Acupuncture to treat Endometriosis or painful periods

Acupuncture can be used very effectively in regulating periods and affecting the blood flow and pain that is experienced during menstruation. Patients are always surprised at just how quickly their cycles can change from very heavy and painful to lighter and more manageable, even in the space of one or two treatments.

Endometriosis can cause infertility as the endometrial tissues can attach themselves to the organs and pelvis outside of the womb causing inflammation and inhibiting the fertilised egg from implanting. By bringing the endometrium back to a more healthy thickness and by reducing the amount of blood lost every month increases a woman’s fertility greatly.

Testimonial from a patient diagnosed with Endometriosis...


"I got diagnosed with endometriosis when I was 17. At the start I would just get severe pain during my periods, I then started having constant, unbearable pain in between periods too. It disrupted my work, my college and my social life. After 3 years of endless hospital appointments, medications, health diets and two operations I decided to try acupuncture; I didn't even imagine that it would help as much as it has. My biggest regret is not turning to acupuncture sooner, if I had then I could have prevented two operations and 3 years of agonising pain. acupuncture has not only helped me with the pain of endometriosis, but it has also helped me through the stressful times of marriage, work and general life. Acupuncture has really been a life saver to me and I am so grateful for Verity and everything she has done that has allowed me to have a normal life and finally be pain-free"


I’m pleased to say that this particular lovely person gave birth to a healthy baby boy in the summer of 2014. 

Endometriosis UK Presentation

If you would like more in-depth information regarding Endometriosis please watch this presentation which I originally gave to Endometriosis UK in July 2020. It covers everything from disease aetiology to lifestyle advice and beyond. 

Endometriosis Research

It has been shown that acupuncture treatment may specifically be of benefit in people with endometriosis by:

• providing pain relief - by stimulating nerves located in muscles and other tissues, acupuncture leads to release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors, and changes the processing of pain in the brain and spinal cord (Zhao 2008, Han 2004, Zijlstra 2003, Pomeranz 1987).
• reducing inflammation - by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors Kavoussi 2007, Zijlstra 2003).
• regulating levels of prostaglandins (Jin 2009)
• combining acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis has been shown in animal studies to down-regulate the abnormal increase of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) levels that is associated with ectopic activity of endometrial cells. The treated rats had reduced areas of ectopic tissue (Chen 2008). MMP-2 is required for the anchoring of the placenta to the uterine wall in pregnancy but over-production can lead to endometriosis.

(an extract taken from the British Acupuncture Council's research fact sheet)