Women's Health

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of health conditions, including many common women's health issues.

One of the most common women's health conditions that acupuncture is used to treat is menstrual pain and irregularities. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce menstrual pain and improve menstrual regularity in several high-quality studies. The mechanism behind this may be due to acupuncture's ability to modulate the nervous system and regulate the release of hormones, which can help to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce pain.

Another common women's health condition that can be effectively treated with acupuncture is infertility. Acupuncture has been shown to improve fertility outcomes in several studies, including those involving women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques. The exact mechanism behind this is not yet fully understood, but it is believed to be related to acupuncture's ability to improve blood flow to the reproductive organs, balance hormones, and reduce stress.

Acupuncture can also be effective in treating symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, and mood disturbances. Studies have shown that acupuncture can reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes, and improve sleep and mood in menopausal women. The mechanism behind this may be due to acupuncture's ability to regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which plays a key role in regulating stress and hormone balance.

Breast tenderness and mastalgia can also be addressed with acupuncture. A 2018 meta-analysis found that acupuncture was more effective in reducing breast pain than conventional medication. Another study published in the journal Medical Acupuncture found that acupuncture can reduce the intensity and frequency of breast tenderness and also improve the overall quality of life for women experiencing these symptoms.

Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment option for many common women's health conditions. By working to regulate the nervous system, hormones, and blood flow, acupuncture can help to alleviate symptoms and improve overall health and well-being.

References:

Smith CA, Armour M, Zhu X, Li X, Lu ZY, Song J. Acupuncture for dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4(4):CD007854. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007854.pub3
Jo J, Lee YJ, Lee H. Effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2020;53:102512. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102512
Wu XK, Stener-Victorin E, Kuang HY, et al. Effect of acupuncture and clomiphene in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2017;317(24):2502-2514. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.7217
Kim KH, Kang KW, Kim DI, et al. Effects of acupuncture on hot flashes in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women—a multicenter randomized clinical trial. Menopause. 2010;17(2):269-280. doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e3181b0fdd1
Huang MI, Nir Y, Chen B, Schnyer R, Manber R. A randomized controlled pilot study of acupuncture for postmenopausal hot flashes: Effect on