Endometriosis

Las Vegas Fertility Acupuncture

Endometriosis can be both a debilitating issue and a sneaky one. Frequently, endo is first suspected when a woman has stabbing, horribly painful periods with lots of clots; often the period blood is dark red or purple. There are frequently digestive issues such as diarrhea, or nausea and vomiting. Pain may flare in other places, too, in your general abdominal area, the anus, hips, back. Sometimes endo is sneaky. I’ve had patients with endo where the only sign was a very short (21) day cycle as the only symptom. No pain, no period issues: but it deeply affected their fertility.

Understanding a Normal Endometrial Lining

Every cycle, women shed their uterine lining (the endometrium) in preparation for building a fresh, vital, new lining. If you visualize your uterine lining, most of it is discharged down. But in all women, some of it goes up and out of the uterus into the body. How? If you look at the diagram above, notice that the fallopian tubes are not attached to the ovaries: it’s not a closed system. When you have your period and your uterus contracts to shed the lining, it’s like squeezing a tube of toothpaste open at both ends: most goes down, some goes up. Normally, when the endometrial cells escape into the body, they float around, die quickly and the immune system cleans them up. But in a woman with endo, that’s not what happens.

Low Progesterone

20% of the time recurrent miscarriage is caused low progesterone, which Chinese medicine can also address. Just supplementing with extra progesterone after a confirmed pregnancy only has a small effect (1%), because proper embryo development requires more than justprogesterone after fertilization. Low progesterone is an indication of hormonal imbalance during the follicular development process. Progesterone issues need to be resolved before a pregnancy, during egg development, which we focus on by treating you throughout your whole cycle.

What Happens in Endometriosis?

First, the endometrial cells are super sticky, so they stick to each other, and stick to other tissues abnormally. That’s why clotty periods are common. But it also means that when the cells go into the body cavity, they stick to things they shouldn’t and act like glue, which means that other body tissues start adhering, too. Second, endo cells secret chemical signals that tell the immune system that they are supposed to be there, so the immune cells don’t clean them up the way they normally would. That means the endo cells stay there. Third, endometriosis cells don’t die the way they should. Most normal cells undergo a process called apoptosis, a process of normal cell death. Endometriosis cells have the kill switch off, which means they stay alive and divide, creating more of themselves. In short, endometriosis cells go where they don’t belong, stick to things they shouldn’t, don’t get cleaned up when they should, and don’t die like they ought to.

Endo and Fertility

In terms of fertility, endometriosis creates further complications. Endometriosis has an affect on normal blood flow to the ovaries. Part of the problem is that women with endometriosis are estrogen dominant. Whether excess estrogen is the cause, the result, or both, of endometriosis, the excess estrogen inhibits normal follicular development and interferes with healthy uterine lining development. The effect is a huge problem. Endo decreases blood flow to the ovaries and creates an estrogen heavy environment, compromising the nutrients that are delivered to developing follicles and inhibiting their growth. It also affects implantation. The sticky endometrial tissue prevents healthy implantation, much like a seed you plant that sticks halfway out of the mud rather than being fully buried in the ground. So fertility in women with endo gets a double whammy: poor egg quality and poor implantation. In fact, in IVF, success rates for women with endometriosis are decreased 40-50%.

Diagnosing and Treating Endo

Western medicine doesn’t have a way to treat endo, other than birth control and surgery. While they can help, these treatment methods don’t get to the root of the problem. Fortunately, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and lifestyle changes that are rooted in both Chinese medicine and Western science can help. Acupuncture and lifestyle changes are equals in this work. Lifestyle is the foundation — how you eat, sleep, move, and manage stress — so acupuncture can rebalance hormones, address the specific fertility issue, and tie everything together. Both are critical. In Chinese Medicine, endometriosis is classified as stagnant blood: that’s the diagnosis. The key to treating endometriosis is understanding the root cause. In CM, there are four types of endometriosis: hot, cold, qi stagnant or combination types. How endo is treated depends on what type you have. Whether you want to manage your symptoms and feel better, or you are trying to get pregnant, treating the root cause with acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help.

