What Helps Endometriosis Symptoms? Expert Tips for Pain, Bloating & Hormone Balance

At Elix, we’re committed to empowering you with accessible clinically tested herbal formulas and expert education. In honor of Endometriosis awareness month, we hosted two expert-led women’s health webinars on endometriosis and distilled the top Q&A’s into a summary blog—so you can become your own best health advocate.

Endometriosis Webinars 

If you’d rather skip the summary and watch the webinars, here they are - enjoy! 

Endo 101: From a Western Medicine Perspective with Dr. Jessica Ritch 

Endo 101: From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective with Dr. Elizabeth Fine 

Top Endometriosis Questions 

1. How Can You Relieve Endometriosis Pain Naturally?

Endometriosis-related pain can be debilitating, but there are a variety of tools that may help relieve discomfort.

What Are the Best Herbs for Endometriosis Pain?

Elix Cycle Balance Formula: A personalized Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) organic herbal blend that targets the root cause (aka your pattern diagnosis) of hormonal imbalance and symptoms associated with endo. 

“In my own patients with endometriosis, I’ve seen significant symptom relief with Elix. I love it’s tested, verified, and backed by data.” -  Dr. Ritch

Does Heat Therapy Help Endometriosis Pain?

Use heating pads, warm compresses, or hot baths to relax muscles and improve blood circulation in the pelvic region.

Can Breathwork and Acupressure Reduce Pain?

Chronic stress increases cortisol, which fuels inflammation, a driver of endometriosis. Try:

• Deep breathing: Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds to activate the vagus nerve and reduce pain perception.
• Acupressure: Massaging the ear Shen Men point can help regulate stress responses.

What Are the Best Exercises for Endometriosis Pain?

• Gentle stretching, yoga, and walking help reduce inflammation and improve blood flow.
• Pelvic floor physical therapy can be beneficial for those experiencing painful intercourse or bladder dysfunction.

“Managing stress, improving circulation, and regulating Qi stagnation are key to reducing pain naturally.” - Dr. Fine

2. Do You Need to Take Birth Control for Endometriosis?

Hormonal birth control (pills, IUDs, injections) is a common treatment for endometriosis, as it suppresses ovulation and lowers estrogen levels. However, it’s not the only option.

“One of the reasons I like Elix is that many people don’t want to be on birth control, have had side effects, or don’t want surgery. Even those who’ve had surgery or are trying to conceive often prefer a more natural option.” - Dr. Ritch 

Can Chinese Medicine Help Balance Hormones Without Birth Control?

• Regulates estrogen dominance naturally: Herbs like Ginger and Motherwort have been shown to help the liver detoxify excess estrogen.
• Reduces inflammation: Adaptogenic herbs like Rehmannia and Peony root calm the immune system’s overreaction to endometrial lesions.
• Supports progesterone sensitivity: TCM herbs have been shown to help balance estrogen-progesterone ratios without artificial hormones.

“Birth control isn’t the only way to regulate endometriosis. Chinese medicine is unique because it looks at the full body—hormones, digestion, stress response—to bring everything back into balance. Many people prefer to use Chinese herbs to support natural hormone modulation, and you can use both western medical treatments and Chinese herbs in tandem. ” - Dr. Fine

3. How Can You Reduce Endometriosis Bloating (“Endo Belly”)?

Endometriosis-related bloating is often caused by inflammation, gut microbiome imbalances, and hormone fluctuations.

“Bloating can be severe, making some people look six months pregnant. Addressing gut inflammation is key to symptom relief.” - Dr. Ritch 

What Foods Should You Eat or Limit to Reduce Bloating?

• Eliminate inflammatory foods – Reduce dairy, sugar, gluten, and processed foods, which worsen bloating.
• Increase fiber intake – Supports healthy estrogen metabolism through the gut.
• Hydration & probiotics – Helps regulate gut bacteria and reduce leaky gut syndrome, which is common in endometriosis.
• Warm, easy-to-digest foods (soups, broths, steamed vegetables) - Gentler on digestion.
• Anti-inflammatory foods - like turmeric, ginger, and omega-3-rich foods may help support gut balance.

What Are the Best Herbs for Bloating?

• Elix’s Zoey’s Digestif – Contains herbs known to help regulate digestion, decrease bloating, and improve gut motility.
• Elix’s Ginger Aide – Ginger is shown to support digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties. 

4. How Can You Support Fertility with Endometriosis?

Endometriosis can affect fertility due to inflammation, poor implantation, and scarring in the fallopian tubes. However, many people with endometriosis can and do conceive.

What Are the Best Ways to Improve Fertility with Endometriosis?

• Start with herbal support: Your customized Cycle Balance formula can improve blood flow and support a healthy hormone balance, and has been shown to support common symptoms those with endo experience.
• Check your fallopian tubes: A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) test can assess if blockages exist.
• Consider surgery if necessary: Laparoscopic removal of lesions may improve fertility.
• Reduce stress and inflammation: Meditation, breathwork, and acupuncture may help relieve tension and promote relaxation.

“The best time to conceive is right after recovering from surgery, when inflammation is at its lowest.” - Dr. Ritch 

5. How Can You Advocate for Yourself If Your Doctor Dismisses Your Symptoms?

Unfortunately, many people with endometriosis are misdiagnosed or dismissed for years before receiving proper care.

 “Many people are told painful periods are ‘just part of life’—but that’s NOT normal. Keep pushing until you find someone who listens.” - Dr. Ritch 

What Can You Do If Your Doctor Won’t Listen?

• Find a Minimally Invasive Gynecologist – They are the experts in endometriosis excision and treatment.
• Keep a symptom diary – Track pain levels, bloating, period flow, and digestive issues to present to your doctor.
• Ask direct questions:
  • “Could these symptoms be related to endometriosis?”
  • “What diagnostic tools can confirm this?”
• Get a second opinion – If your doctor dismisses your pain, find another provider.
• Bring research – If your doctor is unaware of new treatments, bring studies or articles to discuss.

6. What Lifestyle Changes Can Help Manage Endometriosis Symptoms?

“Endometriosis isn’t just a reproductive condition—it’s a full-body, inflammatory disease. Holistic healing involves diet, herbs, stress management, and self-care.” - Dr. Fine 

• Anti-Inflammatory Diet – Focus on whole foods, omega-3s, and fiber-rich meals while reducing processed foods, dairy, and sugar.
• Reduce Toxins – Limit alcohol, environmental chemicals, and hormone-disrupting plastics.
• Mind-Body Therapies – Try meditation, breathwork, acupuncture, and yoga.
• Prioritize Sleep – Aim for 7-9 hours per night to regulate hormones.
• Gentle Movement – Walking, swimming, and tai chi help improve circulation and reduce stress.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve Comprehensive Care

• Consider an integrative approach – A combination of Western medicine, herbal medicine, and lifestyle changes may be helpful.
• Advocate for yourself – If your pain is dismissed, find a provider who takes it seriously.
• Explore personalized herbal support – Many of Elix’s community members are taking another step to take control of their endo with their personalized Cycle Balance formula, reporting many improvements in common endo symptoms like pain, heavy bleeding, bloating, and mood swings.  

Looking for holistic, science-backed support? 

Take the Elix Health Assessment today to get your recommended Cycle Balance formula!

This article was reviewed by Dr. Elizabeth Fine.

Dr. Elizabeth Fine is currently the Dean of Clinical Education at Emperor’s College, the #2 ranked colleges for TCM. She has been practicing Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine for over 20 years, with a specialization in women’s reproductive health.