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GYNECOLOGICAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

home / Gynecological and Reproductive Health

home / Gynecological and Reproductive Health

Balancing women’s health through acupuncture

A woman’s body transforms through many hormonal cycles throughout her lifetime. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help restore hormonal and emotional balance during all stages of her respective journey, and has shown to be effective in treating the following gynecological conditions:

Acupuncture may also be a great option for you if you suffer from heavy, painful or irregular periods.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

In a recent scientific study, acupuncture’s success rate in treating PMS symptoms was 77.8%, versus 5.9% in a placebo group.

It rebalances and increases the body’s flow of energy, which can become disrupted over time through stress, overwork and poor dietary habits. Restoring balance can stabilize hormonal fluctuations, reducing anxiety, mastalgia (breast pain), insomnia, headaches and other PMS symptoms.

Menopause

Menopause is marked by the permanent cessation of the menstrual cycle and the end of a woman’s ability to conceive. This is a normal part of the aging process and occurs when the ovaries discontinue making hormones called estrogens. Although this can happen sooner, this usually occurs in women between 45-60. Hormonally, menopause is indicated when estrogen levels decline, causing the pituitary gland to secrete higher levels of FSH.

Menopausal symptoms may include joint pain, hot flashes, night sweats, restlessness, memory loss, bone loss, headaches, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, moodiness, and depression.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, menopause is primarily due to Kidney Qi Deficiency. Responsible for growth, maturation and aging, kidneys are considered the source of our “essence” and our foundation, and require to be nurtured throughout our entire life. Excessive stress, overwork, poor diet and lack of sleep can deplete the kidneys over time and may cause menopause to be more taxing.

Acupuncture has the ability to alter various biochemical conditions to re-balance the body and alleviate menopausal symptoms. Acupuncture for menopause is often administered in combination with herbal medicine, and possibly dietary and lifestyle modifications.

UTERINE FIBROIDS

​At least 25% of women are affected by uterine fibroids, which are benign tumors comprised of smooth uterine muscle and connective tissue. The uterus is the most common site for muscle tumors to occur. Conventional Western medicine believes estrogen can trigger fibroids and cause them grow more quickly.

Some with uterine fibroids may be asymptomatic, while others may suffer from excessive menstrual bleeding, painful periods (dysmenorrhea), bleeding between periods (spotting), pelvic pain or fullness, pain during intercourse or frequent urination.

The leading cause of hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) in the U.S., fibroids can also hinder fertility.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have been used for centuries to treat uterine fibroids effectively, which can significantly shrink or disappear. When the underlying cause of fibroids is treated, they are less likely to keep growing back. For many women, they disappear naturally after menopause when estrogen levels naturally decline. 

POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS)

PCOS is an endocrine disorder that impacts both fertility and general health. This condition causes the ovaries to develop multiple small cysts and is triggered by elevated insulin levels that stimulate excess androgen production. It is said to affect up to 10% of women of reproductive age, and up to 90% of women with irregular menstrual cycles.

The most common symptoms of PCOS: irregular periods, lack of ovulation, Infertility, hirsutism, insulin resistance and unusual weight gain.

PCOS influences fertility by affecting ovulation. When less estrogen is produced, the more LH and testosterone are generated. If the PCOS sufferer does ovulate, the egg is usually of feeble quality due to the surroundings in which it has been developing. Healthy eggs require growth in an estrogen and progesterone (female hormones) nourished environment, not in an androgenic (male hormone) setting.

Designed to stimulate the body’s own natural production of hormones and regulate the menstrual cycle by gently correcting underlying deficiencies, acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can potentially:

A balanced diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are also recommended. By embracing these steps, the body will host the most optimal environment for the acupuncture to work that much better.

 

PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID)

The term pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID) includes all inflammatory processes occurring within the upper female genital tract: The uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, surrounding pelvic tissue, and the ovaries. These tissues become inflamed, swollen, irritated and can lead to scarring and infertility.

The most common causes for PID are from bacteria passed on from Gonnohrea and Chlamydia, both of which are sexually transmitted by an infected partner. Women who douche may have a higher risk of developing PID, as repetitive douching may alter the PH level of the internal flora of the vagina.

The most common symptoms of PID are: fever, chills, lower abdominal or pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, irregular menstrual bleeding or pain, nausea, vomiting, and pain upon urination. In some cases, the patient may be asymptomatic. A blood test and vaginal culture will confirm whether PID is indeed present. Western course of treatment would mostly include anti-biotics.

According to Chinese Medicine: PID is a condition of damp heat (infection), blood stasis, and stagnation of Qi in the liver channel and Dai Mai vessel. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs can increase the immune system’s ability to fight the infection as well as decrease inflammation in the reproductive tract. Those with PID may experience immense and unrelenting pain. And because acupuncture can remove these blockages and soothe the associated organs, this treatment alone or alongside Western medicine may very well bring a speedier recovery.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is defined as the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside the endometrium, causing lesions. The presence of endometrial cells, which make up the inner lining of the uterus, are found in areas outside of the uterus in the pelvic cavity.

Endometriosis symptoms range and are classified as mild, moderate or severe. They may include:

*Some women even bleed in places as distant as the nasopharynx during menstruation (i.e., nosebleeds).

Treatment with acupuncture, herbal remedies and moxibustion is highly effective for those who endure continuous pain and hormonal fluctuations due to this condition.

Candidiasis

Many conditions can lead to candidiasis, the term that describes overgrowth of yeast in the intestinal tract: steroid drugs (such as cortisone), birth control pills and the long-term use of antibiotics. Antibiotics, while effective in fighting infection, can deplete the immune system and over time may reduce the number of beneficial bacteria that normally help to keep the yeast under control.

Poor nutrition or a sluggish immune system can weaken the body’s ability to fight off yeast, which is why restricting sugar and eliminating refined carbohydrates and gluten grains in your diet help it restore its intestinal flora and normalize PH levels.

When yeast is in overabundance, symptoms may include:

According to Chinese Medicine, candidiasis is primarily viewed as a Spleen Deficiency pattern with accompanying dampness. Treatment protocol would suggest using points that would strengthen the spleen function and transform dampness.

Enhancing the immune system is crucial and effective with acupuncture, a key protocol when treating candidiasis. Along with dietary guidelines and appropriate anti-fungal herbal remedies, acupuncture can lead to a successful treatment for eradicating this condition in the short- and long-term.