By Emily Navas LAc

Whether it is fluctuating hormones, cycle changes, pain, headaches, mood swings, weight gain and perhaps even sleep issues all these are noticeable symptoms that in Chinese medicine are not normal and need to be addressed with either regular Acupuncture and possibly herbs. Let’s look at 4 areas concerning women’s health where this ancient medicine has greatly helped:

Menstrual cycle

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine play a great role and influence on women’s health. For one thing, regulating menstrual cycles and alleviating symptoms such as PMS syndrome or PMD with cramps, back aches, bloating and mood swings or headaches are par for the course in treatment with Acupuncture. These symptoms are not normal according to Chinese medicine. In fact, Chinese medicine sees these symptoms as an imbalance in the body. The smooth functioning of the liver has everything to do with regulating the menstrual cycle and symptoms of the latter may become chronic left untreated each month. Most women experience uneventful periods when getting regular acupuncture treatments. Which leads me to the next issue that Acupuncture can benefit greatly, fertility!

Fertility

Our society is filled with women living in a “go and do, do, do” lifestyle. This doesn’t leave much room for the body to rest into the stillness of developing a baby in a womb and the necessary proper functioning of hormones to allow for a healthy uterus and healthy egg production. We are constantly living in a sympathetic nervous state and thus, our hormones are directly affected by a stressed out state. Everything from cortisol, to insulin to sex hormones are affected. Acupuncture has shown to improve fertility by first handedly activating the parasympathetic nervous system which in turn regulates hormones and reduces anxiety and stress. Acupuncture also increases blood flow to the reproductive organs stimulating a healthy cycle and a uterus that can be ripe and ready for implantation.

Pregnancy

Then there is the impact that Chinese medicine and acupuncture can have on preconception, and pregnancy. Not only does Chinese medicine incorporate healthy lifestyle teachings and dietary recommendations to prepare one for a healthy body along with preconception planning, but eventually to address underlying disease dynamics that need to addressed before pregnancy occurs. During pregnancy, Acupuncture plays a huge role in nourishing the mothervia blood and body fluid synthesis. Acupuncture maintains the proper function of the organs to nourish both mother and baby through the use of points along specific meridians that are connected to organs and organ systems. Acupuncture also has points that address early pregnancy stage nausea, backache, headaches or insomnia that may come with pregnancy. Ultimately, getting regular acupuncture during pregnancy optimizes the mother’s chances of having an easier labor and delivery.

Menopause

Lastly, easing the stages of peri menopause and menopause, Acupuncture is extremely helpful with the fluctuating energy levels, mood swings, brain fog and hot flashes. Including herbal supplementation for increasing Qi, focus and reducing hot flashes, Acupuncture can ease the mental emotional stressors that accompany hormone imbalances and weight gain and improve overall well-being.Regardless of your symptoms at whatever stage you are in your life, Acupuncture together with the use of herbal medicine can be the ideal preventative medicine and equilibrium for hormonal changes. I invite you to explore this system of medicine.