Endometriosis is considered an inflammatory disease that can lead to chronic pelvic pain, severe menstrual cramps, fertility issues, painful urination and more. Acupuncture provides a safe natural and noninvasive approach to treating endometriosis by reducing inflammation and reducing pain. A 2017 systematic review evaluated ten studies which summarized:
Acupuncture reduced pain levels as compared to control groups.
Acupuncture had a notable positive effect on peripheral blood CA-125 levels compared to control groups. CA-125 is a well-established biomarker for several types of cancer and benign conditions including endometriosis and menstrual disorders.
Acupuncture may reduce the recurrence rate of endometriosis.
References:
Xu, Y., Zhao, W., Li, T., Zhao, Y., Bu, H., & Song, S. (2017). Effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one, 12(10), e0186616. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186616