I Don't Care What Your Doctor Said-Pelvic Pain is NOT Normal

Pelvic pain isn’t just uncomfortable or annoying—it can be life-altering. Unfortunately, pelvic pain is often dismissed when typical examinations and tests come back “normal." Many patients report having been thoroughly evaluated without any conclusive result explaining the source of their pain. This is where Chinese medicine comes in! The truth is that pain anywhere in the body is always a sign of something deeper going on that needs attention and support. If you are frustrated with a lack of answers about the root cause of your pelvic pain, this post is for you.

In Chinese medicine, pain is a sign of stagnation and/or imbalance in the body. At Mind + Body Acupuncture, we’re here to dig deeper than surface level symptoms and get to the root causes to provide real, lasting healing.

Here, we'll cover four common causes of pelvic pain and explain how treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine offers lasting relief and deep healing.

1. Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when uterine lining tissue grows outside the uterus—commonly affecting the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and surrounding pelvic organs. This condition is associated with chronic pain and systemic inflammation and often includes symptoms like:

• Severe menstrual cramps and pelvic pain that may happen anytime during the cycle

• Mood swings

• Migraines headaches

• Bloating, digestive upset, constipation, diarrhea

• Fatigue and brain fog

• Poor sleep

• Painful intercourse

• Pain with urination and/or defecation

• Difficulty with fertility and conception

Endometriosis is strongly linked to estrogen dominance, a hormonal imbalance where estrogen levels are too high. Endometriosis lesions secrete estrogen and other hormones, contributing to worsening the imbalance. This excess estrogen can fuel the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, contributing to a vicious cycle of inflammation, pain, and other debilitating symptoms.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine are used to resolve inflammation, improve circulation to the pelvic area, soothe irritated pelvic nerves, and reduce pain and bloating. More importantly, treatment with herbal medicine, targeted supplementation and acupuncture work to restore hormone balance by supporting the liver’s natural detoxification pathways, which are crucial for addressing estrogen dominance. Balancing estrogen, supporting progesterone and controlling cortisol naturally helps alleviate pain and reduce the growth of abnormal tissue (PMID: 30518376, 24920437, 40130159).

2. Fibroids

Fibroids are benign growths that develop in or around the uterus. While they’re non-cancerous, they can cause significant discomfort, including:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding

• Prolonged periods

• Pelvic pressure and bloating

• Cramping and pain during menstruation

• Problems with fertility

• Pain with intercourse

• Gut dysfunction due to pressure from fibroids

  
  

Fibroids are heavily influenced by estrogen and progesterone imbalances. When estrogen levels rise too high or progesterone is insufficient, stimulate fibroid growth, leading to painful symptoms and serious health complications in some cases due to too much heavy blood loss.

Chinese medicine works to soften fibroid tissue and reduce associated symptoms by controlling blood flow and strengthening the body's capacity to regulate hormone levels. Acupuncture promotes healthy circulation to the uterus and reduces pain and inflammation while Chinese herbal treatments reduce bleeding, manage pain, regulate the cycle and balance hormone levels (PMID: 39640285, 32358379, 26725037).

3. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a complex metabolic and endocrine disorder that impacts the ovaries. It is often characterized by the growth of numerous cysts (fluid-filled sacs) on the ovaries. These cysts are immature ovarian follicles that have failed to release an egg. While the name suggests that cysts are a defining characteristic, not everyone with PCOS will have cysts visible on an ultrasound. Other commonly felt symptoms are:

• Long, irregular or absent menstrual cycles

• Pelvic pain and bloating

• Acne and oily skin

• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

• Insulin resistance (leading to high blood sugar and difficulty managing weight)

• Difficulty with fertility

• Hirsutism (male patterned hair growth, such as on the face and chest)

  
  

PCOS is the most common endocrine (AKA hormonal) disorder in North American women. It is often characterized by insulin resistance and elevated levels of androgens (male hormones), such as testosterone, but not all patients will show the typical lab results. PCOS hormonal imbalances disrupt normal ovulation, causing symptoms like irregular cycles, acne, and weight gain. Additionally, insulin resistance can cause the body to produce higher levels of insulin to compensate, which can worsen hormonal imbalances and contribute to weight gain, fatigue, and increased hunger.

Acupuncture and herbs are customized to help regulate menstrual cycles, support ovulation, and reduce symptoms like bloating, fatigue, and pelvic discomfort. These treatments also address the metabolic and hormonal imbalances in PCOS, improving insulin sensitivity, balancing androgen levels, and supporting healthy weight management. Since stress can worsen PCOS symptoms, acupuncture is particularly effective for calming the nervous system, which helps restore hormonal equilibrium (PMID: 34055020, 32549844, 24669195).

