Endometriosis, Infertility, & Chinese Medicine
Endometriosis is becoming more prevalent, effecting about 5 to 7 million women within the United States. What exactly is Endometriosis? Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium tissue lining our uterus is located in abnormal places and cannot be properly released during our menses. Normally, the endometrium tissue is “pinched”, or “sloughed off”, passing as the reddish tissue.
What are the abnormal areas the endometrial tissue can be located: on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the uterus, and rarely-the abdominal cavity. When the onset of the period starts, its job is to come off the uterine lining to be released. Imagine the Endometrial tissue located in the abnormal locations and not being able to be passed out in the form of menses. The contracting of the tissue may contribute to the pain related to Endometriosis. Better yet, this tissue may block the normal functions of ovulation, adequate blood flow to the uterus, and others; which can contribute to infertility.
Chinese Medicine can treat infertility caused by Endometriosis, which contributes to 30-40% of infertility in women. Chinese Medicine uses Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Cupping, and Nutrition to address the pattern (cause) of infertility. It has been shown to decrease the pain of Endometriosis, decrease the growth of Endometrial tissue in abnormal areas, increase blood flow to the Uterus, loosen the tension caused by Endometriosis, and improve ovulation. Endometriosis can cause many other conditions such as PID, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, adding to the obstacles to fertility.
Based on clinical research, researchers from the Chongqing Institute of Chinese Medicine conclude that acupuncture and herbs achieve significant positive patient outcomes for patients with chronic PID. Chinese herbal medicine, as a standalone therapy, achieved a 77.5% total effective rate in their clinical trial. Acupuncture, as a standalone therapy, achieved a 75% total effective rate. A therapeutic protocol combining acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine achieved a 92.5% total effective rate. The data confirms that an integration of both acupuncture and herbs into a treatment protocol achieves optimal positive patient outcome rates.The total effective rate also includes significant improvements or elimination of endometrial hyperplasia, pelvic masses, vaginal secretion leukocyte count, and the serum leukocyte and neutrophil count. Six, nine, and twelve month follow-up medical examinations confirm that acupuncture and herbal medicine maintain lasting results and prevent relapses of PID. (2)
Chinese Medicine provides relief from Endometriosis, enhances women’s fertility health, and provides lasting results after proper course of treatment. This medicine provides relief on the physical, emotional, and mental levels; while empowering women to reclaim their bodies and family planning.
Resources:
Ding, Z., & Lian, F. (2015). Traditional Chinese medical herbs staged therapy in infertile women with endometriosis: a clinical study. International journal of clinical and experimental medicine, 8(8), 14085-9
Zhou, P. Zeng, Z. H. & Xiang, Y. H. (2014). Clinical Study on Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease with Syndrome of Damp-heat and Blood-stasis by Qing-Re Li-Shi Hua-Yu Decoction Combined with Acupuncture Therapy. World Science and Technology – Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 16 (12).