Success Treating Endo Symptoms To Regain Normal Life

I have successfully treated all different types of women with endo. One patient had had 3 endometrial surgeries, and was barely able to get herself up in the morning to get her kid to school. She spent her days on the couch, hadn’t seen friends in 3 years, and hadn’t been home in 8 because of the endo. With a few acupuncture treatments, and several months of herbs, she was back to normal. Another patient was able to live life, but her period was miserable and sex was excruciating. 3 months of acupuncture and 6 months of herbs, and she was back to normal and sex was enjoyable again.

Success Treating Endo for Fertility

For TTC patients treatment takes longer. We need to normalize hormones and promote healthy egg and lining development. Ninety days is the window for maximal change. It is not the only useful window. Every acupuncture treatment still helps, and if you are in an IVF cycle right now, still come in — there is still benefit. For women undergoing IVF, several months of preparation is often appropriate before a focused cycle. Many patients report better period comfort and daily function during care. I cannot guarantee fertility or pain outcomes — severity and medical history vary — but supportive whole-person care is the goal alongside your physician’s plan.

Patient stories

AY — post-surgery pain and whole-person care

Dr. Grant is a truly exceptional practitioner whose expertise, compassion, and holistic approach to healthcare have profoundly improved my quality of life. I have been a patient of Dr. Grant for the past two years, seeking her guidance and treatment following my laparoscopic surgery to remove ovarian cysts. Like many others who struggle with endometriosis, I assumed that after surgery my pain would subside, and I would finally experience relief. However, despite medical intervention and trying four different types of birth control, I continued to experience chronic pain that affected both my physical and emotional well-being.

Feeling frustrated and disheartened, I turned to holistic medicine in hopes of finding a more comprehensive and sustainable way to heal my body. That’s when I found Dr. Grant, and from the very beginning, it was evident that she was not just an acupuncturist but a healer in every sense of the word. She took the time to truly listen to my story, understand my symptoms, and tailor a treatment plan specific to my needs. Within a few months of acupuncture treatments, lifestyle adjustments, and targeted supplements, I saw a dramatic change in my painful periods, which had been a constant struggle, were no longer controlling my life.

But Dr. Grant’s impact on my health journey extends far beyond pain relief. She has guided me through a complete lifestyle transformation, helping me make intentional choices in my diet, sleep habits, and exercise routine to better support my body. With her expertise, I learned how certain foods contribute to inflammation and hormonal imbalances, and with her guidance, I was able to make dietary changes that significantly improved my overall health. She helped me adopt a more anti-inflammatory and nutrient-rich diet, emphasizing the importance of whole, unprocessed foods, adequate hydration, and mindful eating habits.

Dr. Grant also helped me recognize the role that sleep plays in healing and hormonal balance. Prior to working with her, I struggled with irregular sleep patterns, often waking up fatigued despite getting enough hours of rest. She educated me on the importance of sleep hygiene, recommended natural sleep aids and relaxation techniques, and encouraged me to create a bedtime routine that supports deeper, more restorative rest. Over time, I found myself waking up feeling more refreshed and energized, something I hadn't experienced in years.

Additionally, she helped me reframe my approach to exercise. In the past, I believed that intense workouts were the key to maintaining health, but Dr. Grant helped me understand that my body needed more gentle, supportive movement to reduce inflammation and stress. With her encouragement, I incorporated yoga, walking, and strength training in a way that nurtures my body rather than depletes it. These changes have not only improved my physical well-being but also contributed to my mental and emotional health, making me feel stronger and more in tune with my body.

Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Grant has been a steadfast source of support as I transition into a new chapter: starting a family. Navigating fertility and endometriosis can be overwhelming, but she has provided unwavering guidance, helping me prepare my body for pregnancy with a holistic and proactive approach. Her calm demeanor, wealth of knowledge, and genuine care have been invaluable during this journey, making me feel empowered rather than fearful.