4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Contrary to popular belief, not all pelvic pain is gynecological in origin. IBS is a functional gut disorder that affects the digestive tract and often overlaps with pelvic pain. It’s commonly triggered by stress, anxiety and depression, and/or gut microbiome imbalances.

Common symptoms include:

• Abdominal bloating and gas

• Cramping and lower abdominal pain

• Alternating constipation and diarrhea

• Irregular or painful bowel movements

• Food intolerances and sensitivities

• Possible nutrient deficiencies due to poor gut health

  
  

For patients who menstruate, IBS symptoms often worsen during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle due to fluctuations in progesterone. Low progesterone can exacerbate digestive discomfort, contributing to bloating, cramping, and irregular bowel movements.

Chinese medicine treats IBS by addressing both the digestive and nervous systems-- sometimes called the "gut-brain axis." Acupuncture regulates gut motility, eases cramping, and reduces bloating, while also calming the central nervous system stress response that often worsens symptoms. Herbal medicine and specific supplements soothe inflammation, improves digestion, and supports gut health, helping to restore balance and alleviate IBS-related discomfort and strengthen the digestive Qi to better withstand stress, leading to reduced pain and improved function (PMID: 37732301, 24627581).

☯️ The Liver Link: How Liver Detox Relates to Pelvic Pain

A critical yet often overlooked aspect of pelvic pain is the role of the liver. The liver is essential for detoxifying the body and metabolizing hormones. When the liver isn't functioning optimally, hormonal imbalances like estrogen dominance (often seen in conditions like endometriosis and fibroids) can worsen. The liver also helps clear excess toxins from the body, which can contribute to inflammation, pain, and hormonal disruptions.

Why promoting healthy liver detox is crucial:

• In Chinese medicine, the Liver plays a very important role in regulating the menstrual cycle, handling stress, emotional processing, executive function and planning, sleep, healthy circulation, hormone balance, health of our joints and connective tissue, and more. Promoting strong liver function with acupuncture, herbal medicine, stress management and dietary support significantly improves symptoms of all of the above conditions, including but not limited to relief of pelvic pain.

• Estrogen metabolism: The liver breaks down and eliminates excess estrogen. If liver detoxification is sluggish, estrogen builds up in the body, exacerbating conditions like endometriosis and fibroids and causing a host of uncomfortable symptoms.

• Reducing inflammation: A well-functioning liver supports the body’s natural detox pathways, reducing systemic inflammation that contributes to pelvic pain, mood issues, acne, bloating, and many other unwanted symptoms.

⚠️ A Note on Hormonal Birth Control ⚠️

Many of our patients are offered hormonal birth control (or antidepressants) as a standard treatment for pelvic pain. While these options can provide temporary symptom relief, they don’t address the root causes of pain, inflammation, or hormonal imbalance.

For some, birth control offers much-needed symptom relief—especially in the short term. However, it doesn't balance your hormones; it replaces your natural cycle with synthetic hormones, effectively masking deeper issues. When someone with endometriosis or PCOS stops birth control, the underlying problem is often still there—and can even return more aggressively.

We’re not anti-birth control— it can definitely be a useful tool for short-term relief of severe symptoms. However, every patient deserves to make informed choices and have access to treatments that address the root causes of their symptoms. At Mind + Body Acupuncture, we focus on restoring natural hormonal function, supporting detoxification, and regulating cycles to address the root causes of symptoms, not just cover them up.

The Power of Integrative Treatment

At Mind + Body Acupuncture & Wellness, we understand that pelvic pain deserves real answers and personalized care. Our integrative approach combines:

• Acupuncture

• Chinese herbal medicine

• Targeted nutritional supplements

• Lifestyle and stress management strategies

  
  

Together, these therapies help:

✅ Reduce inflammation

✅ Improve circulation to the pelvic area

✅ Balance hormones and regulate menstrual cycles

✅ Support healthy liver detoxification and hormone metabolism

✅ Restore gut health and pH balance

✅ Calm the nervous system and build resilience to stress

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all model—it’s individualized, effective care designed to treat you as a whole human.

Ready to Feel Better?

If you’ve been struggling with pelvic pain despite your exams and labs coming back “normal," you’re not alone—and you don’t have to accept this "unexplained" pain as part of your life. We are here to listen, hold space, and help you to understand what is going on while working towards lasting results. This is where true healing starts.

🌿 Let’s find the answers—and relief—you’ve been looking for! We invite you to book your first appointment or a FREE 15-minute discovery call to talk with one of our licensed acupuncturists and herbalists about what’s really going on in your body—and how we can help.