Can acupuncture help with period pain?

Period pain is a debilitating condition for many women, particularly younger women.

There is good evidence to show that acupuncture is very effective for reducing the intensity of menstrual cramps and the length of time the pain is experienced. Unlike painkillers, it doesn’t just treat the symptoms as they occur but has an effect to lessen the period pain for future cycles.

At your first session, your acupuncturist will take a detailed case history to establish exactly what’s going on for you physically and mentally. Hormonal variations can cause other problems such as:

• Bloating, breast tenderness and fluid retention
• Mood swings
• Food cravings
• Digestive irregularities
• Headaches

As holistic therapists, we target these conditions as part of your treatment. Your acupuncture is tailored to suit you at each stage of your cycle. It’s recommended that you come for a course of 6 sessions in order to get the most benefit from the treatment.

Acupuncture for premenstrual syndrome/PMS

Many women experience mood swings during their menstrual cycle, but a significant percentage of women experience significant feelings of depression, anxiety, and irritability. Symptoms associated with PMS include:

• Depression, feeling hopeless or guilty
• Irritability/persistent anger
• Poor concentration
• Fatigue, food craving or increased appetite
• Sleep disturbance
• Feeling out of control or overwhelmed
• A headache and body aches
• Swelling/bloating/weight gain

These symptoms occur as part of a whole body pattern. Your acupuncturist will not just focus on your mood but will aim to reduce physical and mental symptoms as part of the same treatment strategy.

Can acupuncture help with PMS?

The cause of PMS is unknown but it is influenced by fluctuations of hormones in the brain. Acupuncture can alter the brain’s mood chemistry, reducing serotonin levels and increasing endorphins, which can help to combat negative emotional states.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a common hormonal condition affecting the ovaries. Up to one-third of USA women have polycystic ovaries (10 or more follicles per ovary), and of these roughly one third are diagnosed with PCOS.

Polycystic ovaries are not covered with cysts, but harmless fluid-filled sacs surrounding immature eggs. For some women, this leads to irregular periods as ovulation is disrupted. For some women, there are no adverse symptoms. One of the most common effects of polycystic ovaries is to disrupt fertility.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (POCS) can be harder to live with and is associated with hormonal imbalance. Excess androgens (male hormones) in the bloodstream and issues with insulin balance can lead to symptoms such as acne, excess hair growth and weight gain.

Can acupuncture help with PCOS?

Acupuncture is a safe treatment for PCOS, and studies have found it can help:

• Increase blood flow to the ovaries
• Reduce ovarian volume and the number of ovarian cysts
• Reduce cortisol levels and reduce stress
• Improve pregnancy rates in patients with PCOS undergoing IVF
• Improve metabolic function of patients with obesity-type PCOS

The Benefits of Acupuncture

Many medical treatments just treat your symptoms.  Acupuncture treats the root cause of your complaint.  This not only improves your complaint but also helps with other symptoms – you may find that you are sleeping better, niggling back pain has gone and you have a general sense of wellbeing.