Acupuncture Beats Drugs for Endometriosis: One Leading Cause of Infertility

At Eagle Acupuncture one of the most common diagnosis is endometriosis. Many women suffer tremendous pain and the condition can cause infertility. Many patients are recommended to try birth control bills to reduce their symptoms related to endometriosis but this obviously poses a challenge for couples who want to conceive. Other patients are referred out to a fertility center or a reproductive endocrinologists office for IVF (in-vitro fertilization) consultation . However, most patients aren't told about a non-invasive, safe and more effective treatment: Acupuncture. This study proves yet again, acupuncture and TCM treat endometriosis effectively and reduces a woman's level of pain and lowers her bio-markers for cancer. Read on for intriguing and impressive results.

In an astounding discovery: researchers prove acupuncture more effective than hormone drug therapy for the treatment of endometriosis. Acupuncture relieves menstrual pain caused by endometriosis, reduced the size of pelvic masses, lowers CA125 levels, and reduces the recurrence rate of endometriosis. CA125 a one bio-marker for several types of cancer and benign conditions including:  endometriosis and menstrual disorders.

Researchers at Tongji University hospital compared acupuncture with standard drug therapy. Patients receiving acupuncture achieved a 92.0% total effective rate. Patients receiving the drug mifepristone achieved merely a 52.0% total effective rate.

Mifepristone, also known by its trademarked name RU-486, is a synthetic steroid that inhibits progesterone action and is used for the treatment endometriosis and also for inducing abortions.

Acupuncture reduced pain levels more than the medication mifepristone. Endometriosis relapse rates were less in the acupuncture group than compared to the drug group. At the one year follow-up exams found that the recurrence rate for the group receiving drug therapy was 36%. By comparison, the group that had received acupuncture had an endometriosis recurrence rate of only  20%.

In addition, pelvic mass sizes and growth lessened more significantly in the acupuncture group than in the drug group. The findings were detected and verified with B-scan ultrasound.

Inclusion criteria for this study included Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) differential diagnostic pattern differentiation of blood stasis. In TCM, endometriosis is related to the dysfunction of the Kidneys, Spleen, and the Liver organs. In addition, cold may create coagulation of blood and obstruction in the uterus. This deleterious pattern impedes qi and blood circulation in the uterus, leading to menstrual pain due to a lack of delivery of vital energy,  nutrients  and proper blood flow to uterine tissues. Endometriosis treatment in TCM typically focuses on invigorating blood circulation, dissolving blood stasis, and regulation of the kidneys, spleen, and liver organs.

The patients in mifepristone group, patients received 12.5 mg tablets one time daily for six months. Patients in the acupuncture treatment group were treated with the following acupuncture points:

• CV6 (Qihai)
• CV4 (Guanyuan)
• CV3 (Zhongji)
• Zigong (Extra)
• SP10 (Xuehai)
• SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
• LV2 (Xingjian)
• LV3 (Taichong)

Treatment commenced with patients in a supine position. After disinfection of the acupoint sites, a 0.30 mm × 40 mm disposable filiform needle was inserted into each acupoint with a high needle entry speed. Xuehai, Sanyinjiao, Xingjian, and Taichong were perpendicularly needled to achieve a deqi sensation. Qihai, Guanyuan, Zhongji, and Zigong acupoints were obliquely (in a downward direction, 45°) needled to a standard depth. Needles were rotated, lifted, and thrust rapidly after insertion to achieve a deqi sensation in the pelvic region. Subsequently, the needles were retained and moxibustion was applied to acupoints (Qihai, Guanyuan, Zhongji, Zigong). Moxabustion, each 2 cm long, were attached to each needle handle and lit for warmth. Moxa was left in place to self-extinguish. Moxibustion was applied three times per 30 minute needle retention time. One acupuncture and moxibustion session was applied every other day, and omitted during menstruation. The treatment was applied for a grand total of 6 months.
The treatment effective rate for all patients in the study was evaluated based on the VAS rating scale and categorized into 1 of 3 tiers:

• Significantly effective: Rating reduction of at least 50%. Significant improvement of menstrual pain.
• Effective: Rating reduction of at least 25%. Improvement of menstrual pain.
• Ineffective: Rating reduction of less than 25%. No improvement of menstrual pain.

