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PMS and Period Pain

ACUPUNCTURE AND PMS

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a variety of responses to an ordinary event in women’s lives: menstruation. It occurs once a month accompanied with specific symptoms that can appear seven to ten days before menstruation.

It is mainly due to unbalanced hormonal fluctuations, but there are other factors such:

~ Significant amount of stress

~ Poor nutritional habits

~ Birth control side effects

~ Difficulty maintaining a stable weight

~ Not enough exercise

~ After pregnancy (the more children, the more severe symptoms)

~ Depression family history

Western medicine approach recommends lifestyle changes and medications that manipulate the levels of progesterone and estrogen that affect mood and emotions. Although this can bring immediate relief, it does not address the underlying cause of PMS and can cause unwanted side effects.

The National Institute of Health reports that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of menstrual cramps, and other symptoms associated with PMS. Acupuncture can address PMS symptoms naturally, without medication, by restoring the balance and harmony, both physically and emotionally. A practitioner may also recommend lifestyle changes such as eating a nourishing, organic, whole foods diet, getting regular aerobic exercise, adequate sleep, supplementing diet with vitamins and herbs, …

Common PMS symptoms and signs:

  • Acne
  • Allergies
  • Anxiety
  • Appetite changes
  • Backache
  • Bloating
  • Breast tenderness
  • Constipation and/or diarrhea
  • Cramps
  • Depression
  • Edema
  • Headache / Migraine
  • Heart Palpitations
  • Hives
  • Impaired memory
  • Irritability and anger
  • Lack of libido
  • Lower abdominal distension
  • Mood swings
  • Nausea
  • Night sweats
  • Rhinitis
  • Salt & Carbohydrate cravings
  • Skin disorders
  • Vaginitis
  • Vomiting
  • Water retention / Weight gain

 

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