Stop Suffering from
Endometriosis

Endometriosis: Symptoms, Causes & TCM Relief

Many women experience painful periods, pelvic discomfort, or difficulty conceiving without knowing why. For some, these symptoms are linked to a condition called endometriosis.

Understanding what is happening inside the body is the first step to finding relief and long-term support.

WHAT

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation, pain, and scarring. This misplaced tissue responds to monthly hormonal changes just like normal endometrial tissue, but has no way to exit the body.

During each menstrual cycle, the endometrium (uterine lining) thickens, breaks down, and exits through menstruation. With endometriosis, similar tissue grows in locations where it shouldn’t, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, outer surface of the uterus, or pelvic cavity. However, because it is located outside the uterus, the tissue has no way to exit the body. This causes irritation, swelling, and sometimes the formation of scar tissue or cysts. Over time, this can lead to chronic pelvic pain and difficulty conceiving.
Common symptoms include:

Endometriosis often begins in the teenage years or early adulthood, but symptoms may become more noticeable in the mid-20s to 30s, especially when cycles and hormones change. Many women receive diagnosis later due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions.

At Wo.men Matters, we believe in integrative wisdom.

We combine the insights of both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine to help you understand what’s happening in your body and how to restore balance naturally.

Western perspective

What Causes Endometriosis?

The exact cause remains unclear, but research suggests a combination of hormonal, immune, and genetic influences.

Hormonal and Inflammatory Imbalance

Oestrogen promotes the growth of endometrial tissue, whether inside or outside the uterus. Women with endometriosis often have elevated oestrogen levels or heightened tissue sensitivity to oestrogen.

Genetic and Immune Responses

Women with a family history of endometriosis are more likely to experience it. Some theories suggest that the immune system may not properly clear misplaced endometrial cells, allowing them to continue growing.

TCM PERSPECTIVE

A TCM Perspective on Endometriosis

At Wo.men Matters, we don’t focus only on localised tissue changes. Instead, we look at how the energy, blood flow, and internal organ systems work together. Pain is understood as a sign of stagnation or imbalance.

Liver Qi Stagnation

Stress and emotional constraint.

In TCM, the Liver system is responsible for the smooth movement of Qi (energy) throughout the body. Emotional stress, frustration, or prolonged tension can cause restriction in the smooth flow of blood, causing it to accumulate rather than circulate properly. This stagnation creates the foundation for abnormal tissue growth.

Cold and Blood Stasis

Poor circulation and sharp pain.

Exposure to cold, whether environmental or dietary, can slow circulation and cause blood to move sluggishly through the uterus. Cold accumulation in the lower abdomen slows circulation, causing blood to become sluggish and form masses.

Kidney and Spleen Weakness

Low energy and chronic fatigue.

Some women develop endometriosis in the context of constitutional weakness, where the body lacks sufficient energy to maintain proper circulation and clear displaced tissue.

Can You Get Pregnant with Endometriosis?

Fertility concerns are among the most distressing aspects of endometriosis. At Wo.men Matters, we understand your concern and are here to guide you to regaining control over your fertility journey.

How endometriosis affects fertility

Endometriosis can affect fertility in several ways. Adhesions and ovarian cysts may distort pelvic structures or reduce egg reserve.

Chronic inflammation can make the environment less supportive for sperm, fertilisation, and implantation. Hormonal signalling can be disrupted, affecting ovulation and how the uterine lining develops.

The immune system may also respond in ways that interfere with conception.

However, fertility challenges vary widely. Many women with endometriosis still manage to conceive naturally, but some do require additional help.

TCM Treatments for Endometriosis Relief

TCM offers effective, natural approaches to managing endometriosis symptoms and addressing root causes. Treatment focuses on moving stagnant Blood, improving circulation, and restoring organ system balance.

Herbal medicine to move Blood and clear stagnation

Our TCM prescriptions are formulated to regulate menses, reduce cramps, decrease inflammation and modulate immune system.

anxiety

Acupuncture to reduce inflammation and support fertility

Our acupuncture sessions target specific points that:

  • Activates endogenous pain-relieving systems
  • Reduces inflammatory cytokines in the pelvic region
  • Improves blood flow to reproductive organs
  • Regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis
  • Modulates the stress response

Moxibustion and heat therapy

Our moxibustion sessions involves burning dried mugwort herb near specific acupuncture points to warm the body and improve circulation. This technique is particularly effective for Cold-type endometriosis where symptoms improve with heat.

Womb Care Therapy (Deep Heat Needless Therapy) to warm the womb

This treatment is rooted in the same principle as moxibustion, using gentle, therapeutic warmth to dispel cold and stagnation in the uterus. Instead of burning mugwort, we apply a medicated herbal paste to your lower abdomen and use a specialised device to create a penetrating warmth that improves circulation, relaxes uterine muscles, and eases cramping from the inside out.

