Acupuncture for Endometriosis: Can It Help With Pain and Symptoms?

Endometriosis - or endo for short - is a common estrogen-dependent gynecological disorder that affects approximately 10% of women worldwide. It is characterized by endometrial-like tissue that is found outside the uterus. The most common symptoms that affect women with endometriosis include chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (painful periods), digestive symptoms such as bloating and constipation, and infertility. Endometriosis can greatly impact quality of life and symptoms often persist, even with adequate surgical and medical interventions. For this reason, many women turn to complementary therapies such as acupuncture for further relief.

Acupuncture has gained popularity over the past decade as more and more research emerges on its therapeutic benefits for a multitude of conditions, ranging from infertility to headaches to chronic pain. I have personally witnessed how beneficial regular acupuncture can be at reducing pain and improving periods in my endo patients. Acupuncture is safe, accessible (especially with extended health benefit coverage), and can be a great addition to a comprehensive care plan that may include surgery, medication, nutrition changes, herbs/nutraceuticals, and more. In this blog post, we’ll explore why so many women with endometriosis are turning to acupuncture, what the research says so far, and what you might expect if you’re considering it as part of your care.

Acupuncture needles placed on lower abdomen for endometriosis relief

What Is Endometriosis and Why Is It Challenging to Treat?

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside the uterus. This misplaced tissue responds to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, leading to inflammation, pain, and scar tissue formation. Common symptoms include:

• Severe menstrual cramps

• Chronic pelvic pain

• Pain during intercourse

• Fatigue

• Infertility in some cases (30-50%)

  
  

The exact cause of endometriosis remains unclear, and its symptoms vary widely. This variability makes treatment challenging. Standard approaches often involve hormonal therapies to suppress the growth of endometrial tissue or excision surgery to remove lesions. However, these treatments may not fully relieve symptoms and can have side effects.

How Acupuncture May Help with Endometriosis Symptoms

Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) modality that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. It aims to balance the body's energy flow, known as Qi, and stimulate natural healing processes. In scientific terms, acupuncture improves blood flow, stimulates the release of endorphins (our body's natural pain relieving chemicals), and can modulate levels of certain hormones. For endometriosis, acupuncture may provide relief by:

• Reducing pain: Acupuncture can trigger the release of B-endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which may help ease pelvic and menstrual pain.

• Improving blood flow: Enhanced circulation around the pelvic area can reduce inflammation and promote healing.

• Balancing hormones: Some studies suggest acupuncture may influence hormone levels, potentially regulating menstrual cycles and reducing symptoms.

• Lowering stress: Chronic pain often leads to stress and anxiety. Acupuncture promotes relaxation, which can improve overall well-being.

  
  

Evidence Supporting Acupuncture for Endometriosis

Research on acupuncture for endometriosis is continually growing. Here are some recent studies and their conclusions:

• A recent 2025 meta-analyses titled "Acupuncture monotherapy for endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis" looked at 9 RCTs involving a total of 535 patients and found that acupuncture significantly reduced pain intensity. This was attributed to the suppression of inflammatory prostaglandins (lipid compounds that influence inflammation, pain, and blood flow), improved pelvic blood flow, and inhibition of the proliferation and hemorrhaging of ectopic endometrial cells.

• Another study from 2023 published in Fertility and Sterility evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture for endometriosis-related pain in women between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. Individuals were either assigned to the treatment group (acupuncture for 30 mins 3x/week for 12 weeks) or the control group ("sham" or placebo acupuncture for the same duration and frequency). In the acupuncture group, the reduction in the visual analog scale score was significantly greater at the end of treatment than the control group, meaning a greater reduction in pain. An important thing to note - these results were not seen at the 24 week mark (12 weeks after treatment), demonstrating that the efficacy of acupuncture fades after treatment and regular treatment must be performed to see a beneficial effect on pain.

  
  

While more large-scale studies are needed, current evidence supports acupuncture as a useful complementary therapy alongside conventional treatments.

What to Expect During Acupuncture Treatment

If you decide to try acupuncture for endometriosis, here’s what typically happens:

1. Initial consultation: As a Naturopathic Doctor, I always complete an initial assessment to get a complete medical history and full picture as to what is going on. This helps me personalize treatments to the individual patient and allows for time to discuss a comprehensive treatment strategy that includes more than just acupuncture - things like bloodwork, nutritional therapy, herbs/supplements, and more.

2. Treatment sessions: Needles are gently inserted into specific points, often around the pelvic region and lower limbs. The needles remain for 20 to 30 minutes and you can relax and unwind with soft music and our essential oils diffusing for extra therapeutic effect.

3. Frequency: Many people start with weekly sessions for several weeks, then reduce frequency as symptoms improve. I always recommend weekly or biweekly for the first month or two, then we can discuss decreasing the frequency as needed. I have had patients report decreased pain and better periods after just one acupuncture session, though this is rare. We typically need regular sessions to see significant improvements.

4. Safety: Acupuncture is generally safe when performed by a licensed professional. Side effects are rare but may include mild bruising or soreness at needle sites.

   
   

Practical Tips for Combining Acupuncture with Other Treatments

Acupuncture works best as part of a comprehensive approach to managing endometriosis. Consider these tips:

• Communicate with your healthcare provider about all treatments you are using to avoid interactions. During our initial assessment, we go over medications, supplements, and herbs for endometriosis so that there are no interactions. We also discuss optimal dosing of supplements and herbs for therapeutic effect.

• Track your symptoms before and after acupuncture sessions to monitor progress. This can include overall pelvic pain, menstrual pain, gas and bloating, constipation, or fatigue.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition, regular gentle exercise, and stress management techniques.

• Be patient: Acupuncture effects may build gradually over several sessions.

  
  

Ready to Get Started With Acupuncture For Endometriosis Symptoms or Period Pain?

We offer acupuncture services at our Antigonish, Nova Scotia office and support patients in Antigonish and surrounding areas (Guysborough, Port Hawkesbury, New Glasgow, Cape Breton, etc).

Book with Dr. Emily here: bluebellnaturalmedicine.janeapp.com

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