Women's Health
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue in areas of a woman’s body outside the uterus. It can be a painful condition, and can also impact fertility. Western medicine has found there to be a number of different factors that may be involved in the development of endometriosis, but some of the main ones are related to impaired immune function, physical anomalies of the reproductive organs, as well as genetic predisposition.
From an environmental health perspective, exposures to dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls have been linked to endometriosis in primates, as well as exposure to diethylstibestrol (DES) in utero. High alcohol and caffeine consumption has been linked to increased risk of endometriosis and there appears to be a link between endometriosis and exposures to estrogenic compounds.
Generally, what is seen in women with endometriosis from our view at Nurture is an issue with the circulation of blood, as well as the appearance of certain pathologies linked to inflammation. Using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine we address the pathologies that we see with regards to the underlying issues of what may be causing the endometriosis. We also advise our patients on appropriate food and lifestyle choices based on both Chinese and environmental medicine.