Acupuncture helpful for endometriosis?

How many people with endometriosis use Acupuncture to relieve their symptoms?

23,06% of people with endometriosis have already tried Acupuncture to relieve endometriosis in our survey.

20,15% of them find that Acupuncture very helpful.
The following table shows the endometriosis remedy Acupuncture among people with endometriosis. The scale ranges from 1 (not helpful at all) to 5 (very helpful).

Does Acupuncture help with endometriosis?

Acupuncture
(n = 402)
20,15%
15,67%
24,38%
13,68%
26,12%

Tabular summary for Acupuncture

Rating Percent Count
not helpful at all 26,12% 105
hardly helpful 13,68% 55
slightly helpful 24,38% 98
helpful 15,67% 63
very helpful 20,15% 81

Acupuncture bei Endometriose

Acupuncture is probably the best-known aspect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which holds that the body is traversed by numerous energy pathways. If one or more of these pathways are blocked, pain or illness can result. Acupuncture aims to release these blockages so that Qi can flow freely again. To do this, fine needles are inserted into very specific points on your body and left in place for about 30 minutes. To find exactly the right point, the acupuncturist gently probes the area with the needle where they suspect a blockage. What is barely noticeable at unblocked sites can sometimes be painful at the target point. The actual prick, however, is usually hardly perceptible. Over the course of a session, several needles are placed. After about an hour, the session is complete.

Even though scientific studies on the effect of acupuncture on endometriosis-related symptoms are still relatively scarce, it tends to have a positive influence. Acupuncture might therefore help you as well. The list of potential indications is long and includes not only gynecological conditions but also all kinds of pain and mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

At the beginning, acupuncture sessions are typically recommended every one to two weeks over a period of about three months. Unfortunately, both acupuncture and TCM treatments are not currently covered by statutory health insurance. So clarify the costs directly before your first appointment. Prices vary widely, ranging from about 25 to 50 euros per session.

Further sources:

  • Mira, T.A. 2018. “Systematic review and meta-analysis of complementary treatments for women with symptomatic endometriosis.” International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics 143(1): 2-9. One in Ten. 2021. “Traditionelle Chinesische Medizin bei Endometriose & Adenomyose.” https://www.one-in-ten.de/endometriose-adenomyose-tcm/ (Zugriff 09.02.2022)
  • Xu Y. et al. 2017. “Effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” PLoS One 12(10).

Did you know that you can also have a big influence on endometriosis symptoms yourself? In the Endo App you learn self-management techniques for endometriosis and find many interactive exercises to relieve symptoms.