Acupuncture for Irregular Menstruation and Menstrual Disorders

A normal menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, plus or minus seven days. Menstrual bleeding is considered irregular if it occurs more frequently than every 21 days or lasts longer than 8 days. Missed, early, or late periods are also considered signs of an irregular cycle. Menstrual disorders include symptoms such as painful cramps, heavy bleeding, or absence of menstruation. These can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or uterine fibroids. Acupuncture treatment is a natural and proven remedy for regulating menstrual cycles and healing menstrual disorders.
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The basics

There are three main mechanisms by which acupuncture assists in regulating menstruation. These are:
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• Acupuncture regulates the hormones that control your period
  • Several hormones ensure regular periods. Acupuncture has been found to regulate the feedback loop between your brain and your ovaries, known as the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian (HPO) axis.
• Acupuncture improves ovarian and uterine blood flow
  • Acupuncture has been found to calm the nervous system and cause blood vessels to dilate, increasing the flow of blood to undernourished areas.  
• Acupuncture promotes ovulation
  • Balancing hormones and increasing blood flow to the ovaries and uterus naturally promotes healthy ovulation.

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Acupuncture is proven effective

In 2009, a combined research team from medical schools in London and China published a review of scientific literature regarding the use of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for treatment of gynecological disorders. They reviewed studies on the treatment of endometriosis, infertility, dysmenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, premenstrual syndrome, menopausal syndrome, uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic inflammation, polycyctic ovarian syndrome, cervicitis, and vaginitis.  Below is a summary of their findings:
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• Acupuncture has good curative effects for treating endometriosis (5 studies reviewed)
  • Acupuncture was found to down-regulate the abnormal increase of MMP-2 levels to inhibit the invasion of ectopic tissue to extracellular matrix, thus reducing the ectopic tissues
• Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are effective for treating infertility (16 studies reviewed)
  • Acupuncture was found to regulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to induce ovulation and improve the uteran blood flow and menstrual changes of the endometrium. 
  • It has also been found to have a positive impact on patients with infertility resulting from PCOS, anxiety, stress, and immunological disorders
• Acupuncture has a reliable therapeutic effect on primary dysmennorhea (12 studies reviewed)
  • It is theorized that the biological mechanism behind acupuncture's effectiveness is in regulating prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) levels in menstrual fluid
• Chinese herbal formulas are effective in reducing abnormal uterine bleeding after abortion (4 studies reviewed)
• Acupuncture is effective for treating premenstrual syndrome (more than 20 studies reviewed)
  • Acupuncture was found to effectively reduce premenstrual physical and psychological symptoms including edema, headache, depression, anxiety, and anger 
• Acupuncture is effective for treating menopausal syndrome (7 studies reviewed)
  • Acupuncture was found to effectively decrease hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood changes.
• Acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas are effective for treating uterine fibroids (6 studies reviewed)
  • Acupuncture's effectiveness is related to its ability to regulate the pituitary gland, thyroid gland system, and the central nervous system
• Acupuncture is effective at increasing the success of IVF (17 studies reviewed)
  • ​Pregnancy occurred at a significantly higher rate in acupuncture groups when compared with control groups
• Acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas are effective in decreasing chronic pelvic inflammation (3 studies reviewed)
• Acupuncture is effective for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (6 studies reviewed)
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine has been shown in many clinical studies to restore menstruation, relieve symptoms, and induce ovulation in PCOS patients
• Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are an effective treatment for cervicitis and vaginitis (6 studies reviewed)

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All of the studies selected to be reviewed were high-quality, controlled empirical studies. Research is ongoing. To read the original paper, or for more information on acupuncture for menstrual disorders, see our Resources & Related Links section below.
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Learn more

To learn more about acupuncture, take a look at About Acupuncture or How Acupuncture Works. To learn more about the differences between Eastern and Western medicine, you can read About Eastern Medicine. To learn more about the Wisdom Traditions Acupuncture clinic, take a look at About Us or Our Philosophy. If you have any additional questions, you can browse our FAQ or Contact Us. We're happy to answer any questions you may have. You can also Schedule an Appointment online. 
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Resources & Related Links

• ​Treating Gynecological Disorders with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review​
• ​Gynaecology and acupuncture: The evidence for effectiveness​
• HealthCMI: Acupuncture Painful Menstruation Relief Finding
• ​Three ways acupuncture can help you have regular periods
• ​The Menstrual Cycle According To Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Full Bloom Acupuncture: 10 Tips for a Healthy Menstrual Cycle
• Medical News Today: Acupuncture is effective for relieving period pain