All patients underwent Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) assessments before and after their treatments. VAS is an instrument that measures pain intensity levels experienced by patients. B-scan ultrasonography was conducted to calculate the size of pelvic masses. A CA125 test was also conducted to measure the amount of CA125 (cancer antigen 125) in the blood. CA125 is used clinically in the diagnosis and management of endometriosis.
Prior research (Chang et al.) documents that patients with endometriosis have higher levels of CA125 than women without endometriosis. Chang et al. note that the value of CA125 reflects the invasiveness of endometrial tissue beyond a normal locus. Additionally, the Tongji University researchers cite investigations demonstrating that the value of CA125 is related to the severity of dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramping and pain).
Compared with the drug group, the acupuncture treatment group displayed a significant improvement in VAS scores. Patients in the acupuncture treatment group had smaller pelvic masses caused by endometriosis and had lower levels of CA125. There is a statistically significant difference between the two groups. The researchers also conducted a follow-up survey after treatment completion. They found that the recurrence incident rate of endometriosis in the treatment group was 20%. The recurrence incident rate of endometriosis in the control treatment group was 36%.
The research demonstrates that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for the alleviation endometriosis. Subjective and objective data supports the conclusions of the researchers in the controlled clinical trial. Based on the data, acupuncture is found effective for the treatment of endometriosis and lowers relapse rates.
The study design was as follows. The study involved the selection of 50 patients at the acupuncture and gynecology departments at the affiliated Tongji hospital of Tongji University. All patients were diagnosed with endometriosis between January 2010 and December 2015. They were randomly divided into an acupuncture treatment group and a drug control group, with 25 patients in each group. The treatment group underwent Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture therapy and the control group received mifepristone tablets.
The statistical breakdown for each randomized group was as follows. The average age in the acupuncture treatment group was 36 (±3) years. The average course of disease in the acupuncture treatment group was 2.49 (±2.11) years. The average age in the drug control group was 34 (±4) years. The average course of disease in the drug control group was 2.87 (±1.89) years. For both groups, there were no significant differences in terms of their gender, age, and course of disease prior to the beginning of the study.
The primary acupoints selected for the treatment of endometriosis were the following: Qihai, Guanyuan, Zhongji, Zigong, Xuehai, Sanyinjiao. The researchers provided the TCM basis for the acupuncture point selection. Qihai is located on the Ren meridian. Needling Qihai regulates source qi and blood circulation. Guanyuan is a meeting point of the Chong meridian and the Ren meridian. Needling Guanyuan regulates both the Chong and Ren meridians, promotes qi and blood circulation, and relieves menstrual pain. Zhongji is a meeting point of the three foot yin meridians and the Ren meridian. Needling this point is indicated for benefiting qi and blood circulation and relieving menstrual pain. In a clinical setting, Qihai, Guanyuan, and Zhongji are used as a combination for relieving menstrual pain. Zigong is an extra acupoint and is traditionally indicated for lower abdominal pain due to obstruction of qi and blood. Xuehai is an acupoint on the foot Taiyin spleen meridian. Needling this acupoint regulates qi and blood circulation. Sanyinjiao is a meeting point of the three foot yin meridians. Needling this point fortifies the liver, spleen, and kidneys, which is also helpful for regulating qi and blood circulation and relieving menstrual pain.
The focus of this study was to scientifically verify that traditionally indicated acupoints for the treatment of endometriosis are effective. Objective examinations and subjective data confirm that the TCM treatment protocol is both safe and effective for the treatment of endometriosis. Less pain, smaller masses, and improved CA125 levels were documented. Moreover, acupuncture outperformed  drug therapy.

 Quelle (July 2017): http://www.healthcmi.com
Source: https://ogka.at/acupuncture-better-than-drugs-for-endometriosis-pain-relief/

References:
Shen Q, Lu J. Clinical Observation of Acupuncture-moxibustion for Endometriosis [J]. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 2017, 36 (6).
Narvekar, Nitish, Sharon Cameron, Hilary OD Critchley, Suiqing Lin, Linan Cheng, and David T. Baird. “Low-dose mifepristone inhibits endometrial proliferation and up-regulates androgen receptor.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 89, no. 5 (2004): 2491-2497.

