Women’s Reproductive Health

• In the days leading up to your period, if you experience breast tenderness, irritability, fatigue, bloating, and constipation; then you are suffering from Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD.) An effective way to alleviate PMS symptoms is through acupuncture. Book an appointment with us. What do you have to lose? Only your pain! (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

• Women who have missed three or more periods in a row, or teen girls who have not begun menstruating by age fifteen, are considered to have amenorrhea. For a menstrual cycle to occur, the hypothalamus (the area of the brain that controls hormones) has to signal the pituitary gland to release Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). When FSH and LH are released, this will cause the ovaries to produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. As estrogen and progesterone levels cycle, this causes changes in the thickness of the uterine lining (endometrium.) This is how the menstrual cycle works. There are many causes of amenorrhea and if there are any issues with the endocrine system, or with the vaginal tract, that may be the reason. If you are certain that pregnancy isn’t the cause of your amenorrhea, you should seek medical attention and consider booking an appointment with us for acupuncture. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

• Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for experiencing a very painful period. This is usually caused by excessive contractions of the uterus which result in uncomfortable cramping. The pain is located mainly in the pelvic and lower abdominal area and lower back. It can also cause nausea, headaches, and dizziness.

  Some women may experience pain with such severity that it interferes with their life for multiple days during their period. If you miss time at work or school because of the pain that your period causes, it’s time to take control and manage your symptoms. Acupuncture has been found to be as effective as Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (such as Advil, Aspirin, Motrin, Aleve) for relieving pain in women experiencing dysmenorrhea.  My clients have noticed significant relief of their pain after one visit. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

• Endometriosis is a condition where the uterine lining grows and implants in areas of the body where it normally shouldn’t. Endometrial tissue can occupy fallopian tubes, ovaries, areas of the pelvis, bladder, bowels and even the diaphragm. Women experience pain at different times in their cycle; usually most intensely during their period, but it is also important to know that, when it comes to pain and endometriosis, there is no rhyme or reason.

  Individuals with small amounts of endometrial tissue may experience more pain than individuals with larger amounts, and vice versa. The endometrial tissue can cause pain, inflammation and scar tissue.

  Symptoms of endometriosis:

• chronic pelvic pain

• painful periods (dysmenorrhea)

• abnormal uterine bleeding including heavy/excessive bleeding

• pain with intercourse

• pain between periods

• pain with bowel movements or urination

• fatigue, nausea

• digestive issues and bloating

• ovarian cysts (endometriomas) and

• infertility

  Acupuncture can help to manage the symptoms that come along with endometriosis including severe abdominal cramping, lower back pain, fatigue, nausea and headaches. Acupuncture can significantly reduce the amount of pain you experience due to endometriosis. Acupuncture causes a release of neurotransmitters that reduce pain and allow you to go about your normal routine. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

• Fibroids and ovarian cysts are common in women. Fibroids are tumors that form on the inside of the uterus, whereas ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form inside or on the surface of ovaries. These tumors are almost always benign. Symptoms of having fibroids and ovarian cysts include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding

• Severe cramps

• Bloating in the lower abdomen

• Pain during intercourse

• Lower back pain

• Frequent urination

  Although fibroids and ovarian cysts generally do not cause major health issues; they can become a problem when a woman tries to conceive a baby. These conditions can cause issues in producing a viable egg or with implantation of the embryo in the uterus. Acupuncture can help to manage the levels of estrogen and progesterone. When estrogen levels are high, the fibroids and ovarian cysts tend to increase in size. When the fibroids and cysts are at their largest this can cause a discomfort and prevent an embryo from implanting in the uterus. Acupuncture is used to regulate pelvic nerves and female sex hormone levels, improve blood circulation in the pelvic cavity, and enable uterine fibroids and cysts to be effectively treated. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

• PCOS is an endocrine system disorder that is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • Increased androgen levels

  • Irregular ovulation

  • Infrequent menstruation

  • Multiple cysts on the ovaries

  • Weight gain

  • Hair growth

Acupuncture has helped many women cope with this disorder, and you can overcome it too. In severe cases, this disorder can impact a woman’s fertility. Acupuncture can improve menstrual frequency, stimulate ovulation, decrease circulating androgens in the body, and normalize estrogen activity in women with PCOS. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

• When women come to the end of their reproductive years, Estrogen and Progesterone decrease in the body. Many women will experience a multitude of unwanted symptoms during this time, including:

  • Hot flashes

  • Night sweats

  • Poor memory and “brain fog”

  • Difficulty with sleep, anxiety

  • Irritability and mental restlessness

  • Muscle and joint pain

  If you are a woman in her 40’s and 50’s and experiencing these symptoms, you should know that acupuncture can help you through this transition. We have personally experienced most of these symptoms and benefited from acupuncture treatments. We have also treated many women with acupuncture to help them get some relief from these symptoms. 

  Acupuncture improves hot flash frequency and severity, menopause-related symptoms, and quality of life (in the vasomotor domain) in women experiencing natural menopause. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)