Acupuncture has a long history of treating gynecological diseases. It has not only accumulated a wealth of experience through long-term clinical practices, but it also has its own uniqueness from a methodological point of view.

 

A list of some of the women’s health problems that can be treated with Acupuncture:

• pain and cramps before or during menstruation

• irregular menstruation

• no periods

• PMS

• pain and bleeding related to fibroids

• endometriosis

• cervical dysplasia

• emotional swings

• breast tenderness

• abdominal distention and bloating

• infertility

• back pain during pregnancy

• morning sickness

• postpartum depression

• menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and insomnia

 

Menopause

Hot flashes are the single most common symptom reported by women in menopause. This condition is characterized by sudden feelings of intense heat combined with excessive perspiration and a rapid heartbeat. Hot flashes may last anywhere from 2 to 30 minutes, often occurring multiple times per day.

Researchers at Taipei Medical University in Taiwan monitored 869 participants who are were going through menopause while using 12 different treatment methods. One of the 12 treatment methods was acupuncture, which surprisingly proved to be the most effective at relieving the discomfort associated with menopause. 

During this study, researchers discovered acupuncture was an effective form of treatment for hot flashes in women going through menopause. Participants who were treated with acupuncture experienced fewer and less severe hot flashes than participants who were not treated with acupuncture.

Most treatment options for hot flashes are only effective for a short period of time (if they are effective at all), at which point the problem comes back and begins to take control of the woman’s life. Acupuncture, however, is proven to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes for at least 3 months after treatment. That means women who are going through menopause or who’ve already gone through menopause only need to see a licensed acupuncturist once every 3 months to reap the hot flash-fighting benefits of this alternative treatment option.

The study also indicates that acupuncture may help treat insomnia and sleep-related problems in women going through menopause. The results were more inconsistent, however, with some participants experiencing greater results than others. Further research is needed before any conclusive statements can be made regarding acupuncture and menopause-related sleep problems.

 

PMS(premenstrual syndrome)

Acupuncture may help reduce symptoms of PMS by:

• increasing relaxation and reducing tension. Acupuncture can alter the brain’s mood chemistry, reducing serotonin levels, increasing endorphins, and neuropeptide Y levels, which can help to combat negative affective states.

• stimulating nerves located in muscles and other tissues, which leads to release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors, and changes the processing of pain in the brain and spinal cord.

• reducing inflammation, by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors