TCM to Treat Endometriosis Symptoms

Endometriosis is a female health disorder that occurs when cells from the lining of the womb

(uterus) grow in other areas of the body. Endometriosis can be associated with backache,

painful defecation and/or rectal bleeding, premenstrual spotting, sciatica, urinary frequency and

pain, vomiting, abdominal pain and swelling. Any single endometriosis symptom is troubling, but

in combination can be excruciating. Untreated, endometriosis can become the cause of female

infertility. Although traditional Chinese medicine has no disease category for endometriosis, it

does recognize, categorize, and treat effectively each endometriosis symptom and sign.

At her optimal health, a woman’s menstruation should be painless and accompanied by minimal

pre and postmenstrual signs and symptoms. The menstruate should be of sufficient volume, a

rich, fresh color, and free from clots. The absence of these factors is an endometriosis

symptom. If there is free flow, there is no pain: if there is pain, there is no free flow.

In Chinese medicine, the uterus and the liver are closely related. The liver maintains patency or

free flow of the qi or vital energy of the body. The liver, spleen, and kidney channels run through

the pelvis and all can effect menstruation. If any of these channels is blocked, congested or

deficient, this will usually manifest in women as some sort of menstrual problem.

Chinese medicine believes that each life force has an innate energy flowing throughout its form.

This is called “qi” and qi is also believed to move the blood. The qi can become sluggish or

stuck due to emotional stagnation or stress. It is the liver's job to maintain the free flow of qi.

Stagnant qi is associated with liver depression. The liver is so intimately associated with the

menstrual cycle, liver depression and stagnant qi in women almost always manifests as some

menstrual-related problem. Stagnant qi manifests as pain and distention and is dull, crampy or

colicky. Static blood may be caused by either long-term qi stagnation or by traumatic injury,

including surgery. Its characteristic is localized, fixed, sharp, stabbing or lancinating pain. Blood

clots are common when one's qi is stagnant.

The most common cause of qi stagnation is stress, which often results in liver depression. This

can also become the cause of female infertility. Stagnant qi causes pain, urinary problems,

lower abdominal pain and distention, sciatica, premenstrual nipple sensitivity, irritability,

depression, and headaches.

Accumulation of cold-causing blood stasis also leads to uncomfortable side effects. Coldness and dampness can be generated by over eating cold, damp foods. Cold foods include anything

eaten chilled, frozen and cold. They also include most raw vegetables and fruits, dairy products,

oils, nuts, sugar, fatty foods, and citrus fruits. The signs and symptoms of accumulation of cold

causing blood stasis in the lower burner include cold, fixed pain in the lower abdomen relieved

by warmth, a dark, clotty menstrual discharge, aversion to cold, late or absent period, back pain,

diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite.

The Chinese natural remedy for endometriosis symptoms suggests avoiding fear, anger and

excessive emotions in general. Maintaining an even, free flow of moderate emotions is the

same as maintaining an even, free flow of qi and blood. Just prior and during menstruation

women should not allow themselves to become fatigued. Do not dwell on negative thoughts or

frustrations. Avoid eating cold and raw foods prior to or during periods. Avoid sex during the

period as this reverses the flow of qi and blood from down and out to up and in, and tends to

cause the formation of blood stasis.

Stress reduction, changing jobs, seeking counseling for relationship problems, changing

residence, taking more time off, relinquishing unrealistic goals and expectations, and just in

general adopting a slower, more open attitude no matter what we are doing can help us with

balance. We need to teach ourselves consciously and deliberately to relax. Done daily, at least

twenty continuous minutes, can benefit our overall health.

Exercise can also speed up a sluggish metabolism and increase production of qi and blood.

Aerobic exercise from twenty to thirty minutes every other day increases circulation and body

temperature, and aids digestion, appetite, mood, energy and sleep. Exercise greatly reduces

the severity of any endometriosis symptom or symptom associated with stagnant qi and blood

stasis.

Chinese medicine places great importance on diet, especially on cooked as opposed to raw

food. Cooking makes the nutrients in foods more easily assimilable, resulting in a greater net

gain. Our diet should consist of warm foods. Drinking too much liquid and especially cold liquids

with meals can cause stagnant qi. There are also certain foods that should be eaten in great

moderation. For example, sugar weakens the spleen and, therefore, the healthy creation of qi

and blood. Honey, molasses and maple syrup create dampness and hinder spleen function.

People with liver depression and qi stagnation tend to crave the sweet flavor. Other foods that

can create dampness are nuts, oils, and fats, chocolate, beef and pork, dairy products, fruits,

eggs, and citrus fruits, pineapples, apples and pears. Alcohol is also dampening.

One of Chinese medicine 's main therapies is herbal medicine. Herbs are an excellent

endometriosis natural remedy. Over 5,000 medicinal substances are taken from plants,

minerals, and animal by-products. The ingredients are combined into formulas usually

comprised of eight to fifteen ingredients that work synergistically. The most common way of

ingestion the herbs is through a tea. However, pills, powders, liquids, and dried extracts and

syrups are also used. Herbs are free from side effects. Chinese doctors are constantly updating

and modifying their patient's treatment in order to optimize results. Women with endometriosis

generally require three to six months of intensive Chinese herbal therapy to achieve substantial

amelioration in their condition.

The body comprises points located on pathways at which the energy, qi, traveling through them

can be manipulated and therapeutically adjusted. This is how acupuncture can treat

endometriosis symptoms. Patients may experience the slightest pinch upon insertion and then

any of several sensations as the needle touches the point that is below the skin. These

sensations can include tingling, heat, distention, heaviness, soreness, or an electrical, nervy

feeling. Typically patients will relax deeply and may even fall asleep.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine treat effectively: painful menstruation , menstruation which is

too little or too large in volume, menstruation which is either too early, too late, or which occurs

at no fixed schedule, amenorrhea, PMS, lower abdominal pain, any endometriosis symptom

and infertility. Most menstrual problems can be treated by Chinese medicine within three to six

months. However, the duration of therapy depends to some extent on the length of time the

disease process has been in motion. Patients should expect it to take at least one month of

treatment for every year there has been some problem with their period or in their pelvis in

general.

- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine