Acupuncture for Endometriosis

Natural Relief for Pain & Hormonal Balance

Endometriosis is a growing concern in reproductive health, with rising diagnosis rates due to improved medical imaging, delayed childbearing, and environmental factors. This condition occurs when endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, leading to painful periods, heavy bleeding, and in some cases, infertility. Conventional treatments often focus on symptom management through painkillers, hormonal therapy, or surgery – but acupuncture offers a natural, research-backed approach to relief and recovery.

At The London Acupuncture Clinic, we use acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to help reduce pain, regulate cycles, and support fertility in women with endometriosis.

Endometriosis can present in different ways, but common signs include:

• Painful periods with dark blood and clotting
• Spotting before periods, often a key diagnostic indicator
• Pelvic nodules or masses, detectable through medical imaging
• Irregular Basal Body Temperature (BBT) patterns
• Infertility, though the exact cause remains uncertain

While some women experience severe pain and heavy bleeding, others may have few symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. The condition can be confirmed through MRI or laparoscopy, inferred through ultrasound, or strongly suggested by symptom patterns.

How Acupuncture Can Help

Traditional Chinese medicine views endometriosis as a stagnation of blood in the uterus. When menstrual blood does not flow smoothly, it can lead to clotting and congestion, worsening inflammation and pain. The blood and endometrium which should be shed cleanly with each period is not done so properly. This leads to the congealing and clotting of the blood in the uterus. As the natural flow is further hindered by this clotting, the endometrial tissue finds its way into areas it shouldn’t causing the problem. Acupuncture has been scientifically studied for its potential to:

• Alleviate Pain & Inflammation – Research shows that acupuncture reduces pain by modulating prostaglandins, β-endorphins, and inflammatory markers, leading to improved quality of life. (PubMed, 2023)
• Regulate Menstrual Cycles & Hormones – Studies indicate that acupuncture helps balance key reproductive hormones, which may improve endometriosis-related symptoms.
• Enhance Blood Circulation to the Uterus – Acupuncture has been shown to promote proper blood flow, reducing clotting and congestion.
• Improve Fertility Outcomes – A growing body of research suggests that acupuncture may improve fertility rates in women with endometriosis by regulating hormone levels, reducing inflammation, and optimising uterine health. (Evolution Medical Care)

Acupuncture & Medical Treatment: A Complementary Approach

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Acupuncture can be safely used alongside conventional treatments such as pain medication, hormonal therapies, and surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that acupuncture significantly reduces menstrual and pelvic pain in endometriosis patients compared to control groups. (PMC, 2023)

By combining acupuncture with medical treatments, many patients experience greater pain relief, improved cycle regularity, and enhanced fertility outcomes.

Personalised Treatment at The London Acupuncture Clinic

Every case of endometriosis is unique. That’s why we begin with a thorough consultation to assess your symptoms, menstrual history, and overall health. We then design a tailored acupuncture and herbal medicine plan to support your body’s natural healing process.

Find Relief & Restore Balance

If you’re struggling with painful periods, fertility challenges, or other symptoms of endometriosis, acupuncture could offer a safe and effective solution. Take control of your health and find relief naturally.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is an increasingly diagnosed condition in the west. This is partly because of increased frequency of diagnostic surgery (laparoscopy) but also to deferred child bearing and increasing environmental pollutants. Its western medical diagnosis can be confirmed by mri or laparascopy, inferred from ultrasound or suggested by the symptoms pattern.

Endometriosis can take many forms but is often characterised by painful periods with dark menstrual blood and clotting. There may be palpable nodules or masses in the abdomen. Sometimes there is no bothersome symptoms such as pain but a key diagnostic can often be spotting before periods. It can also be indicated by certain patterns in the change of Basal Body Temperature.

Endometriosis is one of the main causes of infertility although the reason for this is uncertain.

While western doctors are more frequently diagnosing endometriosis as the cause of painful periods or infertility – TCM can go back one stage further in this diagnostic process. By looking at the patterns involved in the building up and shedding of the womb lining, we can see that when the period is dark and clotted, the old endometrium is less likely to be cleared efficiently and there ends up travelling to areas where it shouldn’t – creating endometriosis. So if we regulate the period to be free flowing, bright, painless and clot free, we can potentially stop the endometriosis from forming.

What our patients say

“I have been coming to this clinic since early 2024 for help managing my endometriosis, and it has made a huge difference in my life. Before seeing them, my pain was so severe during my period that I often couldn’t walk and sometimes needed an ambulance. Since starting acupuncture with them, everything has changed. I have my normal life back and I am mobile again.” Chloe, London