Endometriosis
By the time Kandy (35) came to me she had undergone surgery to remove her endometriosis and it had even been suggested that she had a hysterectomy. Her period was completely debilitating and she would be bed bound for 2 days with intense pain as if she was being stabbed; both in the abdomen and the rectum. Her neighbour called round once to check as her pain was so severe she feared she had been shot!
She had recently completed two courses of IVF which, despite excellent embryo quality had failed. The first cycle had failed to produce any result, however with the second cycle she had achieved a positive pregnancy test for a few days. She still had two excellent graded embryos frozen but was feeling ‘worn down’ by the process and wanted a break before deciding what to do. She also reported that her pain was becoming stronger with each IVF cycle.
Emma Cannon Sept 2006
KANDY’S PREPARATION FOR EMBRYO TRANSFER
Kandy was treated for 4 months using herbal medicine and acupuncture. She also following the plan for Blood stagnant types. The aims of the treatment were as follows:
- Regulate the flow of Qi and blood – stop pain
- Break up blood stagnantion
- Strengthen the kidney function (yin /yang)
The focus of this case was to improve the internal environment, since it did not appear to be an issue of embryo quality or quantity. It appeared that the pregnancies were failing at the implantation phase; caused by a disturbance in the body’s energy system causing internal
blood stagnation.
Happily after following the programme for 4 months she was successful with her frozen embryo transfer.
I have seen many times how herbal medicine can successfully treat endometriosis; by promoting blood circulation and regulating the endocrine and immune system. Acupuncture has been known to be extremely successful in reducing pain from endometriosis.
This approach works well at relieving spasms and stopping pain without the need for medication. Many herbs have remarkable pain-relieving properties. When using herbal medicine it is very important that you work with a qualified herbalist that has a good understanding of endometriosis.
If you are doing IVF you should stop the herbs prior to commencing since the interactions between drugs and herbs are poorly understood.However, I consider them to be an important part in the treatment of this condition. This case is typical of what we see in the clinic. After a course of herbal medicine and acupuncture we often see women succeed at IVF after repeated failed attempts. Moreover, throughout the course of treatment there will be an improvement in the amount and severity of pain. When combined with acupuncture this is an excellent way of treating and managing endometriosis; as well as increasing the chances of a successful IVF cycle.
COMBINING WESTERN AND CHINESE MEDICINE
By Jane Lyttleton
- For extensive or bulky endometriosis or endometromas causing distortion of tubes or ovaries, refer for surgery. If the endometriomas has been sole reason for the infertility, pregnancy often follows its removal, and it is worth waiting a few months to see if it occurs. If pregnancy does not occur in that time, commence Chinese medicine and acupuncture treatment to promote the kidney function and fertility.
- For extensive or bulky endometriosis causing pain but not causing infertility by physical distorting of the tubes and ovaries, refer for surgery and give strong Blood- regulating herbs (until one week before surgery) and acupuncture. A fertility treatment regimen should be commenced after surgery as above.
- If small brown endometriosis lesions are seen on laparoscopy and are causing significant period pain and reduced fertility, use a treatment regimen combing blood stagnation herbs and kidney tonic herbs and acupuncture.
- If small pink endometriosis lesions are seen on laparoscopy and are deemed to be contributing to reduced fertility, use acupuncture and herbs to promote the function of kidney yang.
