Skip to content
The Benefits of Acupuncture on Cycle Regulation
Acupuncture is based in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an over 2000 year body of traditional and holistic medicine that comes from Ancient China. Acupuncture works by stimulating certain points in the body where our life force energy, or “Qi energy” according to TCM tradition, flows. 
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncturists will start by taking a look at your tongue, this is because they are trained to analyze the tongue as a map of your internal body. Then they will ask you a bit more about what your most bothersome symptoms are, and what you are hoping to balance. The acupuncturist will then place needles at specific points throughout your body based on spots in the body that may have blocked energy according to TCM.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
Reduces Stress
Research has found that over time acupuncture is an effective way to reduce stress. Chronic stress can lead to a variety of disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), other digestive issues, irregular menstruation, or worsened premenstrual symptoms. TCM links these symptoms to emotions like anger, depression, generalized anxiety, and mood swings.
As little as 30 minute of acupuncture treatment a week for 12 weeks can dramatically improve the body’s ability to cope with and react to stress. By balancing the body’s physical response to stress, other issues, like irregular cycles, will also self-correct over time.
Promotes Ovulation
In order to have a healthy menstrual cycle ovulation must occur. Oftentimes, those who are suffering from irregular menstruation or missed periods are not ovulating. And in order to ensure that you are fertile and able to conceive if you do decide to have children, making sure your body is ovulating regularly is important.
Studies have found that acupuncture encourages regular ovulation by decreasing Qi blockages that may be impacting ovulation and flow of proper resources to the ovaries. This is a great way to combat infertility or symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). So whether or not you are trying to conceive, acupuncture can be a powerful tool in rebalancing the cycle.
Improves Uterine Blood Flow
Acupuncture is all about stimulating the flow of energy and blood throughout the body. In order to ovulate, blood must flow to our uterine lining. A study found that this increase of blood flow to the uterus can lower symptoms of PCOS and decrease infertility because by promoting the uterine lining to build up, acupuncture helps to ensure implantation.
Remember: Acupuncture is not a quick fix.
Hormonal imbalances worsen over time, and excessive stress or unhealthy habits can increase the likelihood of hormonal imbalance. Because hormonal imbalances occur over a length of time, it is not realistic to expect them to rebalance overnight or with some magical pill or holistic health treatment. Acupuncture encourages the body to rebalance and helps move to redirect movement of energy in the body to help ensure a healthy body and mind.
So though it may take time and a few sessions, acupuncture is an effective way to rebalance your body naturally—but don’t be surprised if your acupuncturist also recommends lifestyle and diet changes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
