In Hungary, around 1 in 10 women is suffering from endometriosis. It is one of the most common problems among women, yet we still do not know much about it and treat it effectively.

Endometriosis is diagnosed when the mucous cells of the uterus do not appear in the uterus but somewhere else outside the uterine cavity. It often affects the ovaries and various parts inside the pelvic. In case endometriosos affects the fallopian tubes, it can cause infertility.

It was shown that scar tissue and adhesions can obstruct or distort the shape of the fallopian tubes and prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs. Endometriosis may also affect fertility by causing hormonal irregularities, a higher rate of early miscarriage, and immune system malfunctions. The immune system can react to the pain and inflammation of endometrial adhesions by attempting to prevent any foreign tissue (including embryos) to implant into the uterus. While the cause of endometriosis is still unknown, many theories exist including retrograde menstruation, genetic predisposition, abnormal tissue development, or malfunction of the immune system.

Common symptoms include:

  • Severe menstrual cramps
  • Pelvic pain apart from menses
  • Menstrual diarrhea
  • Heavy, dark, or clotted menstrual flow
  • Backache
  • Painful intercourse
  • Painful bowel movements
  • Fatigue
  • Bloating , Constipation
  • Painful and frequent urination

TREATMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

There are several options to treat endometriosis. Your doctors will give you advice of which treatment is suitable in your case. Just to note, each of them have pros and cons.

Pharmaceutical treatments

In general, pharmaceutical treatments are very popular but not always effective. You can expect around 30-50% chance of improvement of the pain.

Moreover, medications often cause significant side effects, such as hotflash, decreased sexual desire, up-and-down mood, headaches, osteoporosis,  and so on. Therefore, many women do not tolerate these effects and stop taking medication.

Surgery

Surgery is another treatment for chronic pelvic pain. During laparoscopic surgery, the overgrown endometrial tissue is removed.

On the one hand, this option can be an effective treatment. On the other hand, it is an expensive and painful intervention. It takes a long time to heal after surgery. Moreover, surgery does not ensure a permanent recovery for endometriosis patients because pelvic pain usually can recur within five years.

ENDOMETRIOSIS UNDER CHINESE MEDICINE VIEWPOINT

According to Chinese medicine, endometriosis belongs to the problem of Blood Stasis, which means that the blood circulation is not as good as it should be. The reasons of poor blood circulation are the blocked or insufficient energy (Qi), which are mainly caused by:

  • severe stress, emotional trauma, constitutional weakness, surgical history,
  • exposure to excessive Cold,
  • regular consumption of cold foods, especially during menstruation.

Symptoms of Blood stasis include intense pain, frequent or heavy bleeding, dark (brownish) menstrual blood, and bleeding with dark clots. Treatment goal is to improve blood circulation, hence can clear up the endometriosis. Recent research have shown that with the help of acupuncture, significantly improve endometriosis can be achieved and therefore improve the chance to conceive and carry into term.

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?

Acupuncture can help treat endometriosis by:

  • Promoting blood circulation in the pelvic organs and the uterus, therefore improve the blood supply, clear the inflammation and alleviate the pain.
  • Enhance the immune function, therefore help eliminate endometrial cells.
  • Help restore normal function of the hormon system, especially renal and adrenal function which regulate the menstruation. It als help better the liver function, so that it can metabolize effectively the excessive oestrogen which feed endometriosis.
  • Help relieves stress and corrects disruptions in the flow of the body’s energy. Therefore, the body is more calm down to nurture the embryo and pregnancy.

Another advantage of acupuncture treatment is that it can be either a single treatment or combine with pharmaceutical treatments. In the latter case, it helps relief the side effects of other medicines: improves mood, sleep, reduces headaches and hot flashes. When performed by well-trained physicians, acupuncture has almost no pain and side effects.   

How many treatment is necessary?

Acupuncture can significantly relief pain and other symptoms of endometriosis. Most patients report less pain after 10 treatments. In addition, the effect take times to formulate and maintain, so it is recommended to have a long term treatment for a better results.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT: Dr. Nguyen Hong, Tel: +36 70 943 1878, Email: hongnbcc@gmail.com

Budapest- Vietkimhong Clinic, 1051 Budapest, Arany János str.33, 1.floor.2, doorbell 127. Opening hours: Friday, Saturday 8:00- 18:00

Miskolc- 3515 Miskolc, Egyetemváros, Egyetem str. 17, Bolyai Kollégium, E/4 building, ground floor, CSPMed clinic. Opening hours: Thursday 10:00- 17:00

Győr-  Vietkimhong Clinic, 9026 Győr, Révfalu, From October 2021. Opening hours: Wednesday 10:00- 17:00