Why Women Are Ditching Painkillers for Acupuncture to Treat Endometriosis

Author: Stella Parker, Women's Health & Fertility Acupuncturist

If you have endometriosis, you already know it’s more than just painful periods. But have you ever wondered if there’s a way to manage your symptoms without relying solely on painkillers or surgery? Keep reading…

Endometriosis isn’t just about painful periods—it’s an inflammatory, hormonal, and whole-body condition that can leave you feeling exhausted, bloated, and out of balance. That’s the textbook definition.

But the reality?

In my acupuncture appointments, I regularly see women who can’t get out of bed because their pain is so intense. Women who vomit or faint on their bathroom floors every month. Women who have spent years trying to conceive, only to finally learn that endometriosis was silently behind the issue the whole time. Those who have chronic pelvic pain to take your breath away. Others who haven’t ever had sex without pain. All of this eventually leading to a heightened nervous system in an already stressful world.

Endo isn’t just a reproductive health issue - it’s a whole-body struggle that affects your energy, digestion, mental health, and daily life. In Australia it affects an estimated 1 in 7 women of reproductive age – that’s 1 million women (Endometriosis Australia, 2023) who’ve at one point struggled with this in their lives.

Globally, that figure is about 190 million women worldwide (World Health Organization, 2023) who’ve battled chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, and fertility challenges.

And while painkillers, laparoscopic surgery, and hormonal treatments are often the first-line solutions, they don’t work for everyone—or they come with side effects that make you feel like you’re trading one problem for another.

How Acupuncture Supports Endometriosis Relief

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Endometriosis is often linked to Blood stagnation, Liver Qi stagnation, and digestive weakness. This means that the body isn’t circulating blood, hormones, and movement (Qi) effectively, leading to:

• Severe pain & clotting – Poor circulation causes blood to get “stuck,” leading to intense cramps and large clots
  
  
• Inflammation & bloating – Excess heat and fluid buildup contribute to swelling and discomfort, and ‘endo belly’
  
  
• Hormonal imbalance – When Liver Qi is stagnant, the body struggles to process oestrogen efficiently, worsening symptoms
  
  
• Digestive issues – Weak digestion can can trigger bloating, nausea, and IBS-like symptoms

Why Conventional Endo Treatments Aren’t Enough

Unlike painkillers or hormonal treatments that focus on symptom suppression, Acupuncture works by addressing the underlying imbalances contributing to Endometriosis—helping to restore circulation, reduce inflammation, and regulate hormone function at its root.

Unlike painkillers or hormonal treatments that focus on symptom suppression, Acupuncture works by addressing the underlying imbalances contributing to Endometriosis. Research shows acupuncture can:

• Reduce period pain – A meta-analysis of 13 randomised controlled trials found that acupuncture relieved dysmenorrhea (period pain) more effectively than NSAIDs
  
  
• Lower inflammation markers – Acupuncture has been shown to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, which drive endometriosis-related pain and swelling
  
  
• Regulate menstrual cycles & support fertility – Studies suggest acupuncture balances oestrogen levels and improves ovulation, making it a promising adjunct for fertility
  
  
• Calm the central nervous system – By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, acupuncture helps reduce stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances—all of which can worsen endometriosis symptoms

What to Expect from Acupuncture for Endometriosis

Many women may start feeling improvements within a few sessions—less pain, better cycles, and more control over their bodies. But like any natural treatment, real change takes time. A treatment plan usually includes:

• Weekly acupuncture for 8–12 weeks to reduce pain & inflammation in Stage 1
  
  
• Chinese herbal medicine and/or supplements to support hormone balance & digestion (if appropriate)
  
  
• Diet & lifestyle recommendations to support long-term relief

Acupuncture for Endometriosis isn’t a quick fix, but rather a gradual and sustainable way to improve symptoms and restore balance to the body.

By addressing pain, inflammation, and hormonal dysregulation, it offers a natural and evidence-backed alternative for managing endometriosis beyond conventional treatments.

If you’re tired of feeling like your body is working against you, acupuncture offers a natural, evidence-backed way to manage endometriosis and reclaim your quality of life.

I offer individualised treatment plans designed to target pain, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances. Book your first session today and take the first step toward lasting relief.

References

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186616
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102963
https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.12576
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186616
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.01.034 https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000011007