Blog Authored By USA Industry Leader in the Infertility Field: Kristen Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M. known by her patients as "The Baby Maker". She has practiced nearly 20 years treating the most difficult infertility cases throughout the U.S. She offers local treatments and herbal medicine consultations throughout the U.S that have resulted in over 500 births in: Idaho, California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Oklahoma, Virginia, New York and New Jersey. 

Burn Baby Burn

 Just Burn IT Take IT You Don't Need IT

The number of ablations is on the rise for women who suffer from heavy bleeding or pain with their menstrual cycle. Over 300,000 of these procedures are being done every year in the US alone.

Risk Free Medical Option No One Has Mentioned Before

Sadly, these patients do not know they have a non-invasive, medical alternative that is extremely effective and does not increase their risk, two fold,  of getting a hysterectomy and never masks uterine cancer: Acupuncture and Herbal medicine. But patients don't know this. They are very unlikely to be referred out to slow annoying, heavy menstrual bleeding.  They rarely are referred out for endometriosis.  It's rare, but patients are seldom referred out for pain.  Usually when patients get the nerve up to ask their OBGYN for another medical option,  a recommendation of which Acupuncturist and Herbalist for women's health,  they usually shrug or say "it won't hurt but I doubt it will help".

But now you do know, and don't ever forget it.

If not you, someone you love, will need this important and even life-saving information.
Whose life will you empower, improve and potentially save with this new information?  Who have you heard talking about wanting to get an ablation? Pocket it, save it, star it, share it, copy it but whatever you do, don't forget it.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can reduce menstrual flow up to 50% reduction in as little as three months.  Acupuncture, herbal medicine and dietary changes can eliminate or decrease endometrial tissue and pain.

   Endometrial ablation has it's severe limitations, that usually aren't being discussed between physician and patient.  They say it's an out patient procedure,  underplaying the risk.  They often don't mention the long term health complications.  Studies have proven you are 2.1 times more likely to have a hysterectomy.  This immediately catapults women into a lot of potential health problems for decades to come.

In order to understand the long-term risks of endometrial ablation, one must understand the critical hormonal connection between a woman's uterus and her ovaries. The endometrial (uterine) lining builds blood and sheds blood  in response to the hormonal messages from her ovaries every month. The surgical destruction and burning or, ablation procedure,  scars the lining of the uterus,  impeding its ability to shed.

However, this procedure does not touch the ovaries.  Therefore, the ovaries continue to send the hormonal signals necessary for building and shedding of the lining of a woman's uterus. Thus, the uterus attempts to function normally by becoming engorged with blood in hopes to create the perfect environment for an embryo to implant.

The dire problem here is the blood has nowhere to go. The blood remains unhealthily trapped behind the scar tissue intentionally caused by the ablation. The risks of this malfunction causes many serious medical problems:
Retention of blood in the uterine cavity (hematometra). The blood could also back up into the fallopian tubes (hematosalpinx). Both Hematometra and hematosalpinx can cause severe, acute and chronic pelvic pain. Some data suggest that about 10% of the women who have had endometrial ablation suffer from hematometra. The pelvic pain in women who’ve undergone both tubal sterilization and ablation has been coined postablation-tubal sterilization syndrome or PATS. Women who have not had their "tubes tied" but have had an ablation done, this syndrome is Post-uterine abation Syndrom or PAS.


Names of the types of procedures include to ablate the uterus by burning it to destroy the outer layer with mesh, water balloon or laser.

