You Are More Than Your Diagnosis: Acupuncture Support for Endometriosis, Adenomyosis and PCOS

11 Jul

Living with endometriosis, adenomyosis or polycystic ovary syndrome can affect far more than your menstrual cycle.

Pain, heavy or irregular periods, fatigue, digestive symptoms, fertility concerns and emotional stress can all influence daily life. You may find yourself planning around your cycle or feeling that your symptoms are not always fully understood.

When I work with women living with these conditions, I do not simply focus on the diagnosis. I look at how your symptoms are affecting you as an individual.

Acupuncture cannot cure endometriosis, adenomyosis or PCOS, and it should not replace medical care. However, it may be used alongside conventional treatment to support symptoms and general wellbeing.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body, commonly around the pelvis, ovaries, bowel or bladder.

Symptoms may include:

Severe period pain
Pelvic or lower-back pain
Heavy periods
Pain during sex
Pain when opening the bowels or passing urine
Bloating and fatigue
Fertility difficulties

Acupuncture cannot remove endometriosis lesions, but it may offer complementary support for pain, tension, stress, sleep and fatigue.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis occurs when tissue from the lining of the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.

Symptoms may include:

Very painful periods
Heavy or prolonged bleeding
Pelvic pressure or heaviness
Bloating
Pain during sex
Fatigue following heavy bleeding

Adenomyosis and endometriosis are different conditions, although it is possible to experience both.

Acupuncture cannot reverse the physical changes caused by adenomyosis, but it may help support the symptoms surrounding the condition.

PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal and metabolic condition that can affect ovulation, menstrual cycles and androgen levels.

Symptoms may include:

Irregular, infrequent or absent periods
Painful or heavy periods
Difficulty ovulating
Fertility concerns
Acne or oily skin
Increased facial or body hair
Thinning hair
Weight changes or insulin resistance
Fatigue or low mood

PCOS can look very different from one woman to another. One person may be most concerned about irregular cycles, while another may be struggling with painful periods, acne, energy levels or fertility.

Severe or persistent pelvic pain should always be investigated, as it may also be associated with another condition such as endometriosis or adenomyosis.

My approach to treatment

In Chinese medicine, treatment is based on your individual symptoms rather than the diagnosis alone.

I may ask about:

Your menstrual cycle and bleeding
The location and nature of any pain
Premenstrual symptoms
Digestion and bowel movements
Energy and sleep
Stress and emotional wellbeing
Medication, surgery or fertility treatment

I will also look at your tongue and feel your pulse as part of the traditional diagnostic process.

Your treatment may change depending on where you are in your cycle and how you feel on the day. Before your period, treatment may focus on tension, bloating or irritability. During menstruation, the focus may be on pain and cramping. After a heavy period, I may use a gentler and more nourishing approach.

Supporting your physical and emotional wellbeing

Living with a long-term menstrual or hormonal condition can be exhausting.

You may feel anxious about your next period, frustrated by delays in diagnosis or worried about fertility. Chronic symptoms can also affect work, exercise, relationships and social plans.

During your appointment, I give you time to explain what you are experiencing without feeling rushed.

Acupuncture can also provide an opportunity to pause and rest in a calm, private environment.

Acupuncture alongside medical treatment

Acupuncture can often be used alongside treatments such as:

Hormonal contraception or the hormonal coil
Pain medication
Medication for heavy bleeding
Metformin (patients with insulin resistance)
Fertility medication or IVF
Care before or after surgery

I will always ask about your medical treatment so that your acupuncture sessions can be adapted appropriately.

You should continue to seek advice from your GP or gynaecologist for symptoms that are severe, changing or unexplained.