A woman’s womb [uterus] is lined with a tissue called endometrium, this tissue can sometimes leave the uterus and grow in locations within the pelvic cavity, and in some cases in shoulder joints. The endometrium tissue responses to the sex hormones, progesterone, and oestrogen. The endometrium tissue whether outside or inside of the uterus respond to these hormones.

 

During ovulation, the endometrium cells thicken. The cells within the uterus are able to leave the body via menstruation but the cells outside have no way of being dispelled out of the body causing the cells to bleed creating inflammation and pain. Over time this process creates scar tissue. The fibrous tissue may form outside of the uterus, causing the uterus to adhere to the ovaries, fallopian tube, bladder, or the bowel. Endometriosis may cause dysmenorrhea painful period and if untreated a possible reduction in fertility.

 

The pain associated with endometriosis can be so severe, that it makes going to work or school unbearable. Some women experience this pain only during their menstruation, whilst others constantly experience the pain. The mainstream treatments have mild to severe side effects and mainly focus on the pain management, but there is also a need for emotional support, as this condition is of a chronic nature affecting their life, work, and studies.

 

The symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods • pain during sex • pelvic pain • ovulation pain • pain in the lower back and thighs • both bowel and bladder symptoms •lowered fertility • nausea and fatigue • premenstrual syndrome Many women believe, or are told that painful periods are normal, there is a lot of misinformation related to menstruation, possibly because its viewed as a taboo subject and many young women are uncomfortable in the communication of this topic.

 

The national curriculum under the health and physical education, focus on a broader program of sexuality and relationship, sexual health, drugs and alcohol and mental health, but minimal information on women's health. This is of concern as 10% of women experience endometriosis in Australia, ranging from the ages of 13 years to 48 years.

 

A Literature paper titled ‘Japanese- Style acupuncture for endometriosis – related pelvic pain in adolescents and young women: the results of a randomized sham-controlled trial ‘, demonstrated positive results assisting with pain associated with endometriosis. The active group consisted of 9 participants who experienced a,62% reduction in pain after 4 weeks of which differed significantly from the control group of 5 participants.

 

Reduction of pain in the active group persisted through a 6-month assessment, and no serious adverse event was reported. The use of acupuncture in endometriosis pain looks promising and more research is both feasible and warranted.