chronic inflammatory processes;
- retrograde menstrual period, where menstrual blood enters the abdominal cavity via the fallopian tubes.
However, retrograde menstrual periods also occur in women without endemetriosis and therefore do not in itself fully explain the development of the condition.
What can acupuncture do?
Acupuncture can also be used in Endometriosis. The treatment is tailored to your main complaints, the time at which they occur during the cycle and the underlying TCM pattern.
In the case of Endometriosis, Chinese medicine often places a lot of emphasis on the circulation of Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen. At the same time, it looks at why this circulation has been disturbed. This may vary, for example, when cold, tension, fatigue or fluid build-up is at the forefront.
Depending on the picture of complaints, treatment may be directed at:
- improve Qi and Blood circulation;
- To reduce blood stasis and thereby treat pain;
- warm the lower abdomen when Cold plays a role;
- reduce Dampness and Phlegm;
- Support the kidneys in an underlying deficiency;
- support the menstrual cycle.
The treatment can be adjusted during the cycle. Within a phase-oriented TCM approach, around and just before menstrual periods, more emphasis is often placed on promoting the circulation of Qi and Blood stasis and treating Blood stasis when this pattern is present. In the period after menstruation and around ovulation, more attention can be paid to supporting the Kidneys and other underlying deficiency patterns. What approach is always taken depends on the individual complaint picture.
Acupuncture can be used in addition to regular medical treatment, such as pain relief, hormonal treatment or after surgery.
What can Chinese herbal medicine do?
Chinese herbal medicine is also tuned to the individual TCM pattern. Improving blood circulation is often an important part of the treatment, but this is combined with treating the underlying imbalance.
As a result, herbal treatment may vary per person and may also be adjusted during the menstrual cycle.
Depending on the pattern, treatment may be directed at:
- Move blood and reduce Blood stasis;
- Let Qi circulate freely;
- Remove cold from the lower abdomen;
- reduce Dampness and Phlegm;
- Support kidney-Yang or kidney-Yin;
- Feed blood when there is also Blood deficiency.
In the case of Endometriosis, it is often not enough to pay attention only to Blood stasis. Other patterns that are present in addition, such as Liver-Qi-stagnatie, Cold, Dampness-Phlegm or a kidney deficiency are also considered. The herbal treatment is tailored to this combination of patterns and can be adjusted during the course of treatment. Chinese herbs can be used daily between acupuncture treatments.
How does Chinese medicine view endometriosis?
The Western medicine describes Endometriosis by means of Endometriosis tissue outside the womb. In addition, Chinese medicine looks at the overall pattern of symptoms and physical characteristics present in the individual woman.
In the case of Endometriosis, a pattern of Blood stasis in the abdomen is often recognized within TCM. Blood stasis is a TCM concept for a disturbed or insufficient free circulation of Blood. Characteristics that can fit include sharp or stabbing menstrual pain, permanent pain, dark menstrual blood and blood clots. Blood stasis occupies an important place within the TCM approach to Endometriosis.
This does not mean that Blood stasis within Western medicine is the cause of Endometriosis. It is a TCM-pattern that is recognized by a combination of complaints and physical characteristics. In addition, other patterns can be present that help determine the overall picture of complaints. For example, one woman has clear features of Cold, while another Liver-Qi-stagnation, Dampness-Phlegm or a kidney deficiency is recognized. This allows the same Western diagnosis within TCM to lead to different treatment strategies.
The Liver, Kidneys and Spleen are especially relevant within TCM. The Liver is involved in the free movement of Qi and Blood. The kidneys play an important role in the menstrual cycle and reproduction. The Spleen is involved in the formation of Qi and Blood and the processing of moisture.
The Chong Mai also plays an important role. This is a particular meridian that is closely linked to the womb, menstrual period and Blood. In case of menstrual complaints where Blood stasis is recognized, this meridian can therefore take an important place in the treatment.
What is a TCM organ system?
A TCM organ system describes a group of related body functions and is wider than just the anatomical organ with the same name. Read more at TCM basics .
What is a TCM pattern?
A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of complaints and physical characteristics that indicates which imbalance is likely to exist. Thus, the pattern is not a Western diagnosis and is determined on the basis of the overall picture of complaints. Read more at TCM basics .
Below are only the most common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns can occur at the same time. This allows you to recognize yourself in different descriptions. Also, someone with a certain pattern does not have to have all the symptoms mentioned. The pattern is determined on the basis of the overall picture of complaints.
Most common TCM patterns in Endometriosis
Blood stasis
Blood stasis is an important pattern that is recognised within TCM in endometriosis. It is particularly prominent when the menstrual pain is sharp, stingy and clearly localized and associated with dark menstrual blood and clots. Within TCM, endemics are associated both with painful menstrual periods and with gynaecological masses. Blood stasis can play an important role in both.
