Women, men & hormones
Acupuncture for Menstrual Complaints and PMS
Every month the same cramps, a bloated belly, tender breasts or the feeling that you are not quite yourself for a few days. Many women see menstrual complaints as something that simply comes with it. Yet severe pain, heavy bleeding or strong mood swings are not a natural part of a healthy cycle. Acupuncture and laser acupuncture can be used to support the body towards a cycle that is calmer and more predictable.
What are menstrual complaints?
Menstrual complaints is an umbrella term for symptoms linked to the monthly cycle. Think of painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) with cramps in the lower abdomen or lower back, heavy or prolonged bleeding, an irregular cycle, bleeding between periods or a period that stays away for a long time.
Premenstrual complaints (PMS) arise in the days or sometimes the week before the period and ease once the period starts. Common symptoms are irritability, low mood, tearfulness, tense or painful breasts, headaches, a bloated belly, fluid retention, fatigue, cravings and poor sleep. When the mood symptoms are so intense that they seriously disrupt work or relationships, this is called PMDD.
The cycle is governed by a delicate interplay of hormones. Stress, lack of sleep, illness, significant weight changes, intensive exercise and stopping or starting the pill can disturb that interplay. Sometimes an underlying condition plays a role, such as endometriosis, fibroids, polyps, PCOS or a thyroid problem. That is why it is important to have persistent or changing symptoms assessed by your GP or gynaecologist first.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Menstrual complaints from a TCM perspective
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, menstruation is seen as a mirror of the balance between Qi and Blood. The Liver ensures smooth flow, the Spleen produces Blood and keeps it in the vessels, and the Kidneys form the foundation of the cycle. The timing of the symptoms, the character of the pain and the colour and amount of blood give clues about the pattern at play.
Liver-Qi stagnation
Gan Qi Yu JieWhen Qi does not flow freely, TCM associates this with PMS: irritability, mood swings, tense breasts, a bloated belly and cramps that start before or at the onset of the period. Stress and pent-up tension reinforce this pattern.
Blood stasis
Xue YuStabbing, fixed pain that worsens with pressure, dark blood with clots and relief once the clots have passed are associated in TCM with stagnant Blood. This pattern is also often seen in endometriosis.
Cold in the uterus
Han Ning Bao GongCramping pain that improves with a hot water bottle or warmth, cold hands and feet and dark blood with clots are associated in TCM with Cold slowing the flow in the lower abdomen.
Qi and Blood deficiency
Qi Xue Liang XuDull pain towards the end of or after the period, scanty or pale bleeding, fatigue, dizziness and pale skin are associated in TCM with a deficiency of Qi and Blood. A cycle that keeps getting longer or stops can also fit this pattern.
How can acupuncture and laser acupuncture help with menstrual complaints?
In the first consultation your cycle is mapped out: its length, the amount of bleeding, when the symptoms occur and how they feel. Sleep, tension, energy and digestion are also considered. Because the cycle returns every month, treatment is often tailored to the phase you are in.
- 01Acupuncture: very fine, sterile needles are used on points on the lower abdomen, lower back, lower legs and feet, among others. In TCM these are used to support the flow of Qi and Blood and to regulate the cycle.
- 02Tuning in to your cycle: before the period the emphasis is often on relaxation and flow, after the period on building up and recovery. A course of treatment therefore usually spans several cycles.
- 03Ear acupuncture with the laser: points on the ear can be used as support for pain, restlessness and mood swings. At Bai Kang this is always done with the laser, never with needles.
- 04Needle-free alternative and acupressure: all points can also be treated with therapeutic laser light. You will also be shown simple acupressure points you can use yourself when the cramps come on.
Prefer no needles?
Every treatment can also be carried out completely needle-free with laser acupuncture, in which the same points are treated with therapeutic laser light. Ear acupuncture is always carried out with the laser. Acupressure, which also uses no needles, can be used as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can acupuncture help with period pain?
Acupuncture can be used as support for period pain. There has been research into acupuncture and acupressure for painful periods, and some studies describe a reduction in pain. The quality of the studies varies, and the degree of change women experience differs per person.
Does acupuncture also help with PMS?
With PMS, TCM often looks at tension and a disturbed flow of Qi. Treatment then focuses on relaxation, mood, sleep and symptoms such as tense breasts and a bloated belly. Many women notice they get through the days before their period more calmly, although this varies per person.
When in my cycle is the best time to come?
That depends on your symptoms. For PMS or period pain, a treatment in the week before the period is often useful, complemented by treatment during the rest of the cycle. In the first consultation we agree on a rhythm that suits your cycle.
How many treatments are needed?
Because a cycle lasts about a month, treatment usually spans two to three cycles. After that we review together how you respond and whether maintenance treatment is useful.
Can I combine acupuncture with the pill or an IUD?
Yes. Acupuncture can be given alongside hormonal contraception and other medication. Do mention it during the intake so it can be taken into account. Do not stop prescribed medication yourself without consulting your doctor.
Can I be treated during my period?
Yes, that is fine. The choice of points is sometimes adjusted slightly. If you have a lot of pain at that very moment, a treatment can be used then as well.
Related
Related complaints & patterns
Endometriosis
Severe period pain, pelvic pain or pain during sex, also alongside conventional treatment.
Menopause symptoms
Hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and restless sleep.
Headaches
Tension headaches, a heavy feeling, or pressure radiating from the neck and shoulders.
Personal Treatment Plan
Troubled by your cycle every month?
During a first appointment, we look at the course of your cycle and what plays a role in your body, and which form of acupuncture suits you.