There’s a promising new study suggesting that Chinese herbs are an effective treatment against endometriosis, a disease that threatens fertility and effects an estimated 5.5 million women in the US. This is exciting news, since women who suffer from endometriosis are generally given two treatment options – powerful medications with side-effects, or surgery. Most feel they have no choice, particularly if they are facing infertility (and some don’t, depending on the stage of their disease).

For years I’ve been referring patients with early-stage endometriosis to acupuncturists, and I know they’ve been helped. I hope the word gets around about this latest study, as I believe it’s the first of its kind in the English language, and it will be the first that many women hear of this treatment option. For the right patient, Chinese herbs can mean significant improvement with no side-effects and no surgery.