Acupuncture for Painful Periods and PMS

For some women, PMS means a few days of mild irritability. For others, the week before their period brings
debilitating cramps, migraines, breast tenderness, and mood swings intense enough to affect work and
relationships, a pattern doctors classify as dysmenorrhea when cramping is severe, or in more extreme cases,
premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Regardless of where your experience falls on that spectrum, “just take some
ibuprofen and push through it” is not the only option available.
Why Periods Can Be So Painful
Menstrual cramps happen when the uterus contracts to shed its lining, and these contractions are driven partly
by hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins. Higher prostaglandin levels are generally associated with
more intense cramping. Traditional Chinese Medicine frequently attributes painful, clotty, or irregular periods to
a pattern called Liver Qi stagnation, essentially a disruption in smooth energy flow that also tends to show up as
irritability and breast tenderness, which lines up closely with how many women actually describe their PMS
symptoms.
How Acupuncture May Help
Acupuncture points that support healthy blood flow to the pelvis and help move stagnation are commonly used
both in the days leading up to a period and during menstruation itself, depending on symptoms. Many patients
notice a gradual reduction in cramp intensity, more predictable cycles, and less pronounced mood symptoms
after treating consistently across several cycles, since hormonal patterns typically take a few months to visibly
shift.
Self-Care Additions Worth Trying

• Applying a warm compress or heating pad to the lower abdomen during cramping
  Gentle movement like walking or stretching, even when cramps make exercise feel unappealing
• Reducing caffeine, sugar, and alcohol in the days leading up to your period
• Prioritizing sleep and stress management, since both influence hormone balance
• Tracking your cycle to identify your own specific symptom patterns
  When Period Pain Signals Something More
  Severe pain that does not respond to over-the-counter medication, pain that worsens over time, or heavy
  bleeding that soaks through protection hourly can be signs of conditions like endometriosis or fibroids, which
  warrant evaluation by a gynecologist. Acupuncture can still be a valuable complementary support alongside
  treatment for these underlying conditions, but they should be properly diagnosed first.
  More Comfortable Cycles Start Here
  If your period has been dictating your schedule every single month, Dr. Siraj can help build a treatment plan
  around your specific cycle and symptoms. Visit the Prospect Heights or Bay Ridge location in Brooklyn. Most
  major insurance plans are accepted. Call (702) 907-7171 or book online to start feeling more like yourself all
  month long.