Women’s health is an important topic that affects half the world’s population. A woman’s body and her natural cycles are something to be celebrated but often, you may feel like your body is not yours and is out of control. Many women may consider gynaecological conditions such as PMS with mood swings, bloating, breast tenderness or having painful periods as a normal part of being a woman. In Chinese Medicine, if your body is in balance and everything is flowing smoothly, your period will come and go without concern. Traditionally, it was known as “heavenly water” and was an event to be celebrated!
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been used for centuries to promote health and wellbeing, and may offer benefits for women’s health issues. We’ll explore the potential benefits of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for women’s health, and provide some links to relevant studies.
Acupuncture for Women’s Health
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. It is believed to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes and restore balance to the body’s energy, or “Qi.” Acupuncture has been used for a wide range of health conditions, including women’s health issues such as:
Menstrual Pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found that acupuncture was effective in reducing menstrual pain intensity and duration compared to no treatment or sham acupuncture. The study also suggested that acupuncture may be as effective as conventional medication for menstrual pain relief. [1]
Infertility: Several studies have suggested that acupuncture may improve fertility outcomes for women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). A review of RCTs found that acupuncture improved clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates among women undergoing IVF. [2]
Menopausal Symptoms: A meta-analysis of RCTs found that acupuncture was effective in reducing hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. The study concluded that acupuncture may be a viable alternative therapy for women experiencing menopausal symptoms who cannot or do not want to use hormone replacement therapy. [3]
Pregnancy and Labor: Acupuncture has also been used to support healthy pregnancies and reduce labor pain. A systematic review of RCTs found that acupuncture was effective in reducing labor pain intensity and duration. The study also suggested that acupuncture may reduce the need for pharmacological pain relief during labor. [4]
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Women’s Health
Chinese herbal medicine is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the use of natural herbs to treat a wide range of health conditions. Herbs are often combined into formulas to create a synergistic effect. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years to promote women’s health including:
Menstrual Irregularities: Menstrual irregularities can be caused by a range of factors, including hormonal imbalances, stress, and poor nutrition. Chinese herbal medicine has been used to address menstrual irregularities by regulating hormones, improving blood flow, and reducing inflammation.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs found that Chinese herbal medicine was effective in improving menstrual regularity in women with menstrual disorders. The study also suggested that Chinese herbal medicine may be a safe and effective alternative to conventional treatments for menstrual irregularities. [5]
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a common hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. Symptoms of PCOS can include irregular periods, infertility, and excess facial and body hair. Chinese herbal medicine has been used to treat PCOS by regulating hormones, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing inflammation.
A review of RCTs found that Chinese herbal medicine was effective in improving menstrual regularity and reducing androgen levels in women with PCOS. The study also suggested that Chinese herbal medicine may be a safe and effective alternative to conventional treatments for PCOS. [6]
Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of it, causing pain and infertility. Chinese herbal medicine has been used to address endometriosis by reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, and regulating hormones.
A review of RCTs found that Chinese herbal medicine was effective in reducing pain and improving quality of life in women with endometriosis. The study also suggested that Chinese herbal medicine may be a safe and effective alternative to conventional treatments for endometriosis. [7]
Conclusion
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been used for centuries to promote health and wellbeing, and may offer benefits for women’s health issues. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these therapies, the studies cited above suggest that they may be effective for a range of women’s health conditions.
If you would like to use acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to help with women’s health conditions such as irregular periods, endometriosis, PCOS, menopausal symptoms and menstrual pain, it is important that you see a registered Chinese Medicine practitioner. The practitioners at Health in Flow Chinese Medicine, Melbourne, are all registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia. They are also able to provide you with lifestyle information such as diet advice around your period, self-care for pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS) and recipes for post-partum mothers.
References:
[1] Smith CA, Armour M, Zhu X, Li X, Lu ZY, Song J. Acupuncture for dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4:CD007854. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007854.pub3. [2] Qian Y, Xia XR, Ochin H, Huang C, Gao C, Gao L. Therapeutic effect of acupuncture on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2017;295(3):543-558. [3] Chiu HY, Pan CH, Shyu YK, et al. Effects of acupuncture on menopause-related symptoms and quality of life in women in natural menopause: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Menopause. 2015;22(2):234-244. [4] Smith CA, Crowther CA, Collins CT, Coyle ME. Acupuncture to induce labor: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obstet Gynecol. 2011;118(4):904-914. [5] Zhang J, Liu X, Liang R, Gao Y, Chen Y, Liu C, Zhang Y, Liu B. Chinese herbal medicine for menstrual irregularity in perimenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(38):e17087. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000017087. [6] Liu Z, Liu Y, Xu L, Zhang J, Fang Z, Wang J. Traditional Chinese medicine for polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(9):e14684. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000014684. [7] Xie M, Zhang S, Yu Y, Yang X, Huangfu X, Chen X, Zhang W, Li S. Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;3(3):CD006568. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006568.pub4.Photo by Sora Shimazaki: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-suffering-from-a-stomach-pain-5938366/
