Acupuncture for Endometriosis: How Can it Help?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other areas of the body, leading to inflammation, severe pain, heavy bleeding and often fertility issues. Despite its prevalence, it can go undiagnosed for years. Acupuncture can provide gentle yet effective relief from the intensity of many of the symptoms and here at Samina Haider Acupuncture & Naturopathy, we offer holistic, personalised and integrated care to support your well-being, help reduce your pain levels and help you reclaim back control over your health.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic immune related, inflammatory condition, where tissue similar to the lining of the womb (endometrial tissue) grows in other parts of the body, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, bowel or even the diaphragm. Each month this misplaced tissue thickens in response to immune and hormonal factors, and breaks down just like the lining inside the womb, causing inflammation and pain. Cysts can also occur as a result of this endometrial tissue and for many people, this condition deeply impacts everyday life, influencing fertility, emotional well-being, and overall health.
What causes Endometriosis?
While the exact cause remains unclear, experts suggest several possible factors including retrograde menstruation (where menstrual blood flows backwards into the pelvic cavity), genetic predisposition, immune system irregularities, hormonal imbalances and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in our environment. It’s important to note that there’s currently no consensus on a single cause, and research continues to investigate these possibilities.
Who can it effect?
Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of reproductive-age women and AFAB worldwide, that’s nearly 190 million people. Despite being so common, it often takes between 7 to 10 years for women to receive an accurate diagnosis. Many endure years of uncertainty, pain, and frustration, frequently facing initial misdiagnoses such as IBS or severe period pain. Early recognition of this chronic inflammatory condition is essential to understand its progression in individuals, effective management of symptoms and it’s long term impact.
How is Endometriosis Diagnosed & TREATED?
Diagnosing endometriosis usually begins with a pelvic exam and imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI scans to check for cysts or scarring. However, a definitive diagnosis requires laparoscopy—a minimally invasive surgical procedure. During laparoscopy, a surgeon directly views and removes any endometrial tissue found, confirming the diagnosis clearly and accurately and then monitor you for reoccurrences, but for some sufferers, Endometriosis can been a life altering condition, requiring specialist support, care and treatment, involving multiple complex surgeries.
Conventional medical management of the condition, includes over the counter or prescription pain relief medication, hormonal therapy and surgery.
Recognising Symptoms of Endometriosis
Listening closely to your body is essential, especially when something doesn’t feel right. Endometriosis symptoms often appear subtly at first, and can vary according to lesions, making them easy to dismiss or misinterpret. Every woman’s experience is different, but some common signs to watch out for include:
• 💔 Severe Period Pain – Pain significantly stronger and longer-lasting than typical menstrual cramps, that typically don’t respond to over the counter pain killers like paracetamol.
• ⚡️ Chronic Pelvic Pain – Ongoing discomfort throughout the month, even outside your period.
• 🌸 Pain During or After Sex – Deep discomfort affecting both physical intimacy and emotional connection.
• 🤰 Difficulty Conceiving – Fertility challenges due to blocked fallopian tubes, inflammation, or internal scarring.
• 🌿 Digestive Disturbances – Symptoms such as bloating, nausea, constipation, or diarrhea, particularly around your menstrual cycle.
• 😴 Fatigue and Exhaustion – Persistent tiredness from chronic pain, hormonal fluctuations, and emotional stress.
Recognising these signs early can help you get the right support sooner.
How Acupuncture Helps Women with Endometriosis
Acupuncture can be an effective way to manage endometriosis symptoms naturally. By stimulating specific points, acupuncture helps improve blood flow, reduces inflammation and gently eases pelvic pain. Acupuncture also addresses the hormonal imbalances that can cause symptoms such as severe pms, heavy and clotted bleeding easier to manage.
Research also shows acupuncture can also support fertility prospects in Endometriosis sufferers, by creating a healthier more optimally balanced environment in the reproductive system, beneficial for those who are struggling to conceive. It’s a gentle and supportive approach that complements conventional treatments, and clinical studies highlight its ability to provide significant pain relief and improve overall quality of life.
Natalie’s story
Many women struggle silently with endometriosis, often believing severe pain is simply part of being a woman. This was true for one of my patients, whose journey highlights how vital compassionate care can be:
“Like many women, I was lead to believe that period pain was just a part of being a woman. My period pain was so severe I almost passed out, was unable to function and needed bed rest. Painkillers weren’t able to help and I started dreading my period each month. I began seeing Samina for acupuncture to support my menstrual health and general wellbeing and with her support, I finally found the courage to seek medical advice.
