Endometriosis: the presence of endometrial tissue (the normal uterine lining) in abnormal locations such as the tubes, ovaries and peritoneal cavity, often causing painful menstruation and infertility

Mr Stefan Chmelik on Endometriosis

How did I get this? I see a lot of women who have been given a diagnosis of endometriosis, most commonly following investigations for painful periods. Usually the pain has been getting worse for some time, and it is this that has taken them for an investigation. It can be an upsetting and confusing diagnosis, with conflicting advice as to what to do about it. As well as pain being likely, fertility may be compromised.

Chinese Medicine has a long established and successful history of treating most women’s health issues, and particularly menstrual pain and dysfunction, as well as infertility. We refer to endometriosis as a form of blood stasis. This means blood tissue that is in the wrong place or is not flowing as it should. This is a pretty exact description of endometriosis. Treatment is to eliminate the endometrial tissue and to reestablish balanced blood flow and hormonal function. The best way to achieve this is usually by combining acupuncture and herbal medicine, and nutritional and dietary factors are also sometimes important as well.

From a holistic perspective, the endometriosis is not so much the disease as one of its manifestations. Just removing the tissue surgically or taking oral hormones may offer temporary relief in some cases, but most often the condition will simply return if the underlying cause is not addressed.

Dr Brian Kaplan on Endometriosis:

Endometriosis is a condition that is caused by the tissue that normally lines the uterus (called endometrium) growing in any area of the body besides the lining of the uterus. Thus it when endometrial tissue grows on the outside of the uterus, the Fallopian tubes, ovaries or anywhere else in the abdomen, a diagnosis of endometriosis can be diagnosed.

Symptoms include pain and heavy periods as the endometrial tissue outside of the uterus is still under hormonal control, but not in the correct anatomical place for harmonious functioning. It can also have an adverse effect on fertility.

Orthodox treatment: Various drugs are used – none of which is capable of truly eradicating the condition. Doctors may also suggest pregnancy as an excellent idea because endometriosis is often greatly improved by pregnancy. Needless to say – this does not exactly suit every woman suffering from endometriosis!

Homeopathy: Classical homeopathy where a remedy is chosen to suit you as well as the endometriosis in my experience can be most useful in this condition and endometriosis is certainly a problem most homeopaths would try to treat. Of course results cannot be promised and not every case is helped, but in my opinion and experience, all problems related to the female hormonal system often respond well to homeopathy.

Autogenic Therapy: A reduction in stress can help this condition and when this is appropriate, a course in Autogenic Therapy will be recommended.

Overall: This is a condition where I believe an holistic approach is fully justified and can lead to very gratifying results. Where the above approaches are insufficient, I tend to get the opinion of my colleagues in the New Medicine Group at our weekly meetings and see if we can come up with a new approach. I simply do not give up easily when treating endometriosis.

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