Acupuncture for Women’s Health
Women’s reproductive health conditions are characterised by hormonal variations, physical changes and fluctuating moods. Acupuncture is a good choice for symptoms such as period pain, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopausal symptoms because it can affect hormonal balance as well as physical and psychological wellbeing.
Acupuncture for Women’s Health, Gynaecological & Menopause Symptoms
We regularly see and enjoy supporting women experiencing:
- Period pains & related symptoms
- Endometriosis
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO/PCOS)
- Peri menopause symptoms
- Menopause symptoms
Our Success Stories
If I’d not been recommended Rawdon Acupuncture by my chiropractor, I wouldn’t be dealing with my perimenopause head on like this, I’d still be thinking it was something that just happened and that I had to live with it. I highly recommend them for their skilled acupuncture that is made even better by their manner, approach, human-ness and compassion.
VW
I’ve been using acupuncture to support me with anxiety linked to PMS that has morphed into the perimenopause. It not only calms me down (more than anything else I’ve tried) but the accompanying advice from Caroline and Rachel has been invaluable.
VW
Period Pain
Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful menstrual periods which are caused by uterine contractions. Up to 20% of women suffer from menstrual pain which interferes with daily activities.
Our experience in clinic, backed up by research (1) shows us that Acupuncture offers effective support 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 period pain for future cycles (2) & (3). Sessions aim to address the root cause as opposed to masking symptoms, also taking a wider view of health and addressing any other issues such as headache or digestive concerns.
Premenstrual syndrome/PMS
Over 200 Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms have been documented categorised into three main groups:
Behavioural symptoms: fatigue, insomnia, dizziness, changes in sexual interest, food cravings or overeating
Psychological symptoms: irritability, anger, depressed mood, crying and tearfulness, anxiety, tension, mood swings, lack of concentration, confusion, forgetfulness, restlessness, loneliness, decreased self‐esteem, tension;
Physical symptoms: headaches, breast tenderness and swelling, back pain, abdominal pain and bloating, weight gain, swelling of extremities, water retention, nausea, muscle and joint pain”
We will talk to you in your first appointment about the symptoms that you are experiencing. These occur as part of a whole body pattern. Your acupuncturist will not just focus on your mood, but will aim to reduce physical and emotional symptoms as part of the same treatment strategy. We make a diagnosis from a Chinese Medicine perspective and choose a treatment protocol unique to you. This will change over time as your symptoms improve.
Menstrual Disorders
There are many different menstrual disorders including:
- Amenorrhoea (no periods) -
- Dysmenorrhoea (Painful Periods)
- Metrorrhagia (Irregular and inter menstrual bleeding)
- Mettoraghia (Heavy Menses)
- Oligomenorrhea (Infrequent menstruation)
- Menorrhagia (heavy periods)
In Chinese medicine the menstrual cycle should be pain free and uneventful. By using the Chinese diagnostic system it is possible to find and treat the root cause of these disorders and return the menstrual cycle to a normal and regular flow. Many women use this to support a healthy menstrual cycle leading to a better quality of life or in conjunction with Fertility Acupuncture sessions at the clinic.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where cells similar to endometrial cells (cells that line the uterus) grow outside of the uterus. It typically involves the tissue lining the pelvis, ovaries, or fallopian tubes and often causes high levels of pain. Like the womb lining, the tissue builds up and bleeds every month, but with no way to escape the body, the blood is trapped, leading to inflammation, pain and formation of scar tissue.
Endometriosis is a common condition estimated to affect as many as 1 in 10 women in the UK. It is often under diagnosed leaving many women suffering in silence.
- Pain in your lower abdomen or back – usually worse during your period but also at other times in the cycle.
- Period pain that stops you doing your normal activities
- Pain during or after sex (estimated to occur in 75% of women with endometriosis)
- Pain when peeing or pooing during your period
- Feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea, or blood in your pee during your period
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Very heavy periods with flooding
- Fatigue
- Depression
Reduced Pain
Acupuncture can reduce pain by increasing our pain threshold and increasing our bodies release of endorphins, our natural pain reducer. Additionally, some studies (1) also report acupuncture affects dopamine and serotonin levels, our feel-good hormones.
(1) https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01353/full
Improved Immune Function
Studies (1) have shown that acupuncture increases our immune response by supporting our immune system. Our bodies produce white blood cells (WBC) to help us fight infection and diseases. Acupuncture appears to increase a type of WBC. These types of cells, called natural-killer cells, are the ones that attack cancerous cells and abnormal tissues. For endometriosis, this could possibly also apply to endometriosis lesions. It is known that there is an immune dysfunction(2) component with endometriosis, so supporting the immune system would be very helpful.
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5659600/
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4515278/
Decreased Cellular Oestrogen Levels
One study(1) reported that acupuncture may suppress serum oestradiol (a type of oestrogen). This hormone is often high in endometriosis cells, partly because endometriosis lesions (2) create their own local supply of oestradiol. Because oestrogen stimulates endometriosis tissue growth, this suppression may help to reduce lesion size and pain.
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5659600/
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7215544/
Decreased Inflammation
A 2017 study found that acupuncture can reduce serum CA-125 levels. This is a blood marker that is associated with high levels of inflammation, and can be elevated in those with endometriosis.
Endometriosis can cause reduced fertility. Women with moderate to severe endometriosis are sometimes advised to seek IVF in order to improve their chances of conception. Unfortunately the hormonal medication often used to control the symptoms of endometriosis also acts as a contraceptive.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
PCOS is a common hormonal condition estimated to affect up to one third of UK women. It is often characterised by an irregular menstrual cycle. It can sometimes become apparent when women come off the oral contraceptive pill after many years.
PCO is diagnosed when there 20 or more follicles are seen on an ovarian scan – these are harmless fluid filled sacs surrounding immature eggs. For many women with PCO, the menstrual cycle becomes lengthened, but it can be short, irregular or a normal length.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (POCS) is associated with excess androgens (male hormones) in the blood stream. Issues with insulin balance are also common and these imbalances can lead to symptoms such as acne, excess hair growth and weight gain.
Acupuncture and PCOS
Acupuncture is a safe treatment for PCOS, and studies have found it can help:
- Increase blood flow to the ovaries
https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/11/6/1314/772594?login=false - Reduce ovarian volume and the number of ovarian cysts
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20230329/ - Reduce cortisol levels and reduce stress
https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(08)04414-2/fulltext - Improve pregnancy rates in patients with PCOS undergoing IVF
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21894688/ - Improve metabolic function of patients with obesity-type PCOS
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18047551/ - Improving ovulation frequency
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10716298/
Acupuncture and Menopause
Menopause is a natural process representing a transition from one hormonal environment to another. This change can have profound effects on the body and mind – as it does in puberty. For some women the symptoms are very mild, for others they have a huge impact on the quality of life.
The British Medical Journal cites that Acupuncture may ease troublesome menopausal symptoms:
https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/acupuncture-may-ease-troublesome-menopausal-symptoms/
Acupuncturist Colette Assor writes an interesting article for Emme : Health & Wellness in Menopause magazine detailing the benefits of Acupuncture during the menopause:
