Women’s Health

A woman’s menstrual cycle will affect her health from adolescence through her late adult years. The key to women’s health is to balance the hormones and regulate the menstrual cycle.

When there is hormonal imbalance, it can present with symptoms and health issues related to PMS, menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and menopause. Because it is common, many women think it is normal to have symptoms related to these conditions.

But according to Chinese Medicine, these conditions are not normal and are not present when hormones are regulated. In Chinese Medicine, a normal menstrual period starts slowly, gets heavier, tapers off and ends. There may be slight moodiness observed, however, it should be pain-free. A woman with balanced hormones should be able to get pregnant and maintain pregnancy with few symptoms or issues. And transition to menopause in a hormonally balanced woman should be relatively seamless.

At A Touch of Ginger, individual treatment plans are developed for each woman based on her stage of life and her specific issues.

Below are women’s health issues that can be treated with acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine.

Menstruation and Premenstruation

  • Acne
  • Back ache/cramping
  • Bloating
  • Breast tenderness/swelling
  • Constipation/diarrhea
  • Cramping
  • Headaches
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Irregular periods
  • Mood swings

Fertility

In Chinese Medicine, the key to fertility is a balanced menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is complex and controlled by many different glands that secrete hormones. The menstrual cycle has four phases, which include menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase. Through acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, the entire menstrual cycle can be regulated.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used on its own to assist in pregnancy or in conjunction with Western medicine fertility treatments (IVF, IUI, Fertility drug therapy, embryo transfer).

This process of healing is not only beneficial for fertility purposes but also for overall women’s health.

Learn more about how ATOG can support women’s fertility.

Pregnancy

  • Back pain
  • Bed rest
  • Bleeding
  • Constipation/diarrhea
  • Cramping
  • Digestive problems
  • Headaches
  • Nausea/appetite/cravings
  • Premature contractions
  • Lactation
    • Excessive lactation
    • Insufficient lactation
    • Mastitis
  • Breech babies
  • Induction of labor
  • Post-partum care
    •  Bleeding
    • Fatigue
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Post-partum depression
    • Retention of lochia
    • Tears and incisions
  • Support for a VBAC delivery 

Menopause

  • Perimenopause and Menopause
    • Break-through bleeding
    • Fatigue
    • Hot flashes
    • Insomnia
    • Irregular periods
    • Irritability/mood swings
    • Reduced sex drive
    • Vaginal dryness
    • Weight gain

Other Women’s health issues

  • Cervical Polyps
  • Endometriosis
  • Ovarian Cysts
  • Yeast infections
    •  Burning
    • Discharge
    • Itching
    • Odor
  • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
    • Abdominal pressure
    • Burning urination
    • Cloudy urine
    • Dark urine
    • Frequent urination
    • Low back pain
    • Odorous urine
  • PCOS

*These are general categories of common health complaints.  Acupuncture can be used to help relieve symptoms of most conditions.  Acupuncture can be used in place of or in conjunction with Western medicinal treatments, depending on the condition.