Chinese Medicine for the Treatment of Women’s Issues
By Wendi Slade

Traditional Chinese Medicine, which uses acupuncture and herbal remedies, is very successful in treating gynecological issues that women face monthly. Weather you suffer from hormone imbalances, PMS, painful menstruation, endometriosis or infertility…acupuncture can help.  Eastern medicine seeks to restore health by treating the entire body - not just addressing the symptoms - bringing the body back to a state of health and vitality.  Studies have proven that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is effective in treating women’s health issues. 

The theory of acupuncture dates back thousands of years and is based on the balance of energy flow throughout the body. There is a negative impact if a blockage or imbalance occurs.  Like a river, if debris accumulates, water is prevented or limited to flow down stream.  In order for optimal health and wellness the energy must flow freely.  To promote this flow of energy, point combinations are stimulated with acupuncture needles according to problems you are experiencing.

The smallest imbalance in the endocrine system can alter the way the body produces hormones. Many menstrual irregularities arise from a disturbance in hormone levels…whether you have missed your period for months, are bleeding heavily every two weeks, experience excessive mood swings or have extreme pain related to your cycle. 

The 1997 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus of Acupuncture reported that acupuncture “may activate the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, resulting in a broad spectrum of systemic effects”.  Alteration in the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones and changes in the regulation of blood flow, both centrally and peripherally have been documented”. Health is restored by stimulating your own natural production of hormones.      

Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) is a disorder that affects 40 million women each year. Of the 150 symptoms related to PMS, many commonly experienced are: mood swings, depression, headaches, acne, bloating and intense cravings.  Shifts in the hormone levels are associated with increased estrogen in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and the cause of PMS.  If there is a vitamin deficiency, emotional/physical stress and a poor diet, symptoms are thought to be worse.

Acupuncture point combinations assist in the release of hormones thereby regulating the menstrual cycle. PMS symptoms will decline as hormonal balance is achieved with regular cycles.  Acupuncture had a 77.8% success rate in the treatment of PMS in a study cited by the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.  The placebo control group was shown as only 5.9% effective.

Painful menstruation, also known as dysmenorrhea, is a main cause of women being unable to participate in work and social activities. Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by stress and anxiety, strong uterine contractions and lack of exercise is attributed to most painful menstrual cycles.  Endometriosis, which is secondary dysmenorrhea, is now thought to be accountable for some of the cases of painful menstruation.  A study cited in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine confirmed that ear acupuncture is more effective then herbal supplementation in treating dysmenorrhea due to endometriosis. (The study consisted of specific acupuncture ear points needled every other day for the five days preceding the menstrual cycle. And those in the herbal supplementation group were treated with liquid herbal supplements for seven days beginning five days prior to their menstrual cycle.)  Participants who received ear acupuncture rated their outcome of treatment to be “cured” or “markedly effective” 81% of the time.  Compared to those who were treated with herbal supplementation alone who judged it 27% effective.  By regulating the endocrine system and increasing blood circulation pain is reduced or alleviated. 

Acupuncture is an alternative way to treat infertility problems and is also complimentary to western fertility treatments.  Infertility is thought to be caused by an imbalance of energy and blood flow affecting the acupuncture meridian systems.  TCM is beneficial because it can provide an effective, natural and safe approach to treatments for infertility. 

The following conditions treated with acupuncture and herbs have increased the potential fertility in women: stress reduction, hormone regulation to produce more follicles, increased blood flow to the uterus, better quality eggs by improved function of the ovaries and regulating the menstrual cycle.  A study published in Fertility & Sterility concluded that acupuncture in conjunction with assisted reproductive technology significantly improved the chance of becoming pregnant by 50%.   TCM can balance, strengthen and benefit your overall health and support your chances of becoming pregnant.

Acupuncture is recognized as an effective treatment for menstrual irregularities, pain, PMS, fertility, emotional problems, reproductive problems by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO).  TCM has the ability to treat many disorders women experience monthly without the side effects of conventional medicine.

Reference

• Habek D, Habek JC, Barbir A, et al Using acupuncture to treat premenstrual syndrome.  Archives of Obstetrics and Gynecology November 2002, 267(1):23-6.

• Xiang D, Situ Y, Liang X, et al. Ear acupuncture therapy for 37 cases of dysmenorrhea due to endometriosis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine December 2002;22(4):282-285.

• Paulus W. et. al. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertility & Sterility, volume 77, April 2002, 721-724.