• NovaSure
• ThermaChoice
• Hydrothermal ablation
• Her Option (cryoendometrial ablation)

Other concerns, including death, when considering an endometrial or uterine ablation:

• 1 in 4 women will undergo a hysterectomy within four years of this procedure
• Perforation of your uterus during the procedure
• Burns to the uterus (beyond the intentional burn of the endometrial lining)
• Pulmonary edema or embolism
• Bowel burn leading to death. See Maude database, Novasure.
• Post-ablation tubal sterilization syndrome
• Masking endometrial cancer
• Delayed complications requiring risky hormone or addictive pain medication therapy
• Cyclic (meaning approximately once a month) pelvic pain or cramps—often, but not always accompanied by some menstrual bleeding. Many women explained this pain was as painfullabor pain. The pain occurs because of a hematometra (a collection of blood within the uterine cavity) that is unable to pass through the opening of her cervix. The horrendous pressure inside the hematometra builds up, consequently the uterus painfully contracts in an attempt to pass the blood.

• 40-25% hysterectomy rate after ablation is completed
• High rate of recurrence in heavy bleeding one to two years later
• Post uterine ablation syndrome which includes: uterine pain and cramping, blood backing up within
• Here are the short-term complications for endometrial ablation reported in PubMed: pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis, first-degree skin burns, hematometra, vaginitis and/or cystitis. A search of the FDA MAUDE database included complications of thermal bowel injury (one resulting in death), uterine perforation, emergent laparotomy, intensive care unit admissions, necrotizing fasciitis that resulted in vulvectomy, ureterocutaneous ostomy, and bilateral below-the-knee amputations. Additional postoperative complications include:
• Pregnancy after endometrial ablation
• Pain-related obstructed menses (hematometra, postablation tubal sterilization syndrome)
• Failure to control menses (repeat ablation, hysterectomy)
• Risk from preexisting conditions (endometrial neoplasia, cesarean section)
• Infection

40% Hysterectomy Rate Post Uterine Ablation

Ablation leads to hysterectomy in younger women

The younger a woman is at the time of her ablation, the greater her risk of  contracting long-term medical problems that can then lead to her hysterectomy. A 2008 study in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that 40% of women who underwent endometrial ablation before the age of 40 years, required a hysterectomy within 8 years from that procedure.  31% of ablations resulted in hysterectomy for 40-44.9 year old women, 20% for 45-49.9 year old women and 12% of women over the age of 50 years required a hysterectomy after the endometrial ablation procedure.

Expect to Have a Hysterectomy Within 5 years

Another study, reported a similar correlation between endometrial ablation and hystectomy. “On the basis of our findings one third of women undergoing rollerball endometrial ablation for menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) can expect to have a hysterectomy within 5 years. If the linear relationship noted during the first 5 years is extrapolated, theoretically, all women may need hysterectomy by 13 years.”

 You Are Not Alone

 If you are considering getting an ablation or have had one and are suffering, this forum is a great resources that shares personal experiences with these procedures: http://www.steadyhealth.com/topics/post-ablation-syndrome

Call our experts first (208) 938-1277 No matter where you are, we can help reduce your menstrual flow and reduce your pain.  

One of our patients sadly found us too late after her endometrial ablation, PAS post ablation syndrome and her hysterectomy, even though her doctor at the time knew about our expertise and our practice in women's health.  This was her beautiful testimony of her experience.  It takes a lot of courage to share openly so that she may save another woman's uterus, health and sanity:

