Acupuncture supports women’s health
During different phases in a women’s life, her hormone levels and body naturally change. Acupuncture has a long history of treating gynaecological disfunction and endocrine & hormonal imbalances.
I work with women to support and manage symptoms and conditions related hormone changes and imbalance. This includes teenagers going through puberty, women with menstrual disorders and irregularities, and women experiencing gynaecological and endocrine dysfunction.
Acupuncture helps to balance hormones
Hormones play a key role in maintaining balanced health and help coordinate complex functions in the body. Key stages in a woman’s life and monthly menstruation are also governed by hormonal changes. Hormones are in fact the messaging system between our glands and organs and they are secreted directly into the blood by the glands that produce them. They play an important role in regulating many processes which include menstruation and reproduction, metabolism, sleep cycles, the immune system, emotion health and our energy levels.
Acupuncture research demonstrates treatment helps to regulate healthy hormone function. This is the reason Acupuncture is so successful at supporting a wide range of menstrual, hormonal and gynaecological imbalances.
Puberty & Menarche – PMS, hormonal imbalance, irregular menstruation, menstrual pain & cramping, stress, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, acne, eating disorders.
Menstrual Imbalance – Lack of periods, irregular periods, leucorrhoea, mid-cycle bleeding, severe pain & cramping, clotting and flooding, hot sweats, disturbed sleep, PMS, bloating, constipation, breast tenderness, stress.
Peri-menopausal & Menopausal symptoms – Poor sleep, hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, depression, anxiety, palpitations, fatigue, poor concentration, digestive changes, aches & pains, headaches, vaginal dryness, urinary urgency, loss of libido.
Gynaecological Dysfunction – PCOS, Endometriosis, Uterine fibroids and polyps, abnormal uterine bleeding, Vulvodynia, painful and uncomfortable intercourse and Candida.
What changes can I expect from Acupuncture treatment?
It is usual to experience improvements in your menstrual cycle. This varies but includes regulating the menstrual cycles, regulating and balancing hormone levels, reduction in pain and cramping , reduction in clotting, ameliorating hot flushes and night sweats, balancing of emotions and improved sleep, memory and clarity of thinking.
Acupuncture also strengthens the Mind-Body connection by regulating mood, boosting energy levels and promoting a greater sense of wellbeing.
Gynaecological and Endocrine dysfunction
One of the ways Acupuncture helps restore and regulate Gynaecological and Endocrine function is by modulating the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian axis (HPO axis). The interrelationship between these glands and the hormones they produce play a key role in menstruation, fertility and the menopause. There are many clinical studies which show how Acupuncture alters and positively effects the release of sex hormones and optimises organ function.
In fact, research can now confirm what Acupuncturists have known for a long time: Acupuncture affects and helps regulate other glands in the endocrine system and the hormones they secrete (as well as the HPO-axis). The Thyroid gland which controls metabolism, the Adrenals which are involved in fight or flight, metabolism & sexual function, the Pancreas which is involved in production of insulin and glucagon and also the Pineal gland which produces melatonin and helps regulate sleep. Conditions and symptoms caused by endocrine imbalance in these glands have all been shown to be improved with Acupuncture.
Importance of lifestyle and diet
The impact of Lifestyle choices and diet on hormone levels is well documented and metabolic health, immune function and blood sugar levels are all closely linked. Therefore many of the conditions listed above can be made worse and exacerbated by certain lifestyle choices, stress, a lack of sleep and a poor quality diet.
In order to support and bolster the positive effects of Acupuncture treatment, lifestyle and diet all play an important supporting role. The great thing is even making small changes can make a big difference to overall health. It’s not always easy, and there are lots of circumstances in life that can get in the way. I work with my patients so they can find realistic ways optimise their immune health, metabolic function and hormone balance.