Menstrual and cycle-related complaints
Menstruation and cycle symptoms can manifest themselves in different ways. Some women have mainly menstrual pain, while others suffer from mood swings, irregular blood loss, a long or short cycle or ovulation complaints. Sometimes, there is a clear condition, such as Endometriosis or PCOS, but complaints may also occur without finding a specific medical cause.
A menstrual cycle does not have to be exactly the same every month. However, if complaints return regularly, are severe or affect work, sleep, mood or daily activities, it may make sense to look further at possible causes.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are used for various menstrual and cycle symptoms. The treatment is tailored to your complaints, the course of your cycle and your personal situation. You can read more about this on the individual complaint pages.
Read more about your symptoms
Common menstrual and cycle problems
Complaints may occur before, during or after menstrual periods and may sometimes be present for a larger part of the cycle.
Common complaints are:
- menstrual pain;
- premenstrual complaints (PMS);
- mood changes around menstrual periods;
- an irregular menstrual cycle;
- a long or short cycle;
- severe blood loss;
- low blood loss;
- intermediate blood loss or spotting;
- blood clots during menstrual periods;
- absence of menstrual periods;
- ovulation pain.
Complaints such as headache, fatigue, breast tenderness, bloating, changes in bowel movement and sleep problems can also occur at certain times of the cycle.
On the individual complaint pages you can read more about the possible causes and treatment of specific menstrual and cycle complaints.
Western disorders
Menstruation and cycle symptoms can occur without an underlying condition being identified. However, sometimes the symptoms are part of a medical condition or are related to hormonal changes.
Examples are:
- Endometriosis;
- polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS);
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS);
- premenstrual dysfore disorder (PMDD);
- meat trees (myomas);
- adenomyosis;
- thyroid disorders;
- hormonal changes around the perimenopause.
A diagnosis can give important information about the possible cause of the symptoms. However, two women with the same diagnosis may experience very different complaints. Therefore, during a treatment it also looks at the course of the cycle, menstruation itself and any other physical and mental problems.
The individual pages on PMS, menstrual pain, endetriosis and PCOS are discussed in more detail.
Possible causes
Menstruation and cycle symptoms can have several causes. Hormonal changes play an important role, but symptoms may also be associated with disorders such as endomatiosis, PCOS, adenomyosis, fibroids or thyroid disease.
Also age, stopping or starting hormonal contraception, pregnancy and the period toward the transition may affect the cycle. In addition, stress, changes in body weight, intensive physical stress, insufficient nutrition and sleep can influence the menstrual pattern.
Which factors are relevant varies per complaint. Therefore, not only the menstrual period itself, but also the course of the entire cycle and any other health problems are considered.
What can acupuncture do?
Acupuncture treatment is tailored to the specific complaint, the moment it occurs within the cycle and your personal situation. Menstrual pain, for example, requires a different approach than an irregular cycle or premenstrual mood symptoms.
Depending on the complaint, treatment may include:
- reducing menstrual pain and cramps;
- supporting a regular menstrual cycle;
- reducing premenstrual physical complaints;
- reducing tension and mood problems around menstrual periods;
- supporting abnormal menstrual blood loss;
- handling other complaints related to the cycle.
Within Chinese medicine, it looks at the underlying TCM pattern and changes during the different phases of the cycle.
Which treatment principles are relevant varies greatly per complaint. On the individual pages about PMS, menstrual pain, Endometriosis and PCOS, for example, you can read more about how acupuncture can be applied.
What can Chinese herbal medicine do?
Chinese herbal medicine is used regularly in menstrual and cycle complaints, sometimes in combination with acupuncture. The herbs are tailored to the specific complaints, the course of the cycle and the underlying TCM pattern.
Depending on the pattern, herbal treatment may be directed at:
- supporting a regular cycle;
- reducing menstrual pain and cramps;
- supporting a healthy menstrual loss;
- reducing premenstrual complaints;
- supporting when fatigue or recovery problems are associated with the cycle;
- treatment of underlying patterns that maintain the Chinese medicine complaints.
Because herbs are taken daily, they can be used throughout the cycle. Sometimes a formula remains the same throughout the cycle, while in other situations treatment is adapted to different stages.
Which treatment principles are relevant to a specific complaint, please read more extensively on the individual complaint pages.
How does Chinese medicine view menstrual and cycle-related complaints?
Western medicine looks, among other things, at hormones, ovaries, uterus and possible underlying diseases. Within Chinese medicine, the course of the entire cycle and the combination of complaints that occurs therewith is also examined.
Important information is, for example, the length and regularity of the cycle, the amount and colour of menstrual blood, the presence of clots, pain and the moment complaints occur. Changes in mood, energy, sleep, digestion and other physical symptoms are also included.
