Endometriosis affects approximately one in ten women and is a leading cause of female infertility. It is also one of the most underdiagnosed and inadequately treated conditions in women's health — with the average time to diagnosis in the UK still running at eight years.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus — on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic peritoneum and other structures. This tissue responds to monthly hormonal fluctuations, causing inflammation, scarring and adhesion formation that can compromise ovarian reserve, disrupt fallopian tube function and create a hostile pelvic environment for conception.
Despite its prevalence and impact, endometriosis is poorly managed by conventional medicine. Hormonal suppression therapies address symptoms but do not resolve the condition; surgical removal of lesions provides temporary relief but carries its own risks and often recurs. Many women with endometriosis are looking for an approach that works with their body rather than against it.
In TCM, endometriosis is most commonly understood through the pattern of Blood stasis — a failure of blood to circulate freely, leading to its accumulation in places where it does not belong. This pattern gives rise to both the characteristic pain of endometriosis (fixed, stabbing, worsening with pressure) and the structural changes that compromise fertility.
Treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine aims to:
Women with endometriosis who are undergoing IVF face specific challenges: reduced ovarian reserve, poorer egg quality and lower implantation rates compared to women without the condition. Acupuncture can help address each of these — improving ovarian blood flow, supporting egg quality and preparing the endometrium for transfer. Dr D'Alberto works with many endometriosis patients through their IVF cycles and has extensive experience adapting TCM treatment to their specific protocols. See our IVF acupuncture page for more.
Even where the primary goal is not fertility, acupuncture offers meaningful pain relief for women with endometriosis. Research supports its effectiveness for dysmenorrhoea and chronic pelvic pain — often producing reductions in pain that allow women to reduce or discontinue pain medication. Many patients report significant improvement in quality of life within two to three cycles of treatment.