If endometrial tissues emerge outside the uterine cavity, the symptom is termed "Endometriosis." It is characterized by secondary, progressive painful menstruation, irregular menstruation and sterility. In TCM, it is discussed under the topics of Tong jing (dysmenorrhea), Beng Lou (metrorrhagia and metrostaxis), Zhengjia (abdominal mass) and Bu Yun (sterility). This illness is caused by impeded flow of Qi and blood, beading t the obstruction of the Penetrating Channel and Controlling Channel and dysfunction of the uterus.

Classifications and Treatments
This disease is commonly caused by the stagnation of Qi and blood stasis.
Clinical manifestations: Abdominal pain starting from 1-2 days preceding the menstrual cycle, drastic pain on the first day of menstruation which is aggravated progressively year by year; the pain in the lower abdomen and lumbo-sacral region which radiates to the perineum, the anus or the thighs; copious menses or prolonged menstrual cycle wit incessant drippings of bleeding; a case history of sterility. The tongue is purplish dark with thin, either whitish or yellowish fur. The pulse is either deep and taut or uneven.
Gynecological examination finds purplish blue nodes in the posterior fornix of the vagina or in the uterine cervix, with the uterus retroversed, adhered and fixed, and with its activity restricted. On the posterior uterine wall, in the retrouterine excavation and uterosacral ligament, bean-like, hard-textured nodes can be touched with obvious tenderness; in the appendicular region in active cystic mass is perceivable with mild tenderness when pressed.
Therapeutic method: Promote blood circulation and get rid of blood stasis.
Recipe: Gexia Zhuyu Decoction
Ingredients:
Radix Angelicae Sinensis
Faeces Trogopterorum Praeparata
Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong
Radix Paeoniae Rubra
Semen Persicae
Flos Carthami
Fructus Aurantii
Rhizoma Corydalis
Cortex Moutan Radicis
Rhizoma Cyperi
Radix Linderae
Radix Glycyrrhizae
Decoct the herbs in water to get 200-300ml of decoction for a day's dose. Take one half of it in the morning and the other half in the evening.
Modification: In case of listlessness and poor appetite, deduct Faeces Trogopterorum Praeparata, but add to the recipe Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae, Radix Astragali seu Hedysari.
In case of cold pain in the lower abdomen which can be relieved by warmth, deduct Cortex Moutan Radicis, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, but add Fructus Foeniculi,Fructus Evodiae. In case of sterility due to obstruction of the oviduct, add Herba Speranskiae Tuberculata, Squama Manitis,Spina Gleditsiae.
Other therapies
The cases with anemia, use the following formula:
Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae
Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong
Rhizoma Sparganii
Rhizoma Zedoariae
Resina Olibani Praeparata
Myrrha
Flos Carthami
Sanguis Draconis
Decoct the above herbs into 150-200 ml of decoction. Inject the liquid into the colon through the anus as its temperature drops to 37?. The operation is done before night sleep.
Caution
The stricture of the cervix and the excessive retroflexion of the uterus must be rectified so as to prevent the countercurrent of the menses caused by blood stasis.
Avoid unnecessary pelvioscopy during the menstrual period. Avoid the implantation of endometria caused by manipulations in the surgical operation.
Dr. Ming's TCM Medical Center,
Hua Xi Xiao Yuan, Hutian Developing Area,
Huaihua city, Hunan province
China