Acupuncture & Women’s Health

Hormonal imbalance in women leads to symptoms such as period pain, digestive upset, fluctuating moods, headaches, and so on. The menstrual cycle consists of four stages which can be clearly divided into two main parts – the follicular phase, and the luteal phase.

Follicular phase (yin). This begins on the first day of your period. During this phase, one or more follicles will grow large enough for ovulation to occur. After your period, the endometrium (lining of the uterus) gets thicker and ready to receive a newly fertilized egg. During this time more oestrogen than progesterone is produced.

Luteal phase (yang). This is the time between ovulation and the beginning of menstruation. During this time, progesterone is produced by the ovary and nutrients are secreted by the uterine lining.

Why Acupuncture for Hormonal Imbalance?

The area of women’s health has been overlooked by western medicine until recent times, and has little to offer to the many women enduring pain and suffering due to hormonal imbalances.

While acupuncture has been used in Asia for thousands of years, it is becoming increasingly popular globally. Research is now emerging that support its use for a number of women’s health issues, including the symptoms of:

• Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)

• Dysmenorrhoea (period pain)

• Irregular menstrual cycle

• Amenorrhoea (no menstrual cycle)

• Endometriosis

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

• Menopause

According to TCM, when our bodies are balanced there should be no pain with menstruation and there should be a good flow including – colour, consistency, amount and duration.

If you are seeking acupuncture for hormonal imbalance, your TCM practitioner will ask many questions about your menstrual cycle as this provides valuable information to understand what is happening in your body, so they can make an accurate diagnosis.

Natural Help for PMS 

PMS is a highly prevalent condition with an estimated 80% of women affected. It is commonly treated with oral contraceptive pills and antidepressants, which many women can have trouble tolerating due to negative side-effects.

PMS can manifest in many ways, and therefore TCM diagnosis is based upon individual presentation. Your acupuncture practitioner will thoroughly assess your menstrual cycle and general health which will help to understand your body and treat the root cause.

Stress and emotional upset are common causes for PMS, and from a TCM perspective, can disrupt the free flow of qi (energy), resulting in an array of symptoms including emotional imbalance, neck/shoulder tension and skin breakouts. Other women may experience digestive upset, such as bloating, loose stools, constipation, cravings or an altered appetite.

The general recommendation for women experiencing cycle or hormonal imbalance, is weekly acupuncture treatments for at least three cycles. Your practitioner will work with you and prepare an individualised treatment plan according to the four phases; acupuncture may be used alone or alongside other treatment methods.

At Sakura Acupuncture Brisbane, your wellbeing is our priority and we offer an integrative approach to healthcare, working alongside your other healthcare providers when relevant to help you gain the best outcome.