Myths about Endometriosis can confuse people about the condition. March is Endometriosis Awareness month, so it's important to educate people about the realities for women suffering. It can be debilitating, disrupting their day to day, work and home lives.
Did you know, 1 in 10 women have Endometriosis?... and that’s actually being conservative!
Endometriosis is a difficult thing to diagnose with the average time it takes for a complete and sure diagnosis taking 7-12 years!
Endometriosis Australia is the national organisation that provides funding for further research and resources for women who might be dealing with this.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is when some of the endometrial tissue migrates up and out of the uterus via the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity.
The only way to diagnose officially is via laparoscopy, with Internal Ultrasounds not being enough to determine the extent of migratory tissue.
The early signs can be painful periods, Heavy periods with clotting, bloating or a belly that won’t go away regardless of weight loss. There are numerous other signs and symptoms that can be part of an Endometriosis picture - headaches, migraines, mood swings, severe PMS and even low iron so starting with your GP is a good first step to begin investigations.
5 Myths about Endometriosis:
Myth #1 : There is a cure.
- False: there is no known cure for Endometriosis. Management is the key, and this is where complementary medicines such as acupuncture may help manage symptoms as part of a broader healthcare plan.
Myth #2: Hysterectomy cures it.
- False: Simply removing the uterus is not enough, as endometriotic tissue may have already migrated and adhered itself to your ovaries, bowel or bladder and other pelvic structures. This means even without a uterus, the tissue remains behind and creates adhesions to ligaments, organs and pelvic structures.
Myth #3: Ablation cures it.
- False: Often Endometriosis will return within 5 years of bearing children or ablation procedures. This may mean that women with Endometriosis need multiple surgeries to manage the problematic tissue in their pelvis.
Myth #4: It's Auto-immune related.
- False: There is a controversial debate about this topic. Endometriosis is inflammatory related, but there is no evidence suggesting it is an Auto-immune condition. It doesn’t attack the body’s immune system, it’s more of a benign, inflammatory problem. But Endometriosis can be concurrent with other auto-immune conditions such as thyroid issues.
Myth #5: Only women of child bearing age can get it.
- False: Teens and menopausal women can still experience symptoms of Endometriosis.
- Teens with heavy, painful periods should go start investigations with their GP as soon as possible, especially if their mother or sisters have been diagnosed with Endometriosis. Just be aware that Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine can be a good option for management, rather than the Oral Contraceptive Pill which is Medicine’s answer to regulating an erratic period. The Pill may mask symptoms, but when the young woman enters child bearing phase and needs to come off the pill, the Endometriosis symptoms may re-surface with a vengeance.
- Menopausal women may have prior knowledge of their Endometriosis, and although Oestrogen is declining, it is the adhesions and migrated tissues that may cause irritation to bowels and bladder, as tone and function in these areas also begin to decline.
What to do next? Where to begin with managing Endometriosis
After you've seen your doctor or gynaecologist, which is always your first port of call, there are therapies that may offer some pain relief. To enhance you care plan, Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs have several strategies to help women with Endometriosis including:
- Managing Period Pain
- Regulating your cycle and period
- Reducing clots
- Nourishing the blood (when there's significant loss of blood with heavy periods)
- Managing discomfort and pain associated with any bloating and headaches
- Helping you feel calm and emotionally balanced
A qualified TCM Practitioner is recommended. They will have more experience and knowledge about women’s health and can also interpret the test results from your GP.
They would then tailor a Chinese Herbal or Acupuncture treatment aiming to ease and manage your Endometriosis symptoms.
If you're in Sydney's Northern Beaches and considering trying Acupuncture or herbal medicine, my practice is in Brookvale and Warriewood.
I'm a Registered Acupuncturist/ Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner with AHPRA. I'm a provider with health funds if your extras policy has Acupuncture. Reach out via the Contact Page to ask any questions you may have about whether Acupuncture is right for you.
Further reading about Endometriosis:
