Let’s be real – period pain can be a total nightmare. For many of us, it’s not just a minor inconvenience but a monthly battle that leaves us curled up on the couch, reaching for painkillers, and counting down the days until it’s over. But what if there was a natural way to ease the cramps, reduce the discomfort, and actually feel like yourself during your period?
Enter Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. These ancient practices are gaining modern recognition for their ability to tackle period pain at its root, offering relief without the side effects of conventional meds.
Why Acupuncture? It’s Not Just Needles!
You might be wondering, “Does acupuncture really work for period pain?” The answer is a resounding yes! Research shows that acupuncture can be a game-changer for women dealing with dysmenorrhea (that’s the fancy term for painful periods). Here’s the scoop:
A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research found that acupuncture significantly reduces period pain and is way gentler on your body compared to painkillers.
Another review confirmed that acupuncture doesn’t just mask the pain—it helps your body heal and rebalance, so you feel better in the long run.
So, how does it work?
Acupuncture involves tiny, hair-thin needles placed at specific points on your body to boost blood flow, relax your uterus, and balance your energy (Qi). It’s like hitting the reset button for your body.
How TCM Tackles Period Pain
In TCM, period pain isn’t just about cramps—it’s a sign that something’s out of whack in your body. Maybe your energy is stuck, or your blood flow isn’t what it should be. A TCM practitioner will take the time to understand your unique symptoms and create a personalised plan to get you feeling your best. This might include:
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is all about targeting the right spots to ease your pain. Some of the go-to points for period pain include:
Zigong (Extra Point): Near your uterus, this point helps regulate your cycle.
Sanyinjiao (SP6): On your inner leg, it’s a powerhouse for improving blood flow and calming cramps.
Guanyuan (CV4): On your lower abdomen, it strengthens your reproductive system.
And don’t worry—the needles are super thin, and most people find the sessions relaxing (yes, really!).
2. Chinese Herbal Medicine
Think of Chinese herbs as your period’s new best friend. They work hand-in-hand with acupuncture to soothe cramps, balance hormones, and keep your cycle running smoothly. Some popular herbs include:
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis): Known as the “female ginseng,” it’s a superstar for menstrual health.
Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum wallichii): Helps get your blood moving and eases pain.
Bupleurum (Chai Hu): Keeps your emotions in check and reduces stress-related cramps.
Popular herbal formulas for period pain include:
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan: Reduces cramping and promotes blood circulation.
Xiao Yao Wan: Balances hormones and alleviates stress-related menstrual pain.
Little Changes, Big Results
While acupuncture and herbs do the heavy lifting, a few lifestyle tweaks can make a big difference too:
Eat Warm Foods: Think soups, stews, and steamed veggies. Skip the ice-cold smoothies and salads during your period.
Move Your Body: Gentle yoga or a walk around the block can help ease cramps and boost your mood.
Chill Out: Stress can make period pain worse, so try meditation, deep breathing, or just curling up with a good book.
Why Choose Almond Wellness Centre?
At Almond Wellness Centre in Coburg and Ringwood, Melbourne, we’re all about helping you feel your best – naturally. Our fully qualified practitioners will:
Take the time to understand your unique needs.
Create a custom treatment plan just for you.
Support you every step of the way, so you can say goodbye to period pain for good.
Ready to Ditch the Pain?
If you’re tired of letting period pain run your life, it’s time to try something different. Contact Almond Wellness Centre today to book a consultation and discover how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help you feel your best – every day of the month.
Fill out the contact form or call our office now!
References
Liu, Z., Liu, Y., Xu, H., He, L., & Chen, Z. (2018). Acupuncture for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 44(6), 1014-1023. doi: 10.1111/jog.13631.
V. Iorno,etl. Acupuncture Treatment of Dysmenorrhea Resistant to Conventional Medical Treatment. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008 Jun; 5(2): 227–230.
Acupuncture for dysmenorrhoea. Smith CA, etl.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Apr 18;
Zhu X, Hamilton KD, McNicol ED. Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;5(5):CD012617. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012617.pub2.
Chiu HY, Pan CH, Shyu YK, et al. Effectiveness of acupuncture in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupunct Med. 2020;38(1):17-28. doi: 10.1177/0964528419878323.
Smith CA, Armour M, Zhu X, Li X, Lu ZY, Song J. Acupuncture for dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4(4):CD007854. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007854.pub3.
Lian F, Li Y, Xie RJ, Wang J, Zhang Y, Bai J. Effects of Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis in treating patients with dysmenorrhea: a systematic review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:8582727. doi: 10.1155/2016/8582727.
Shi GX, Yang XM, Liu CZ, et al. Acupuncture for chronic low back pain: a multicenter, randomized, patient-assessor blind, sham-controlled clinical trial. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2019;44(8):592-601. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002885.
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2013 May 1;304(9):E934-43. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00039.2013. Epub 2013 Mar 12.
Johansson J1, Redman L, Veldhuis PP, Sazonova A, Labrie F, Holm G, Johannsson G, Stener-Victorin E.
