Acupuncture for painful and heavy periods
Updated: Aug 27
This post focuses on the benefits of acupuncture for painful periods (primary dysmenorrhea) and heavy periods (menorrhagia) as these two conditions accompany each other in most cases. Millions of women in the United States and around the world suffer from heavy and painful periods (primary dysmenorrhea) every month. While some women dismiss their painful periods as normal, it's important to understand that pain is not a normal aspect of menstruation. Painful and heavy periods not only debilitate women’s ability to work and function in daily life but also become a serious danger to health if left untreated.
According to the Women & Health Journal article Dysmenorrhea: a public health challenge demanding urgent attention,"Severe dysmenorrhea is known to significantly impact school or work attendance, participation in sports and exercise, and social relationships (MacGregor et al. Citation2023). It adversely affects academic performance, with approximately one-third of individuals who experience severe dysmenorrhea reporting having missed classes due to their pain (Patavegar et al. Citation2024), while those in attendance report reduced concentration in class (Femi-Agboola, Sekoni, and Goodman Citation2017). Students with dysmenorrhea are eight times more likely to experience disruptions in their educational performance compared to those without the condition (Armour et al. Citation2019). Additionally, limited participation in social and sports activities has been consistently associated with dysmenorrhea (Orhan et al. Citation2018). When combined with the psychological burden of dysmenorrhea, evidenced by its links to anxiety and depression (Bajalan et al. Citation2019), the implications can be profound, particularly for marginalized groups who may face additional stigma and barriers to care. These potential long-term consequences may be significantly detrimental to health, quality of life and socioeconomic outcomes."
According to an updated review on primary dysmenorrhea by the Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine, "70% percent of women of reproductive age worldwide suffer from primary dysmenorrhea. Although the conventional approach to managing primary dysmenorrhea is with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and combined hormonal contraception as first-line therapies, new evidence has reinforced the importance of non-pharmacological interventions in managing primary dysmenorrhea including TENS, acupuncture, exercise, and manual therapy now have stronger trial support."
Painful and heavy periods can cause the following symptoms
Anemia
Excessive body heat
Excessive sweating
Chronic fatigue
Muscle and joint pain
Headaches
Dizziness
Fainting
Poor memory, inability to concentrate
Insomnia
Constipation
Bloating
Anxiety, depression
Irritability
Hypersensitivity
Hair loss excessive
Abnormal body hair
Heart palpitations
Liver disorders
Thyroid imbalance
High blood pressure
Disturbing dreams
Phobias
Socially withdrawn
Infertility
Prolonged periods
Irregular periods
Weakened immunity
Muscle weakness
Edema
Dry skin
Discoloration of skin
Weight gain
Conventional medicine treatment for painful and heavy periods
In conventional western medicine, the two commonly prescribed methods of treatment for heavy, painful periods are birth control hormone treatment and hysterectomy. Birth control is useful as a short-term, emergency treatment to quickly control the excessive hemorrhage. Hysterectomy, in severe cases where all available treatment methods fail, is necessary as a last resort option. However, both methods have their drawbacks.
Birth control treatment can be useful short-term but is not a feasible long-term treatment for several reasons:
Birth control suppresses the natural functions of the body's hormone system.
Birth control may control the bleeding and alleviate pain but does not treat the root cause(s) and does not repair the damages done to the body, therefore many existing problems created by the heavy periods remain unfixed.
Many women reported that they still have heavy bleeding even while taking birth control.
Long term use of birth control hormones can contribute to cancer development.
Hysterectomy and its drawbacks:
Hysterectomy puts the female body into early menopause which creates a different set of imbalances including common symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, sleep disturbance, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, hair thinning. Even with partial hysterectomy where the uterus is removed but at least one of the hormone-producing ovaries is intact, women have reported experiencing menopause symptoms in varying degrees.
Hysterectomy is not a feasible option for women of childbearing age who wish to have children.
Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment methodology for painful and heavy periods
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are highly effective in treating painful and heavy periods with the treatment focus on the root cause of the problem as well as alleviating the symptoms.
According to Chinese medicine diagnosis, the primary cause of heavy and painful periods is blood stagnation, meaning blood is not circulating properly and smoothly throughout the body and is obstructed especially in the reproductive area of the female body and along the energy channels connecting to the reproductive area. Some of the common causes of blood stagnation in a woman's pelvic area are trauma, injury, surgery, invasive medical procedures done to the pelvic area such as D&C, and childbirth.
The aim of the acupuncture and herbal treatment is to break up the blood stagnation, regulate and assist the movement of blood, and clear any associated imbalances. A licensed acupuncturist will be able to determine any manifesting signs and symptoms associated with the blood stagnation as everyone's constitution is different. Regardless of any other presenting symptoms and imbalances, blood stagnation is always the primary root cause of painful and heavy periods and clearing blood stagnation is the primary treatment goal. By achieving this end, much of the heavy bleeding and pain can be resolved. The acupuncture and herbal treatment also aim at repairing the damages caused to the body due to the heavy menstruation as well as rebuilding the energy system, blood system, and organ health.
The treatment protocol requires acupuncture and Chinese herbal intake for three months. Thereafter, a period of maintenance of six months to one year is recommended for the body to continue the healing process to completion. In complex cases such as endometriosis, longer treatment time is necessary.
Benefits of acupuncture treatment for painful and heavy periods
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are natural and safe for long-term support.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine do not interfere with or suppress the hormone system, rather they support the hormone system in its normal functions.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are excellent alternatives for those who can't tolerate hormone therapy.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment are excellent alternatives when hysterectomy is not an option for women who wish to have children.
Dietary and lifestyle tips for painful and heavy periods
Avoid heavy meat consumption especially red meat. Women with endometriosis have reported marked reduction in menstrual pain and the volume of bleeding after they eliminated red meat from their diet. White meat and fish are good replacements for red meat.
Drink a glass of red wine daily is helpful in the week before and the week of bleeding to clear blood stagnation and regulate blood circulation. Red wine with its warm property is better than white wine or chilled wine for regulating blood circulation.
Eat more purple eggplants in the week before and the week of bleeding. Purple eggplants have the ability to break up blood stagnation specifically in the uterus.
Eat more purple or deep red color foods such as red onion, purple cabbage, purple eggplants, grapes etc. Purple and deep red color foods have the ability to break up blood stagnation in the body.
Avoid vigorous exercise or overexertion in the week before and the week of bleeding.
April Bui, LAC is a Texas licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist, Usui Reiki Master, Holy Fire Reiki Master and Instructor, and owner of Dharma Reiki & Acupuncture clinic. April has been in practice for more than 18 years as an acupuncturist and more than 25 years as a Reiki practitioner. April is passionate about helping people, healing, and teaching. She devotes much focus to her clinical practice as well as training future Reiki healers. April is available for in-person consultation; you will get an in-depth assessment and a personalized treatment plan for your conditions. Schedule your free consultation with April today.
