How to Treat Adenomyosis Without Surgery: Effective Drug and Herbal Therapies for Symptom Relief

For many women diagnosed with adenomyosis, the first worry is: “Does this mean I have to remove my uterus?”This concern is especially strong among younger women who still want to have children — or simply wish to preserve their uterus. The idea of surgery can be confusing and anxiety-provoking.

But here's the truth: having adenomyosis doesn't automatically mean you need a hysterectomy. As long as your condition allows, it's entirely possible to manage symptoms and slow disease progression through conservative medical treatments and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies — and even improve your chances of natural conception.

I. Why Hysterectomy Isn't Always Necessary

Adenomyosis occurs when the endometrial tissue — which normally lines the uterus — grows into the uterine muscle layer. This tissue still follows the menstrual cycle, leading to repeated bleeding within the muscle, which causes the uterus to enlarge, menstrual pain to intensify, and bleeding to become heavier.

Although adenomyosis is a benign condition, its symptoms can feel quite “malignant” — severe cramps that make it hard to stand, heavy periods that lead to anemia, and a serious impact on daily life.

The key point is: it's not cancer and it doesn't threaten your life. Therefore, the main treatment goal is to control symptoms, preserve uterine function, and improve quality of life.

If you wish to keep your uterus, doctors will always prioritize conservative (non-surgical) treatments for adenomyosis before considering surgery.

II. Conservative Medical Treatments

Medication can effectively control adenomyosis symptoms. It's especially suitable for women with moderate symptoms, those who still wish to conceive, or anyone who prefers to delay or avoid surgery.

1. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Medications like ibuprofen and naproxen are commonly used to relieve menstrual pain.

They work well for pain control, especially if you don't want long-term hormonal therapy.

However, keep in mind — they treat the symptoms, not the cause. NSAIDs won't reduce the size of the lesions.

2. Hormonal Therapy: Calming the Uterine Lining

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills):

Help regulate hormone levels, lighten periods, and reduce cramps. They can also slow disease progression.

Suitable for younger women and generally well-tolerated, but require consistent, long-term use.

Progestin-based medications (e.g., Dienogest):

Suppress endometrial growth, reduce bleeding, and ease pain.

In some cases, they even shrink the lesions.

GnRH agonists:

These create a temporary “menopause-like” state by suppressing ovarian function, which causes the lesions to shrink.

Ideal for short-term use, especially before surgery or in severe cases.

However, they can't be used long-term due to side effects such as bone loss.

While these treatments are effective, they must be used under medical supervision with regular follow-ups, as each has potential side effects.

III. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Regulation

TCM helps relieve symptoms and prevent recurrence by regulating qi and blood, improving overall constitution, and restoring internal balance.

In TCM, adenomyosis falls under the categories of “zheng jia” (masses caused by blood stasis) and “dysmenorrhea” (painful menstruation). According to TCM theory, the main causes are qi and blood stagnation, cold and damp accumulation, and disharmony in the Chong and Ren meridians.

Therefore, the treatment principle is to invigorate blood circulation, dispel stasis, warm the meridians, and regulate the reproductive channels.

1. Herbal Formulas (Internal Treatment)

In TCM, treatment is highly individualized — different constitutions call for different formulas:

Qi stagnation and blood stasis type (abdominal distension and pain before menstruation, irritability):

Modified Xiang Leng Wan — soothes the liver, promotes qi flow, and resolves blood stasis.

Cold stagnation and blood stasis type (cold pain in the lower abdomen, dark menstrual blood with clots):

Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang — warms the meridians, dispels cold, and relieves pain.

Phlegm-damp obstruction type (overweight, excessive vaginal discharge, greasy tongue coating):

Kai Yu Er Chen Tang combined with Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan — eliminates dampness and phlegm, activates blood, and unblocks meridians.

Liver and kidney deficiency type (dull pain after menstruation, lower back weakness, fatigue):

Gui Shen Wan combined with Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan — nourishes the kidney essence and resolves stasis.