Abstract
Acupuncture has been demonstrated to improve menstrual frequency and to decrease circulating testosterone in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Our aim was to investigate whether acupuncture affects ovulation frequency and to understand the underlying mechanisms of any such effect by analyzing LH and sex steroid secretion in women with PCOS. This prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted between June 2009 and September 2010. Thirty-two women with PCOS were randomized to receive either acupuncture with manual and low-frequency electrical stimulation or to meetings with a physical therapist twice a week for 10-13 wk. Main outcome measures were changes in LH secretion patterns from baseline to after 10-13 wk of treatment and ovulation frequency during the treatment period. Secondary outcomes were changes in the secretion of sex steroids, anti-Müllerian hormone, inhibin B, and serum cortisol. Ovulation frequency during treatment was higher in the acupuncture group than in the control group. After 10-13 wk of intervention, circulating levels of estrone, estrone sulfate, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, testosterone, free testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, androsterone glucuronide, androstane-3α,17β-diol-3-glucuronide, and androstane-3α,17β-diol-17-glucuronide decreased within the acupuncture group and were significantly lower than in the control group for all of these except androstenedione. We conclude that repeated acupuncture treatments resulted in higher ovulation frequency in lean/overweight women with PCOS and were more effective than just meeting with the therapist. Ovarian and adrenal sex steroid serum levels were reduced with no effect on LH secretion.
Compiled from Journals, Internet, and Website resources as a tool to aid ABORM members understand the depth and breadth of Western Style research related to our fields.
Worked completed by: Diane K. Cridennda, L.Ac., FABORM, Member Board of Directors Founder/Owner: East Winds Acupuncture
J. Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines 2009
Abstract
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has significant advantages in treating gynaecological disorders. The paper has provided a brief introduction on the current progress of treating some gynaecological disorders including endometriosis, infertility, dysmenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, premenstrual syndrome, menopausal syndrome, uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic inflammation, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), cervicitis and vaginitis with Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) and acupuncture. The use of TCM in the field of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) has also been included in the review. In addition, thirty-two commonly used Chinese medicinal formulas in treating gynaecological disorders have been introduced.
Andrew Flower1 , Jian Ping Liu2 , George Lewith3 , Paul Little4 , Qing Li2
1 Complementary Medicine Research Unit, Dept Primary Medical Care, Southampton University, Ringmer, UK.
2 Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
3 Department of Primary Care, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
4 Primary Care and Population Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Aldermoor Health Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
Background
Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of tissue that is morphologically and biologically similar to normal endometrium in locations outside the uterus. Surgical and hormonal treatment of endometriosis have unpleasant side effects and high rates of relapse. In China, treatment of endometriosis using Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is routine and considerable research into the role of CHM in alleviating pain, promoting fertility, and preventing relapse has taken place. This review is an update of a previous review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, issue No 3.
Objectives
To review the effectiveness and safety of CHM in alleviating endometriosis-related pain and infertility.
Search methods
We searched the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library) and the following English language electronic databases (from their inception to 31/10/2011): MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, and NLH. We also searched Chinese language electronic databases: Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Sci & Tech Journals (VIP), Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS), and Chinese Medical Current Contents (CMCC).
Selection criteria
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving CHM versus placebo, biomedical treatment, another CHM intervention; or CHM plus biomedical treatment versus biomedical treatment were selected. Only trials with confirmed randomisation procedures and laparoscopic diagnosis of endometriosis were included.
Data collection and analysis
Risk of bias assessment, and data extraction and analysis were performed independently by three review authors. Data were combined for meta-analysis using relative risk (RR) for dichotomous data. A fixed-effect statistical model was used, where appropriate. Data not suitable for meta-analysis were presented as descriptive data.
Main results
Two Chinese RCTs involving 158 women were included in this review. Although both these trials described adequate methodology they were of limited quality. Neither trial compared CHM with placebo treatment. There was no evidence of a significant difference in rates of symptomatic relief between CHM and gestrinone administered subsequent to laparoscopic surgery (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.18). There was no significant difference between the CHM and gestrinone groups with regard to the total pregnancy rate (69.6% versus 59.1%; RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.59, one RCT). CHM administered orally and then in conjunction with a herbal enema resulted in a greater proportion of women obtaining symptomatic relief than with danazol (RR 5.06, 95% CI 1.28 to 20.05; RR 5.63, 95% CI 1.47 to 21.54, respectively). Oral plus enema administration of CHM resulted in a greater reduction in average dysmenorrhoea pain scores than did danazol (mean difference (MD) -2.90, 95% CI -4.55 to -1.25). For lumbosacral pain, rectal discomfort, or vaginal nodules tenderness, there was no significant difference between CHM and danazol. Overall, 100% of women in both studies showed some improvement in their symptoms. Women taking CHM had fewer side effects than those taking either gestrinone or danazol.
Authors’ conclusions
Post-surgical administration of CHM may have comparable benefits to gestrinone. Oral CHM may have a better overall treatment effect than danazol and it may be more effective in relieving dysmenorrhoea when used in conjunction with a CHM enema. CHM appears to have fewer side effects than either gestrinone or danazol. However, more rigorous research is required to accurately assess the potential role of CHM in treating endometriosis.
Plan Language Summary
Chinese herbs for endometriosis
Endometriosis is a common gynaecological condition causing menstrual and pelvic pain. Treatment involves surgery and hormonal drugs, with potentially unpleasant side effects and high rates of reoccurrence of endometriosis. The two small studies in this review suggest that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) may be as effective as gestrinone and may be more effective than danazol in relieving endometriosis-related pain, with fewer side effects than experienced with conventional treatment. However, the two trials included in this review were small and of limited quality so these findings must be interpreted cautiously. Better quality randomised controlled trials are needed to investigate a possible role for CHM in the treatment of endometriosis