Having surgery to diagnose and remove the endometriosis, alongside my acupuncture treatments has been life changing for me—I can now manage my pain, and heavy bleeding is far less common. Samina’s knowledge, expertise and detailed approach has been second to none and I have never felt so considered as an entire person by any health practitioner before. Having her by my side, guiding me through this journey, has truly been invaluable.”
Additional Tips: Supporting Your Treatment at Home
Alongside acupuncture, small changes at home can help manage some endometriosis symptoms more effectively:
🥗 Diet & Hormone Support: Many find relief by going gluten-free, cutting down on processed foods and sugars, reducing caffeine and alcohol and increasing fibre. Ensuring your diet is rich in anti-inflammatory foods, such as oily fish, nuts and seeds, organic fruit and vegetables, including plenty of leafy green vegetables is a great place to start. To get the best support consider working with a naturopath like myself or a nutritionist.
🌿 Herbal Remedies: Turmeric and ginger in cooking are natural anti-inflammatories and can complement your treatment plan when used as herbal preparations with professional guidance, such as a Naturopath, Western herbalist or Chinese herbal medicine practitioner.
💫 Period Care: Pads, period pants or menstrual cups are often a better option than tampons, which may contribute to retrograde flow. Always consider 100% organic cotton, plastic and fragrance free materials when using pads or tampons. I highly recommend Here We Flo’s range of 100% organic bamboo menstrual products, which feels ever so soft and dreamy next to our delicate intimate skin.
💊 Supplements: Targeted supplements can be beneficial, but should be chosen with your practitioner as part of a tailored plan. As a starting point, you may want to explore Vitamin D, Magnesium glycinate and Omega 3.
🧘 Exercise: Regular gentle movement (like yoga, Pilates, walking, or light weights) promotes blood flow and patients can respond better to treatment. Save higher-impact workouts for after your period, when energy and recovery are better supported.
🌱 Castor Oil Packs: Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, known for its anti-inflammatory and circulation-boosting properties. When applied onto cloth and placed on the abdomen, with a heat pack, it penetrates deep into the tissues to help reduce inflammation and ease pelvic pain. I have tried a few brands, but love CastorVida, which is a female founded brand focused on making Castor oil packs more accessible, easy to use, prepared using the purest, highest quality, organic ingredients and materials. When you visit their website, don’t forget to use my exclusive code SAMINA15 at the checkout, to get 15% off your purchases.
N.b Do not use castor oil or castor oil packs, when you are bleeding, if you are pregnant, have an IUD fitted, on blood thinners or have a diagnosed blood coagulation disorder.
Always speak to your healthcare professional before starting any new treatments or routines.
Final thoughts
Do you regularly experience symptoms like intense period pain, discomfort during intercourse, digestive issues, or ongoing fatigue—and wonder if a more personalised, holistic approach could help? At Samina Haider Acupuncture and Naturopathy, we specialise in acupuncture for Endometriosis and Women’s Health, with individualised care at the centre of every treatment plan.
Acupuncture offers a gentle yet highly effective way to manage symptoms, support fertility, and improve your overall wellbeing. If you’re looking for a more natural, whole-body approach to feeling better, we’re here to help guide the way.
✨ Start your journey toward lasting relief and better health. Book with Fertility acupuncture & Women’s Health Specialist Samina Haider, and learn how personalised acupuncture can help ease your symptoms and improve your everyday wellbeing
Sources:
Zhao, L., Chen, J., Li, Y., Sun, J., and Wu, X. (2023) ‘Acupuncture for endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 66, 102165.
Lundeberg T, Lund I. Is there a role for acupuncture in endometriosis pain, or ‘endometrialgia’? Acupunct Med 2008; 26 (2): 94-110.
Li, P.S., Peng, X.M., Niu, X.X., Xu, L., Ng, E.H.Y., Wang, C.C., Dai, J.F., Lu, J., and Liang, R.N. (2023) ‘Efficacy of acupuncture for endometriosis-associated pain: a multicenter randomized single-blind placebo-controlled trial’, Fertility and Sterility, 119(5), pp. 792-800.
Buchstaber, A. (2023) ‘How to use castor oil for endometriosis pain relief’, Birthright, 22 September. Available at: https://www.birthright.co/blogs/blog-posts/how-to-use-castor-oil-for-endometriosis-pain-relief
Johns Hopkins Medicine (n.d.) ‘Endometriosis’. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/endometriosis
Endometriosis UK (n.d.) ‘Endometriosis Facts and Figures’. Available at: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-facts-and-figures
NHS ‘Endometriosis’. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/