Endometriosis is a disorder in which the cells that form the lining of the uterus or endometrium grow outside the uterus. This abnormal cell growth is most commonly found on the ovaries, the lining of the pelvic cavity, and fallopian tubes. It may also be found in the bladder, intestines, or some other parts of the body.
The incidence of this disease is 6-8% of the population, it affects approximately two million women in the UK, most of which are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40 years of age. About 40-60% of period pain and 20-30% of infertility are caused by endometriosis.
Each month the endometrium builds up in the uterus then breaks down and sheds off, resulting in vaginal bleeding or menstruation. It is speculated that this same cycle occurs when the endometrial tissue is located outside the uterus. However, endometrial tissue outside the uterus that sheds off and bleeds is trapped inside the body and is slowly absorbed. This process can create pain and inflammation and may lead to the development of local lesions, masses, and larger amounts of endometriosis.
Different location of endometriosis might cause different symptoms. However, the most common symptoms include:
- Painful, heavy, or irregular periods
- Pain during or after sex
- Infertility
- Irritable bowels
- Fatigue and lower back pain
A young or middle age woman with one or more of the above symptoms may be suffering from endometriosis. In western medicine endometriosis is usually treated with hormones and surgery. Synthetic hormones always cause some side effects, such as liver and kidney damage. In some cases, the symptoms might come back again after both surgical and hormonal treatment.
Is there any better solution for endometriosis?
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a solution for Endometriosis. Acupuncture and herbs have been used successfully in treating endometriosis.
In TCM theory, endometriosis is caused by several pathology factors including blood stagnation, qi stagnation and deficiency, as well as cold and heat. Traditional Chinese medicine is able to understand endometriosis based on the differentiated clinical manifestations associated with each individual. It is important in TCM to diagnose the patient according to her own specific pattern. Some of the points and herbs are used to remove blood stasis, and release pain. Each point and herb selected has its own therapeutic importance in the treatment of endometriosis depending on the TCM diagnosis of the individual.
Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a viable and effective treatment for this debilitating condition with acupuncture and herbs providing a safer, gentler and effective solution without any known side effects to the methods used. In a study published in the December 2002 issue of The Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers selected 67 women diagnosed with dysmenorrhoea due to endometriosis. It was reported that 81% of these women had less painful periods after receiving the acupuncture treatments.