Acupuncture is increasingly used to support women’s health, addressing a wide range of reproductive, hormonal, and emotional issues.
Below are the ways in which acupuncture can help:
1. Regulating Menstrual Cycles
Irregular Periods: Acupuncture can help regulate menstrual cycles by balancing the hormones that control menstruation. It is particularly beneficial for women with irregular cycles, often caused by hormonal imbalances, stress, or underlying health conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea): Acupuncture is frequently used to alleviate menstrual cramps and other discomforts associated with menstruation, by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation in the uterus.
2. Fertility Support
Ovulation and Egg Quality: Acupuncture is believed to improve ovarian function and egg quality by stimulating blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, creating a more favourable environment for conception.
Supporting Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): Many women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI) choose to incorporate acupuncture alongside Western fertility treatments. Research suggests acupuncture can improve outcomes by increasing blood flow to the uterus, reducing stress, and balancing hormones.
PCOS: Acupuncture has been shown to help balance insulin levels and reduce the effects of PCOS, which can help regulate ovulation and improve fertility in women with this condition.
3. Menopause and Perimenopause
Hot Flushes and Night Sweats: Acupuncture is widely used to manage hot flushes and night sweats, common symptoms during perimenopause and menopause. It can help regulate the body’s temperature control mechanisms and ease the discomfort of these symptoms.
Mood Swings and Anxiety: Many women experience mood fluctuations, irritability, and anxiety during hormonal changes. Acupuncture is known to have a calming effect on the nervous system, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and improve emotional well-being.
Sleep Issues: Acupuncture can promote better sleep by balancing the body’s energy and calming the nervous system, which can be particularly helpful for women dealing with menopause-related insomnia.
4. Pregnancy Support
Morning Sickness: Acupuncture can help reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester.
Labour Preparation: From pregnancy week 37, acupuncture is can be used in the weeks leading up to delivery to help prepare the body for labour. It can help to promote better positioning of the baby, reduce anxiety for the mum, and help increase her energy levels.
Breech Presentation: Acupuncture & Moxibustion can help naturally turn a baby and is most effective between 32 and 27 weeks of pregnancy as the baby has move room to move.
Postpartum Recovery: After childbirth, acupuncture may help with healing, balancing hormones, reducing pain (such as from caesarean sections or episiotomies), and promoting lactation. A technique called Mother Roasting focusing on the lower back and abdomen can be particularly useful to help the uterus heal and contract back down and provide much needed energy and nourishment to warm and tonify and promote healing.
5. Managing Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain
Endometriosis: Acupuncture is used to reduce pain and inflammation in women with endometriosis. By increasing blood flow to the affected areas and balancing hormone levels, acupuncture may help manage symptoms such as pelvic pain, cramping, and heavy periods.
Chronic Pelvic Pain: For women experiencing unexplained pelvic pain, acupuncture can help alleviate discomfort and support the healing process by promoting relaxation and better circulation.
6. Emotional and Mental Health
Stress and Anxiety: Acupuncture can stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” hormones, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. This can be especially beneficial for women dealing with emotional stress, work-life balance issues, or mental health conditions like depression.
Postpartum Depression: Acupuncture is sometimes used as a complementary treatment for postpartum depression (PPD), helping to rebalance hormones, alleviate emotional distress, and improve sleep.
7. General Well-Being
Improved Energy and Vitality: Acupuncture is thought to promote overall wellness by balancing the body’s energy (known as Qi in TCM), improving blood circulation, and boosting immune function. Many women report increased vitality and reduced fatigue after regular acupuncture treatments.
Hormonal Balance: Acupuncture may help balance hormone levels across different stages of life, from puberty through menopause, addressing issues like acne, fatigue, and irregular hormone cycles.