Endometriosis…
What is it? How can Chinese Medicine help?
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it.
It is a common disease affecting 1 in 7 Australian women of reproductive age and it is certainly more than just a painful period.
Endometriosis most often affects the reproductive organs, but it has also been found in other areas including the bladder, rectum, uterine wall, as well as joints, lungs and brain.
What are the symptoms?
Endometriosis is a systematic inflammatory disorder most commonly characterised by moderate to severe pelvic pain. However, its impact can extend beyond that alone. Diagnosis is often delayed, taking an average of 6.5-8 years. Symptoms can include…
Diagnosis
Gold standard diagnosis is through laparoscopic surgery and biopsy – keyhole surgery is used to removed endometriosis. Scans and other testing may appear ‘normal’ even if endometriosis is present. Most often it is classified in stages from Stage I to Stage IV.
‘The stage doesn’t always reflect the level of pain or other symptoms you may experience’ – Endometriosis Australia.
Treatment can be based off signs and symptoms, and can begin prior to having a diagnosis.
Treatment
Many find relief with support from
Complementary care may be considered as optional, but it plays an essential role. Supportive tools may include…
How can Chinese Medicine help?
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine is becoming increasingly recognised women’s health and fertility care as supportive therapies for managing pain and improving reproductive health.
TCM views the menstrual cycle as a central part of a woman’s overall health.
Endometriosis, from a TCM perspective is understood as a stagnation of Qi and Blood in the reproductive organs and meridian systems – coming back to one of the key TC principles being ‘Where this is stagnation, there will be pain’.
