Acupuncture for PMS: can it help alleviate your worst symptoms?

By: Dr. Alyssa Cochrane, Dr. Ac, BA

PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, can cause many symptoms in women that cause a disruption to daily life.

These include physical symptoms such as breast distension, digestive upset, migraines and hormonal acne. They also include changes in wellbeing and emotional state, such as increased irritability (such as having a “short fuse”), sensitivity, sadness, anger, or a loss of concentration.

Symptoms can occur up to 14 days prior to menstruation and can be exhausting to deal with month after month.

Often, we are convinced there are no solutions to cope with PMS symptoms – it’s just part of our daily life. This feeling of hopeless can cause additional stress and add to emotional strain.

The good news is Traditional Chinese Medicine including acupuncture can help!

Treat PMS with Acupuncture and TCM

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can assist with PMS symptom management and help to reduce symptom severity in future.

Acupuncture can help with inflammation and pain, hormonal headaches or migraines, and digestive symptoms such as bloating, cramping, and change in bowel habits.

Additionally, acupuncture can help to calm the mind, relax, and de-stress, which can benefit the emotional strain that often accompanies PMS and help to obtain more restful sleep.

Auricular treatments (treating the body by targeting treatment on the ear) can also be helpful for food cravings or irritability.  The use of ear seeds helps to lengthen the benefit of an acupuncture treatment.

Book your treatment with Dr. Cochrane, DTCM

Sources:

Habek, D., Habek, J. & Barbir, A. Using acupuncture to treat premenstrual syndrome. Arch Gynecol Obstet 267, 23–26 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-001-0270-7

Maciocia, Giovanni. Obstetrics and Gynecology in Chinese Medicine. 2nd ed., Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2011, pp. 357-78.

"Prementrual Syndrome (PMS)." Office on Women's Health, Mar. 2018, www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/premenstrual-syndrome.