 April 27, 2015
It's the feeling of wishing I had known then what I know now. But we can't go back in time, and we can't always know. I was desperate, however, and even as well informed and educated as I thought I was - I was wrong. But then desperation often leads us down drastic paths. Paths, that even with the best of intentions, leave us with regret. I wish I knew about acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine before I had the ablation, as that's where much of this path of regret and desperation began. Since the birth of my last child three years prior I began experiencing extremely heavy periods with excessive bleeding that impacted my personal and professional life. To address that, it was recommended that I get an ablation. For the first year and a half it was great, I didn't have another period and no more bleeding problems. But then the constant abdominal pain started and nothing seemed to bring relief.
I was diagnosed with post ablation syndrome where all of the veins in my uterus were enlarged and causing the constant pain. On top of that I began to have severe bladder prolapse. I was advised by three doctors to get a hysterectomy and a bladder sling. I was devastated by this news. Not because I wanted more children. I had four and was done with that part of my life. But I was afraid of surgery, the risks, the changes, and the unknown. But more than anything, I knew the physical aspects of my sexual life would change once they took my uterus and cervix. We aren't supposed to talk about those things. They are meant to be private, and yet such an important part of our lives. I asked every question I could think of and every possible option. In the end, I needed to be pain free and a functioning mother and professional, so I gave in and had the surgery. I had one of the best surgeons in the area. I had some initial complications getting my bladder to cooperate again the first week after surgery, but I committed to resting and healing.
The first three or four months were focused on recovery, and while I struggled with the physical changes, I began to be over overwhelmed by the psychological and emotional changes. I stopped feeling like me. I couldn't recognize myself in my own skin: it was like living in a constant fog filled with sadness, rage, frustration, and confusion. My hormones tanked, even though I hadn't lost my ovaries they clearly quit working.
There I was, more desperate than I'd ever been, truly at my lowest of lows, afraid I might not ever be me again. My doctor prescribed Lexapro to help take the edge off while we tracked my hormones to determine treatment. One pill was all I took and within two hours I experienced severe nausea, diarrhea, heart racing, weakness in my legs and uncontrollable tremors. I ended up in the emergency room with serotonin toxicity. Afraid to try anything else, and knowing it was hormonal I sought out the doctor who gave me the second opinion about the surgery. Because I was only 39 she was reluctant to try hormone replacement therapy but asked if I would consider a low-dose birth control pill. I agreed. Two weeks into taking the pills and I experienced numbness and weakness in my left shoulder and arm, facial numbness, and chest pain. There I was, again in the emergency room, and this time told I could never take any type of hormones and that I was lucky I didn't have a stroke and die.
Left with this news, the doctor looked at me and said she didn't think there was anything that western medicine could do to help me and would I consider trying something different - would I consider acupuncture and herbal medicine. There I was, desperate, and more than desperate I was hopeless. I felt like I had no options. It was this, or give up life altogether. And that's when I met Kristen and Eagle Acupuncture. I didn't think there was anything that she could do for me that others hadn't tried, but I went and I committed myself to her care and direction.
What I've experienced, feels to me very much like a miracle. After three treatments I felt the fog lift and felt hope. It took six months, but the difference from when I walked in the door and where I am now is night and day. It's been more than a year since I had my hysterectomy and even longer since this all started. And, I've finally found me again. There were many weeks where a blue sky, or the wind, or simply breathing made me cry, or rage, or crawl so deep inside myself that I was sure I was going crazy. Those days are altogether gone. But I don't believe this was a miracle at all, I believe that what Kristin did was true medicine. She's a compassionate, caring, educated, and invested women's health medical provider.
The regret that have today is that I didn't know enough to start with her - with acupuncture and herbal medicine - and more than that, that none of my doctors told me I had this option to begin with. And, what I don't want to regret is sharing my story so that other women know they have choices and that acupuncture and herbal medicine are a true medicine that shouldn't be a last resort or something to be ashamed or afraid of trying. I can truly say that I owe Kristen much more than a thank you, I owe her my life as mother, a wife, an individual, and a professional. It is because of her care and work as a skilled practitioner of acupuncture and herbal medicine that I have my health and life back. I think it's important that others know this too. Thank you Kristen, for everything.
Selena

Sources:

1. Amso NN. Clinical and health service implications of second generation endometrial ablation
devices. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2006;18:457-63.

2.  Shavell VI, Diamond MP, Senter JP, Kruger ML, Johns AD. Hysterectomy subsequent to endometrial ablation. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2012;19:459-64.

3.  Longinotti MK, Jacobson G, Hung Y, Learman LA. Probability of Hysterectomy After Endometrial Ablation. Obstet Gynecol. 2008; 112: 1214-20.

4.  Munro MG. ACOG Practice Bulletin: Endometrial Ablation. Obstet Gynecol. 2007; 109:1233.

5. McCausland AM, McCausland VM. Long-Term Complications of Minimally Invasive Endometrial Ablation Devices. J Gynecol Surg. 2010; 26: 133-49.

6. NIH 

7. Wikipedia

8. www.HormonesMatter.com