Women’s health problems can often be complex and influenced by hormonal, physical and emotional factors. While conventional medicine plays a big part in managing many of these conditions, there is growing interest surrounding ways in which complementary treatments such as medical acupuncture can help.
Coming from a background in General Practice myself and now working as a medical acupuncturist and lifestyle medicine physician, I have experienced first-hand the benefits of both modalities.
Medical acupuncture is the use of acupuncture by a healthcare professional who integrates traditional needling techniques with modern scientific understandings.
Women’s Health issues can crop up at any time in our lives, from menarche (the start of your first period) to menopause (one year post the time at which your periods end). In between these times, women can often face issues with fertility and pregnancy as well.
Within this article I aim to briefly explain the way in which acupuncture can help assist and support women through the various obstacles faced in women’s health.
Menstruation:
Medical Acupuncture has been shown to help reduce period pain, manage mood swings and headaches, help with PMS symptoms and regulates the female menstrual cycle.
Approx 10-15% of women in the UK are also thought to have PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, previously known as PCOS) which can, in some cases, cause significant physical and emotional stress on a women’s body. Women having acupuncture report an improvement in menstrual regularity, stress levels and overall wellbeing.
Fertility:
Fertility, whether natural or assisted, can be physically and emotionally demanding. Some studies suggest that acupuncture improves and increases pregnancy outcomes and reduces stress and anxiety along the way. In my own experience with treating many couples going through this journey, acupuncture has certainly helped!
Pregnancy:
Pregnancy does bring a large strain on the female body and can lead to back pain, pelvic pain, nausea, headaches and sleep issues. Acupuncture is increasingly being used within maternity care to manage these symptoms in a safe and holistic way without resorting to medication.
Menopause:
As if going through the challenges above weren’t enough, in comes the menopause!
Women can start developing tricky symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, anxiety, sleep disturbances and musculoskeletal pains from the age of around 40 when oestrogen and progesterone levels start to fluctuate and decline.
Whilst acupuncture cannot replace HRT, for those that need it, it can certainly provide an additional or alternative option for women seeking symptom relief or in those women who cannot take HRT.
In essence, acupuncture can provide a safe and holistic approach in supporting women through the various stages of their lives.
As research continues, acupuncture is becoming increasingly recognised as a safe and patient-centred option in women’s healthcare.
Dr Ruzeen Hettiarachchi is located in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. For more information, visit www.seedwellness.co.uk/ruzeenhettiarachchi