For patients who find decoctions inconvenient, patent Chinese medicines can be a practical option. One commonly used formula is Fuyan Pill, which offers broad therapeutic benefits for various TCM patterns of adenomyosis.

It works by clearing heat and toxins, activating blood flow, softening masses, and regulating menstruation to relieve pain. It is especially helpful for women with chronic pelvic inflammation, abnormal discharge, or lower abdominal heaviness. Beyond symptom relief, it helps restore the overall balance of the female reproductive system and reduce recurrence.

Note: Fuyan Pill is a prescription-only medicine and should be used under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner — self-medication is not recommended.

2. Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps unblock meridians, regulate endocrine balance, and relieve menstrual pain by stimulating key acupoints such as Guanyuan (CV4), Qihai (CV6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zusanli (ST36).

Many women report that after several sessions, their menstrual pain eases and sleep improves. For busy women, embedding therapy (thread implantation at acupoints) provides prolonged stimulation — like “long-acting acupuncture” — making it a great option for those with tight schedules.

3. External Therapies

Moxibustion: Applying heat with moxa sticks on Guanyuan (CV4) and Zhongji (CV3) warms the uterus, dispels cold, and is particularly suitable for women who often feel cold or have cold-related menstrual pain.

Herbal hot compress: Applying a heated herbal pouch with blood-activating ingredients over the lower abdomen is simple, safe, and can even be done at home.

Herbal steam therapy (Du meridian fumigation): Warm herbal steam applied along the spine stimulates yang energy, promotes circulation, and is especially effective for pain due to cold and blood stasis.

Although these methods may require time and consistency, they are safe, non-invasive, and gentle, and long-term adherence often leads to surprisingly positive results.

IV. Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine: A More Effective Approach

Adenomyosis management works best when Western medicine and TCM complement each other:

During the acute phase: Western medicine helps control symptoms such as pain and menstrual irregularities.

During the stable or recovery phase: TCM focuses on improving body constitution and consolidating the treatment results.

At the same time: Balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and emotional well-being enhance overall recovery and reduce recurrence.

For example, if you're already taking hormonal medication, adding TCM therapy under medical supervision can help reduce side effects and stabilize results.

If you're planning for pregnancy, your doctor might first use medication to shrink the lesion, then apply TCM-based body conditioning to improve reproductive health and increase conception chances.

V. Daily Self-Care Tips

No matter what treatment you choose, your daily habits play a decisive role in the outcome:

Diet: Avoid cold, spicy, greasy foods and alcohol—especially during menstruation, skip iced drinks.

Keep warm: Protect your abdomen, lower back, and feet from cold. Stay cozy in winter, and avoid sitting too long in air-conditioned rooms during summer.

Stay active: Engage in gentle exercise like brisk walking, yoga, or swimming for about 30 minutes daily to boost blood flow and ease pain.

Manage emotions: Don't bottle up stress—emotional tension can lead to liver qi stagnation, worsening blood stasis. Learn to relax and keep a positive mindset.

Maintain regular routines: Go to bed early and avoid staying up late. A steady sleep schedule supports hormonal balance and overall recovery.

VI. When Should Surgery Be Considered?

Although we encourage non-surgical approaches whenever possible, it's also important to stay realistic. If any of the following situations occur, your doctor may recommend surgery:

Severe menstrual pain that can no longer be controlled with medication;

Heavy menstrual bleeding leading to significant anemia;

Desire for pregnancy, but the lesion is too large and interferes with conception;

Disease progression despite consistent conservative treatment.

Even then, surgery doesn't always mean removing the uterus. Options such as adenomyosis lesion resection or uterine artery embolization can help preserve the uterus while alleviating symptoms. The best approach depends on your age, reproductive plans, and overall condition.

Conclusion

Adenomyosis is not a reason to panic. With modern medical treatments and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulation, there are many effective ways to manage symptoms and protect the uterus.

Don't rush into hysterectomy out of fear — and don't ignore the disease just because the symptoms seem mild.