Women have historically faced all sorts of challenges when attempting to get treatment for conditions and illnesses, though thankfully, that is largely not the case anymore. However, a lot of processes women face tend to be natural and come with symptoms that contemporary medicine can struggle to deal with. Acupuncture, with its long and storied history of treating a wide variety of ailments, has been positively associated as treatment for many aspects of women’s health. Here are just some ways that acupuncture can help women with their overall health and wellness:
Fertility Support
Fertility is a subject that can cause a great deal of stress in people who want to start a family or are actively trying to, as it can be largely out of one’s hands. While contemporary medicine has made incredible strides to combat this, even those methods are not 100% effective. Acupuncture is an incredible support to these contemporary treatments and is effective on its own as well. This is achieved by increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, regulating hormone levels, and reducing stress. While effective on its own, when used in conjunction with treatments like IVF, overall fertility can be boosted to increase the chances of pregnancy. If you are planning on or trying to get pregnant, consider acupuncture as a source of fertility boost!
Dysmenorrhea (Painful menstruation)
While menstruation is a biological fact of life for women, especially painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) is also unfortunately very common. However, it is absolutely not necessary to suffer from something largely out of your control. Acupuncture has been proven to stimulate the production of endorphins, which are your body’s natural painkillers. Combining this with improved blood flow to the uterus, pain due to menstruation can be controlled and reduced. Consider acupuncture as a treatment for painful menstruation.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is an unfortunate condition where women suffer from a variety of physical and emotional symptoms due to hormone fluctuations prior to a period. This can include (but is not limited to) bloating, cramping, headaches, fatigue, breast tenderness, irritability, anxiety, mood swings, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Fortunately, acupuncture can help reduce or eliminate many of these symptoms by improving blood flow and regulating hormone levels. If you struggle with PMS, consider acupuncture to help treat your symptoms!
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, first off, congratulations! Giving birth and being a mother is one of the most rewarding experiences women can do! Before you bring your bundle of joy into the world however, it is important to understand that the path is not going to be easy. But that’s okay because our team at Essence is here to support you throughout your pregnancy! Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of ailments that befall pregnant women, such as the dreaded morning sickness, back pain, fatigue, and others. While pregnancy can be fraught with challenges that test a woman’s strength, it does not need to be wholly uncomfortable. If you are pregnant and would like to better manage your pregnancy, acupuncture, and more importantly, Essence is here to help!
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition characterized by the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) growing outside of the uterus, often in the pelvic area. This condition comes with a bevy of symptoms, such as dysmenorrhea (painful periods), pain during/after intercourse, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, heavy/irregular bleeding, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and more. Acupuncture is an effective treatment for endometriosis in the sense that it can help manage symptoms by reducing inflammation in the pelvic region and improving blood flow to the uterus. If you suffer from endometriosis and the symptoms are overwhelming, consider acupuncture to help manage it.
Menopause
Menopause is an inevitable stage of reproductive health for women and it signifies the end of a woman’s fertility as eggs are no longer produced and periods cease. While period symptoms go away, menopause can also be accompanied with certain symptoms, like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and bone loss. Acupuncture can be an effective intervention to manage and treat many of these symptoms by improving blood flow, regulating hormone levels, and improving sleep quality. While menopause is inevitable, the symptoms associated with it should not be, so consider acupuncture if you are menopausal or will be in the near future!
These six issues are just the surface of the conditions and situations where acupuncture is a beneficial, effective treatment option. If you are concerned about one or more of these six, are unsure if your situation would also apply, or if you are unsure if acupuncture would suit you in general, give us a call at 210-236-5862 for any questions and to schedule a consultation! Here at Essence Acupuncture Wellness of San Antonio, we strongly recommend considering acupuncture as a method of treating or preventing the conditions that tend to afflict women!
References:
Cochrane, S., Smith, C. A., Possamai-Inesedy, A., & Bensoussan, A. (2014, March 17). Acupuncture and women’s health: An overview of the role of acupuncture and its clinical management in women’s Reproductive Health. International journal of women’s health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3962314/
National University of Health Sciences. (2021, January 22). Acupuncture for Women’s Health. Acupuncture For Women. https://www.nuhs.edu/patients/health-information/articles/acupuncture-for-women/