Within Chinese medicine, Qi and Blood play an important role. Qi describes various functional activities of the body and, according to this vision, provides, among other things, movement and regulation. Blood has a nourishing function and naturally plays an important role in menstruation.
In addition, several TCM organ systems can be involved. These are not anatomical organs such as in Western medicine, but collections of body functions. The Liver is inter alia connected to the free flow of Qi and the regulation of Blood. The Spleen plays a role in the formation and retention of Blood, while the Kidneys are linked to development, reproduction and menstrual cycle.
When these functions become unbalanced, different combinations of symptoms may arise. For example, obstructed flow may be associated with pain and premenstrual stress, while insufficient Qi or Blood may rather be associated with fatigue, low blood loss or delayed recovery.
Such a recognizable combination of symptoms and symptoms is called a TCM pattern. This allows two women with the same Western diagnosis within Chinese medicine to be treated differently.
Below are only some common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns may occur at the same time. Not everyone with the same pattern has all the mentioned symptoms. What pattern is present is determined based on the overall picture of complaints and the course of the cycle.
On the individual complaint pages you can read more extensively which patterns occur with specific menstrual and cycle symptoms.
Further reading
Common TCM patterns
Liver-Qi-stagnation
The Liver is linked to the free flow of Qi within Chinese medicine. If this flow is hindered, symptoms can increase especially before menstrual periods. Emotional stress and stress can influence this pattern.
Common symptoms
- irritability or mood swings before menstruation;
- tense or sensitive breasts;
- bloating;
- abdominal pain or cramps;
- headache;
- symptoms that increase with stress.
Examples of Western disorders
PMS, PMDD, menstrual pain and functional cycle symptoms.
Blood stagnation
If the flow of Blood is obstructed, Chinese medicine indicates clear and local pain. This pattern is especially important when menstrual pain and changes in menstrual blood are at the forefront.
Common symptoms
- strong or stabbing menstrual pain;
- pain felt in a fixed place;
- dark menstrual periods;
- clots;
- pain that often decreases after clots have hatched.
Examples of Western disorders
Menstruation pain,endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids.
Qi- and Blood deficiency
If insufficient Qi and Blood are available, according to Chinese medicine the body may be less likely to support the cycle and menstrual period. This pattern can occur after prolonged stress, illness or a lot of blood loss.
Common symptoms
- low or mild menstrual blood;
- fatigue;
- dizziness;
- pale facial colour;
- palpitations;
- weakness during or after menstruation.
Examples of Western disorders
Few menstrual blood, irregular menstruation and fatigue problems around menstruation.
Kidney-Yin-deficiency
Within Chinese medicine, the kidneyys are linked to development, reproduction and the basis of the menstrual cycle. In the event of a shortage of Yin, the nourishing and cooling side of this function may be insufficient.
Common symptoms
- irregular or low menstrual periods;
- heat sensation or hot flushes;
- night sweats;
- dry skin or mucous membranes;
- restless sleep;
- low back pain.
Examples of Western disorders
Cycle changes around the perimenopause, some forms of irregular menstruation and symptoms involving hormonal changes.
Kidney-Yang-deficiency
In particular, when the heating and activating function of the kidney is weakened, Chinese medicine suggests coldness, fatigue and a delayed cycle may be at the forefront.
Common symptoms
- Curvature;
- cold hands and feet;
- fatigue;
- low back pain;
- a longer or irregular cycle;
- menstrual pain that improves by heat.
Examples of Western disorders
Some forms of irregular menstruation, menstrual pain and cycle problems involving late or irregular periods.
These patterns give a general picture of how menstrual and cycle problems can be distinguished within Chinese medicine. PMS can focus on different patterns than menstrual pain, Endometriosis or PCOS. This is therefore discussed more extensively in the individual complaint pages.
Outlook
The course of treatment depends on the specific complaint, the underlying cause, the severity, how long the complaints last and your personal situation. Relatively recent or mild cycle symptoms may have a different course than prolonged symptoms or conditions such as Endometriosis and PCOS.
As changes in menstrual and cycle symptoms are often assessed over several cycles, the treatment course will examine how complaints and cycle progression develop. The frequency of treatment may be adjusted accordingly.
On the individual complaint pages you can read more extensively what you can expect from a treatment course during a specific menstrual or cycle complaint.
Contact
Do you suffer from menstrual or cycle symptoms and do you want to know if acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine can mean anything to you?
During a first consultation, we will discuss your complaints, medical history, the course of your menstrual cycle and any other health problems. On this basis, a treatment plan will be drawn up that will suit your personal situation.
You can make an appointment directly online or contact us for more information.