March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about a disease that affects 1 in 10 people who menstruate. Six Branches’ own Angela Bell L.Ac. was able to sit down with Maria Skillings on the News Center Maine podcast this week to talk about her experience with endometriosis and how acupuncture and herbal medicine can help some people with this disease. Watch the full interview here:

In this NewsCenter Maine podcast, Angela Bell highlights endometriosis as a common yet frequently underdiagnosed condition affecting approximately 1 in 10 people with a uterus. She emphasizes that endometriosis is not just “painful periods,” but a complex, systemic inflammatory condition that can impact digestion, fertility, energy levels, and overall quality of life.

A key point is the significant delay in diagnosis—often many years—due to normalization of menstrual pain and lack of awareness. Angela underscores the importance of listening to patients’ experiences and recognizing symptoms such as severe menstrual pain, pain with ovulation or intercourse, and chronic pelvic pain as clinically meaningful.

She also discusses acupuncture as a supportive, integrative treatment option that can help regulate the nervous system, reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and modulate pain. While not a cure for endometriosis, acupuncture can play a meaningful role in symptom management and improving quality of life, especially when used alongside conventional care.

The overall message: earlier recognition, validation of patient symptoms, and integrative approaches can significantly improve outcomes for people living with endometriosis.