Chinese medicine for endometriosis and severe menstrual pain

A staggering number of women complain to their OBYGYN’s about severe menstrual pain or even ovulation pain and are just brushed off and told it’s “normal”. This is a complete disservice to women, as being a women doesn’t also mean it’s normal to suffer from pain every month.

If you are a women experiencing severe period pain, ovulation pain, etc. it is “common”, but it is NOT normal. Symptoms, especially ones that are so severe that they prevent you from doing anything else except managing your pain, are of course a huge indication that something isn’t quite right. I encourage all women, and all of my patients to pay attention to their symptoms, as they are helpful tools in determining what the body needs. Chinese medicine practitioners are particularly trained to analyze symptoms and figure out their root cause. We do this through in-depth questioning, palpation, and tongue and pulse diagnosis.

A very sad fact: endometriosis is the third most common cause of hospitalization amongst gynecological disorders due to the severe pain that it causes. Women suspected of having endometriosis need a rather invasive surgery (laparoscopy) just to be able to confirm a diagnosis and because of lack of research and knowledge around the subject it frequently takes women up to 8 years to be diagnosed! Conventional treatment for endometriosis is also less than promising. Endometriosis grows back after surgical removal in about 67% of patients, according to one study. And the drugs used to treat endometriosis often come with severe and risky side effects and don’t end up treating the root cause. The side effects of Orlissa, a drug commonly prescribed for the treatment of endometriosis, include bone loss, suicidal thoughts, abnormal liver tests, hotflashes, headache, nausea, and insomnia. It can also be wildly expensive (up to $1100 per month).

I’m writing this post in hopes that it finds other women suffering from severe pain, endometriosis, irregular periods, and the like. I’m so sorry you’ve had to experience the absolute hell that is endometriosis pain. If having an invasive surgery isn’t your cup of tea, know that you have other options! I myself have personally been down this road and used acupuncture, herbal medicine, abdominal massage and movement exercises that helped to reduce my pain and regulate my cycles.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, there can actually be quite a few different root causes of endometriosis- so treatment will depend on your specific symptoms and will require a full in-depth intake and health history. Below are two common Chinese medicine diagnoses that can often present as endometriosis:

Kidney yang deficiency-This Chinese medicine diagnosis relates to poor metabolic health and can cause severe fatigue, propensity to feeling very cold, lower back pain, cold feet, low libido, infertility, hairloss, frequent urination, severe deep cramping pain, brown or pale-pink blood. This disorder occurs longterm illness, from overwork or severe stress, or from a constitutional weakness.

Qi and blood stasis-This Chinese medicine diagnosis relates to poor blood circulation either due to diet, stress, repressed emotions, or lack of exercise. It can cause diaphragm or chest tightness, nausea and vomiting, large clots, headaches, insomnia, irritability, purple-looking nail beds, and severe stabbing & pin-pointed period pain.

Heat and blood stasis- This Chinese medicine diagnosis relates to severe inflammation in the lower abdomen and reproductive organs. It may accompany symptoms such as burning pain in the vagina or rectum, bleeding between periods, sharp shooting pain, clots, feeling warm or having night sweats, etc.

Acupuncture is a great therapy that helps to reduce endometriosis pain by alleviating inflammation and promoting blood flow; however, sometimes a customized herbal approach will be far more effective and provide faster and more long-term relief. Chinese herbs, when prescribed by a board certified herbalist and acupuncturist, are a safe & alternative option for women suffering from severe menstrual pain, irregular periods, endometriosis, and PCOS. And even better, it can treat the root cause of the disease, not just mask symptoms.

If you have severe menstrual pain every month and aren’t sure where to turn- Chinese medicine most likely can help! Book a new patient consult and we’ll spend lots of time going over your health history, ask lots of questions about your specific symptoms, and create a customized treatment plan to help get you out of pain.

If you have any questions, comment below or shoot me an email.

references: https://www.orilissa.com/about/side-effects-and-safety-considerations

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20436315/