Dr. Grant is more than a practitioner; she is a partner in healing, a mentor in wellness, and a compassionate ally to those seeking a better, healthier way of life. Her integrative approach to health, blending acupuncture, nutritional guidance, lifestyle changes, and emotional support, has changed my life in ways I never thought possible. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking not only relief from pain but a deeper understanding of their own health and well-being. I am immensely grateful for her care and expertise, and I have no doubt that she will continue to positively impact the lives of many others.

— AY

JW — after excision surgery and pregnancy support

I am so glad to have been seen for treatment by Lisa since 2017.

I first saw Lisa following laparoscopic surgery for Endometriosis excision and removal of my endometrial tissue and adhesions as well as my left ovary and fallopian tube.

A year later I was pregnant thanks to Lisa’s holistic care in treating my symptoms and addressing my infertility and previous recurrent pregnancy losses.

After seeing me through two pregnancies Lisa has continued to help me find more balance with pain management and hormones including my other endo-related symptoms.

I am doing far better today than I ever had been since being diagnosed. Throughout my visits with her in addition to consistent acupuncture experience Lisa has also provided overall counseling and a great sounding board for determining the correct combination of supplements and dietary changes for managing my endo-symptoms.

Even now that I am mostly symptom free Lisa continues to improve her own training and education in a constant effort for improvement of any kind regarding my symptoms and overall health.

— JW

LC — after miscarriage and fertility journey

After I had my miscarriage and no answers from my OB on why it happened I started researching online about different reasons and things that can cause fertility issues. I ended up reading about oriental medicine for infertility and looking at videos from fertility acupuncturists. It peaked my interest to say the least. My husband and I wanted to continue to conceive naturally because we couldn’t afford IUI and IVF treatments which neither of our insurance covers. I looked around in my area and came across Dr. Lisa Grant’s website.

I contacted Dr. Lisa Grant and had a free phone consultation with her. After speaking with her I felt hopeful, and I felt this was exactly what we needed because western medicine was not able to support us in the way we wanted. Part of the initial treatment was taking Lisa’s online fertility 90 day reset workshop which covered lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, appropriate fertility supplements, detox processes and nutrition changes. There was one module for my husband too. After completing the workshop I learned a lot. I started to incorporate the changes that I could and so did my husband.

When I met with Lisa, we went through a thorough intake. She looked at all of mine and my husband’s lab work and diagnostic tests. We talked about our health, our fertility journey, and what we have tried so far at the time.

From what she reviewed from my lab work she thought there could be some underlying issues which we started to look into further. After changing some more things with my nutrition which became a permanent lifestyle change she ordered more labs and the results improved.

Lisa created a personalized lifestyle plan for me which included acupuncture and herbal treatment.

I experienced painful menstrual cramps throughout my life and the pain management treatment from the acupuncture and to the herbal treatment improved my symptoms each month.

There was a point during my treatment where we tried IUI a couple of times which was not successful. Lisa felt there was something else because everything we were doing should have had some result. She contacted a western OB that she has referred other patients to. They both agreed that I could have endometriosis. Which I learned is very hard to diagnosis. With my husband and I trying to conceive naturally for almost a year and a half after seeing Lisa and trying a couple of IUIs the next step that was recommended was IVF. Lisa started personalizing my treatment and supplements to prepare my body for IVF as we were working with the IVF provider’s office on scheduling out the process.

During the same time all of this was going on my period was late. I called the IVF provider’s office to let them know because that same cycle was when I was supposed to start my IVF medication. They sent me to get blood drawn and an ultrasound. During the ultrasound is when I had found out I was pregnant. I broke down due to the shock that it finally happened.

I continued to see Lisa for acupuncture treatment during my entire pregnancy post-partum.

I can’t thank Lisa enough for taking a personalized and holistic approach on my infertility to finding the root cause. Her experience and expertise on supporting patients like me is something that I will never forget because she made our wish come true with our family planning journey. Lisa is the best at what she does.

— LC

Next step

If endometriosis pain or fertility is part of your story, request a consultation. Care is individualized and works alongside your medical team when needed.

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