Georgia O'Keeffe, Series 1, No. 8 - Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Menstrual pain can be an agonising experience for some women. Acupuncture can help to reduce the severity of painful periods, as well as help to ease the symptoms of many diagnosed gynaecologic conditions, including: endometriosis, fibroids and uterine polyps, pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), ovarian cysts, fallopian tube blockage, amenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
How acupuncture can help to harmonise the menstrual cycle
Acupuncture helps to harmonise the menstrual cycle by supporting the regularity of the cycle. In Chinese medicine the relationship between yin and yang in the body is foundational to the healthy flowing of the menstrual cycle. An acupuncture treatment helps to balance yin and yang, which: facilitates an improvement in blood and qi flow to the uterus and reproductive areas, helps to regulate the volume of blood loss, supports the warming of the uterus and/or the clearing heat from the uterus. By harmonising the menstrual cycle, acupuncture can also help to improve fertility, supporting an optimal womb environment for implantation of embryo and a healthy early pregnancy.
Acupuncture can also help to direct the flow of uterine blood downwards and ease symptoms associated with stagnation of blood flow or counter-flow of the blood, for example: digestive discomfort, bloating, irritable bowel or constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches and migraines which may occur during and around the time of the period. Acupuncture can also help with the symptoms of premenstrual tension leading up to and during the period: such as breast tenderness, mood fluctuations, appetite changes and cravings, bloating, headaches and migraines.
What about hormonal imbalance and acupuncture?
Another way to understand the imbalance between yin and yang in the body, is through biomedical understanding of hormonal imbalance. One of the most common imbalances often seen in our acupuncture clinic is insufficient progesterone. Progesterone is considered a “mother hormone” in that it can be used in the body to synthesise other hormones including: estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, aldosterone. Progesterone is a warming hormone, and is considered supportive of yang qi in the body, which correlates with elevated body temperature in the luteal phase of the cycle after ovulation. When we are stressed progesterone is often low, and this is one reason why miscarriage often occurs as there is insufficient warmth and progesterone to hold the developing baby. Imbalances in progesterone can also indicate why the period may be delayed or painful. Acupuncture can help to support the bodies own production of progesterone, and is supportive of sustained changes in progesterone levels. Lifestyle, dietary adjustments and herbal medicine can also help to support healthy progesterone balance in the body.
A commonly used acupuncture point to harmonise menstrual cycle - San yin jiao (SP6)
The river of life: menstrual blood
The flow of the menstrual blood can also be likened to a flowing river, flowing from the mountain to the sea. The womb is symbolically associated with image of a downward shaped triangle and also with the image of a cave. From the cave in the mountain, the water must flow downward into the streams, then rivers where it finds its way to the sea. Ideally the flow of menstrual blood is like a smooth flowing river, without too much debris impeding its movement. When there is pain, often this indicates there is some obstruction to the flow. The obstruction could be small like menstrual blood flecked with little clots, or it could be significant as in the case of large clots and endometrial tissue adhesions causing severe pain.
As well as the opening of the womb and flowing of blood at regular intervals, the womb must also hold the blood inside until it is time to open. Acupuncture can help to support the holding of blood if the menstrual cycle is too short, or if there is bleeding between cycles, or if there is excessive menstrual blood loss.
Mount Taranaki, inverted triangle reflected in the Pouaki Tarn
a focus on treating the underlying menstrual condition
Acupuncture is focused on addressing the underlying pattern and root causes of menstrual conditions, as well as addressing pain and symptoms during a cycle. When the menstrual cycle is in harmony there are also overall improvements in wellbeing. At our Tauranga acupuncture clinic treatments are tailored to meet your individual needs, considering your medical history and your intentions for treatment. A course of treatment is often recommended to support sustained reduction in pain and symptoms. Usually, the longer a condition has been present, the longer the course of treatment required to provide benefits. However, the menstrual cycle can be very responsive to change in a particular cycle, particularly if premenstrual symptoms are major concern. In the case of premenstrual symptoms, weekly or fortnightly acupuncture treatment in just one cycle can often provide beneficial relief. To address long-term menstrual conditions or fertility, treatment over a number of cycles is usually recommended.
Sovereign Whanganui River - Ranana, Aotearoa.
If you would like to book an acupuncture treatment at our Tauranga Acupuncture Clinic, or have any queries about acupuncture for menstrual health and fertility you can contact our Acupuncturist Rose.