Diet and lifestyle guidance

TCM treatment works best when supported by appropriate dietary and lifestyle choices:

  • Eating warm, cooked meals
  • Including ginger, red dates, and soups
  • Avoiding iced drinks or cold salads during menstruation
  • Avoid processed foods, excessive sugar, and alcohol which worsen inflammation

Can Endometriosis Go Away?

Endometriosis does not usually disappear on its own, but symptoms can be managed effectively to maintain quality of life and fertility. The condition typically persists until menopause, when declining oestrogen levels cause endometrial tissue to shrink and become inactive.

TCM focuses on restoring balance to prevent progression. Rather than suppressing symptoms or hormones, TCM addresses the underlying patterns that allow endometriosis to develop. By improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and strengthening constitutional health, TCM treatment aims to create internal conditions less favourable for disease progression.

When to Seek Help

Recognising when your symptoms require professional attention ensures timely diagnosis and prevents unnecessary suffering or disease progression.

Red Flags

If you experience any of the above symptoms for a prolonged period, or if affects your daily life, consult a qualified medical practitioner. At Wo.men Matters, we believe that TCM works best as an integrated approach for many women.

What to expect during a TCM consultation with Wo.men Matters

Your first TCM consultation at Wo.men Matters typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes, allowing you to be fully heard.

This includes

Detailed Medical History

Current symptoms, menstrual history, medications, past treatments, lifestyle factors

Pattern Differentiation

Your energy levels, digestion, sleep, temperature preferences, emotional state

Physical Exam

Pulse diagnosis, tongue examination, and abdominal palpation if required

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers to the most common questions we receive about endometriosis and TCM treatment.
Endometriosis is diagnosed by western medical doctors through a combination of clinical assessment, ultrasound scan, blood work and definitive confirmation via laparoscopy. During laparoscopy, a surgeon directly visualises endometrial implants and often removes visible lesions whilst taking tissue samples for laboratory confirmation. Whilst imaging can identify some forms of endometriosis such as ovarian cysts, it may miss superficial implants. At Wo.men Matters, if we suspect that you may have endometriosis, blood work may be encouraged as a part of the preliminary investigation.
Most women first experience endometriosis symptoms in their 20s and 30s, though symptoms can begin during teenage years with the onset of menstruation. The condition develops during reproductive years when oestrogen levels are high.
Currently, there is no permanent cure for endometriosis. Surgical removal of lesions provides temporary relief, but recurrence rates are high without ongoing management. The condition typically resolves naturally at menopause when oestrogen levels decline. Many patients who had endometriosis no longer experienced menstrual cramps after giving birth.

Even though complications such as extensive adhesions and ovarian endometrioma (also known as chocolate cysts) might require surgical intervention, many women still see improvements in symptoms after giving birth.

Real Stories and Holistic Healing

Zi Hao Tan
My wife decided to engage Great Wall tcm after reading many success stories. The service provided by Physician Tay was superb. He has great knowledge and gives his best to his patients. This is evident during the tcm visits where he would constantly check in with us and helps my wife to adjust her body condition. He is one who is selfless and willing to share knowledge based on his own experiences. He knows western practices as well and can advise us accordingly. After around 7 visits, my wife is pregnant! Kudos to Dr Tay and his friendly staff.
Jia Li
Tried my 1st ever session of Deep Heat Therapy after recommendation by Phy. Tay as I have endometriosis issues. Love that there is no acupunture involved so it is a totally painless experience. In fact, it was so comfortable that I nearly fell asleep. After follow-up checkup and analysis by Phy Tay, their specialized therapist took care of me for the 1hr treatment. She is very experienced as she could identify issues that I have (such as dampness in my body which is reflected by the excess moisture after applying herbal plaster) and explained the procedure step by step. What I like about this womb care massage is the customisation according to individual body's issues and needs. For my case, the therapy was done with me facing down, while others may be the opposite way. These are all dependent after consultation with Traditional Chinese Physician Tay, unlike others which may be a 1 fit all approach.
Sunitha Slivanathan
I had been experiencing cramps since I was a teenager. My cramps can be very bad that I got hospitalized many times. As I aged, my mensus pain was very bad affecting my work. Year 2023, I was hospitalized 5 times ( at 3 different hospital ) 1 doctor concluded that my womb had to be removed, another dr suggested to do some scraping to remove the endometriosis. I never undergone any major operations before so I decided to try TCM. I found 'Great Wall TCM'. Dr. Koh did the detailed history taking which involved my physical and mental well being too. I was prescribed with medications and acupuncture sessions. Dr Koh was honest that my pain will not immediately go away but with some change in my lifestyle habit and compliance to meds, i may improve. Today, I am totally free from my pain.
Begin Your Journey Towards Balance

If you’re suffering from endometriosis, natural support is available.

At Wo.men Matters, our TCM physicians combine herbal medicine, acupuncture, womb care therapy, and lifestyle guidance to help women find balance and relief.

Book a consultation to begin your journey with us towards pain-free periods and hormonal balance.