Common symptoms
- severe menstrual pain;
- sharp or stabbing pain;
- pain in a fixed place;
- pain getting worse before or during menstrual periods;
- dark menstrual blood;
- dark or large blood clots;
- sometimes brown secretion before or after menstruation.
Examples of Western disorders
Endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids and other gynaecological complaints that prevent pronounced menstrual pain and clots.
Liver-Qi-stagnation with Blood stasis
In some women, characteristics of Blood stasis go hand in hand with features of Liver-Qi stagnation. In addition to menstrual pain and clots, there are obvious premenstrual stress, sensitive breasts and emotional complaints. Stress and emotional stress are considered within TCM as factors that can promote Liver-Qi stragnation.
Common symptoms
- menstrual pain;
- tense or painful breasts;
- feeling bloated or tense before menstruation;
- irritability;
- mood changes;
- complaints that may increase during periods of stress;
- dark menstrual periods or blood clots.
Examples of Western disorders
Endometriosis, PMS and menstrual pain.
Cold in the Uterus with Blood stasis
This pattern combines characteristics of Blood stasis with clear signs of Cold. Especially the effect of heat is distinctive: menstrual pain and cramps are often clearly reduced by a jar, hot shower or other form of heat.
Common symptoms
- severe, spasmsing menstrual pain;
- pain that is clearly enhanced by heat;
- feeling cold;
- cold hands and feet;
- dark menstrual blood;
- blood clots;
- sometimes relatively little menstrual blood.
Examples of Western disorders
Endometriosis and menstrual pain in which heat provides clear relief.
Dampness-Phlegm with Blood stasis
In addition to Blood stasis, some women also recognize characteristics of Dampness and Phlegm. Dampness and Phlegm are TCM concepts for a pattern in which the processing and distribution of body fluids is less effective. Besides menstrual pain and clots, especially heavy or full feeling, fluid retention and vaginal secretion can be present.
Common symptoms
- menstrual pain and blood clots;
- a heavy or full feeling in the abdomen;
- bloating;
- fluid retention;
- fatigue;
- vaginal discharge.
Examples of Western disorders
Endometriosis, Endometriomas and other gynaecological complaints where characteristics of Blood stasis and Dampness-Phlegm occur side by side.
Kidney-Yang-deficiency with Blood stasis
This pattern combines characteristics of Blood stasis with characteristics of insufficient Yang of the kidney organ system. Within TCM, kidney-yang refers to heating and activating functions that are important for menstrual cycle and reproduction. Cold and fatigue are more prominent in this pattern.
Common symptoms
- menstrual pain with dark blood or clots;
- feeling cold and cold feet;
- fatigue;
- low back pain;
- frequent urination;
- decreased libido;
- decreased fertility.
Examples of Western disorders
Endometriosis, menstrual pain and impaired fertility with clear cold and emptiness characteristics.
Kidney-Yin-deficiency with Blood stasis
This pattern combines characteristics of Blood stasis with signs of kidney-yin deficiency. Unlike kidney-yang deficiency, this is not Cold but rather heat, dryness and insufficient recovery.
Common symptoms
- menstrual pain with dark blood or clots;
- low back pain;
- fatigue;
- feeling of warmth, especially later in the day;
- night sweats;
- dry mouth;
- dizziness or ringing in the ears;
- decreased fertility.
Examples of Western disorders
Endometriosis and reduced fertility with Yin deficiency characteristics in addition.
Outlook
Endometriosis is a chronic condition. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are not aimed at removing endemic tissue, but can be used additionally with the aim of reducing symptoms such as menstrual and pelvic pain and supporting the menstrual cycle.
The course of treatment depends, among other things, on the severity and duration of the symptoms, possible endemics or adhesions, previous operations, hormonal treatment, fertility problems and the underlying TCM pattern.
Because the symptoms are closely related to the menstrual cycle, the result is usually assessed over several cycles. In the beginning, about one treatment per week is a usual guideline. In case of severe pain, temporary treatment can be more frequent around menstrual periods. When the symptoms decrease, the frequency can be reduced gradually.
In the case of a child's wish, treatment can be rebuilt and more attention can be paid to different stages of the menstrual cycle.
Contact
Do you have Endometriosis and do you want to know whether acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine can be used in addition to your complaints?
During a first consultation, we will discuss your complaints, menstrual cycle, medical history and any regular treatments. On the basis of the overall complaint picture, a personal treatment plan will be drawn up.
You can make an appointment directly online or contact us for more information.