TCM & ENDOMETRIOSIS
What is Endometriosis?
The best way I heard endometriosis explained was that it is the right tissue in the wrong place. This means the endometrial cells somehow migrate and implant in areas outside of the uterus. These tissues can be found on the cervix, the vaginal-rectal area, the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the colon, the bladder wall, the abdominal wall muscles, the lungs, nose, and even the brain.
Endometriosis affects millions of women. It is estimated that 1 in 10 women between the ages of 15-59 years is affected making it roughly 176 million women around the world who are living with this condition.
Common symptoms…
Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) - this includes cramping and pelvic pain that may start days before the period and can last days after bleeding starts. Pain can range from mild to severe.
Lower back pain and abdominal pain - can start days before the period and can last throughout the period.
Painful intercourse - pain during and/or after intercourse
Excessive bleeding - heavy bleeding (menorrhagia) and/or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).
Infertility - this can be a common complication of endometriosis. One-third to one-half of women have difficulty conceiving.
Other symptoms may also include - pain with bowel movements, painful urination, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal bloating, and nausea.
*It should be noted that some women don’t experience any symptoms at all.
How TCM Views Endometriosis
Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes endometriosis by its symptoms and is known as “menstrual movement pain”. In the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet), there is a chapter on “Women’s Miscellaneous Diseases’ Pulse, Pattern and Treatment”. Here endometriosis is described as “the menstrual blood is inhibited and as a result, there is lower abdominal fullness and pain.” This is referenced in the book The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis.
In TCM, we diagnose by looking at the imbalances in the meridian systems. In endometriosis, the common imbalances are called...
Blood stasis
Qi stagnation
Kidney yang deficiency
Spleen qi deficiency
Damp heat stagnation and stasis
The best part of working with an Acupuncturist is each treatment is personalized for each patient and based solely on their TCM diagnosis. The number and frequency of treatments will depend on the diagnosis.
Chinese Food Cures
Eating foods that are nourishing is important but also eating very simple so that it doesn’t cause more inflammation is equally important. The week before your menstruation and during it is the ideal time to be more careful about the foods you eat.
Best foods:
Warm, easy-to-digest, and nourishing foods such as soups, stews and broths are highly recommended to consume.
Gluten-free whole grains such as brown rice and oats.
Steamed, roasted or lightly cooked veggies, especially cabbage, broccoli, Asian greens and green leafy veg.
Organic protein such as eggs, fish, and chicken.
Anti-inflammatory herbs and spices such as turmeric, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, fennel seeds, cloves, parsley, and sage.
Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in fish and seeds.
Tempeh
Foods to avoid:
Raw, cold or frozen foods such as putting ice in drinks, ice creams, raw vegetables, etc.
Dairy products - this includes all dairy
Gluten - wheat (wheatberries, durum, emmer, semolina, spelt, farina, farro), Kamut, rye, barley, triticale.
Soy milk and other processed soy products
Caffeine
Sugar
Alcohol
Saturated, trans, and hydrogenated fats
Essential Oils for Endometriosis
One of the things I like to recommend for hormone balancing is essential oils. When choosing a brand best to Iook for ones that are organic and 100% therapeutic grade. It is also important to have them in dark glass bottles and not diluted with anything such as vegetable oils.
How can I use the essential oils is the most common question I get. There are various ways to do this like adding a couple of drops in a diffuser to inhale or adding them along with Epsom salts to a warm bath. But my favourite way is to apply them neat directly to the skin on the arch of each foot. Gently massage the essential oil into the arch and then put cotton socks on afterward. You can also apply the oils directly to specific acupuncture points (check out when my next workshop is to see which points I recommend).
Best Essential Oils for Balancing Hormones
These oils help support the natural balance of your hormones by supporting your hypothalamus (controls the hormones that are crucial to our everyday functions such as body temperature, mood, sleep, hunger, thirst, fatigue, circadian rhythms, and even sex drive). One of the most important functions of the hypothalamus is to link the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland.
I recommend only purchasing essential oils that are 100% therapeutic grade, and organic. You can use these oils in a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, apricot, coconut, or jojoba oil. The rule of thumb to use one drop of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil for a 1% dilution. You can use these oils to massage into your pelvic area or inhale through a diffuser (no carrier oil is used when using a diffuser).
Clary Sage - This is one of my favourite oils for balancing hormones and it can be applied daily directly to the skin. I recommend applying a few drops to the inside arch of the foot on both feet. This oil contains antispasmodic properties which make it perfect for relief of mild period cramps and PMS symptoms. Studies have shown that clary sage has the ability to reduce cortisol levels by as much as 36% and even improve thyroid levels. It can lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels which can improve mood.
Frankincense - is known to reduce inflammation and decrease levels of cortisol (stress hormone). It is also a great oil for improving thyroid functions of T3 and T4 hormones, it helps with PMS, cramping, and inflammation.
Lavender - This popular oil has numerous benefits which include helping to balance hormones in the body. It can even aid in menstrual pain. This essential oil is well known for decreasing stress and symptoms of PMS which include feeling emotional and depressed feelings for no apparent reason.
Rosemary - Where this essential oil exceeds is its ability to support the removal of excess estrogen from the body. Excess estrogen can affect issues such as infertility and even some cancers. Rosemary essential oil can aid in cultivating hormonal balance, lowering cortisol in saliva, anti-cancer properties, and even stimulating memory and mood.
Thyme - Research found in the Proceedings of the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine has shown that thyme has beneficial progesterone-balancing effects in the body by improving progesterone production. Improving production can help women low in progesterone. Low progesterone in the body has been linked with infertility, PCOS and even depression.
Yin Yoga & Endometriosis
Research has shown that yoga can reduce chronic pelvic pain and improve the quality of women’s lives. I have put together 5 Daily Yin Yoga Poses for Endometriosis for a complete Yin Body Balance. It’s a simple flow you can practice every day to help you feel like your vibrant balanced self again. The yin yoga that I teach is focused on the Chinese meridians, especially ones that are connected to hormone balance and women’s cycles. Please email me at kelli@elementswellnesscentre.com or DM me on Instagram @lifeaskellitaylor and I will send you a PDF with the best Yin yoga poses for endometriosis.
Disclaimer:
Please check with your doctor or natural health practitioner before starting any yoga practice or using any alternative therapies such as essential oils. These poses and alternative therapies are NOT to replace any medications or therapies.