Acupuncture For Menstrual Cramps

By Y.C. Chan, OMD, Dipl Ac

Acupuncture Clinic of Maryland

More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles

Acupuncture For Menstrual Cramps

Irregular menstrual cycles may affect a woman's health and quality of life. There are minor to severe symptoms of menstrual disorder, such as dysmenorrhea (painful period), menorrhagia (extremely heavy flow), amenorrhea (absence of period), or oligomenorrhea (longer period). Menstrual cramps can be very painful, and can even disable the woman temporarily as the pain gets worse.

Most American women's lives have drastically changed over those of their relatives from decades ago, such as birth control methods, waiting longer to have children, diet changes, complicated lifestyles and activities. Also we have longer life expectancies than before, so it is not surprise that many women may have some degree of menstrual disorder symptoms.

Menstrual cramps often appear suddenly, during or before the period. General practitioners and gynecologists will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for minor to severe symptoms. However, many people will take over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol, Midol, and other painkillers.

Acupuncture is effective and safe for treating menstrual cramps. The practitioners target individual physical and mental concerns, in order to determine the most optimal treatment.

A study was published in the February 2008 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the conclusion stated “Of 649 women201 were randomized. After three months, the average pain intensitywas lower in the acupuncture group compared to the control group. The acupuncture group had a better quality of life.”

Additionally, Healthland.time.com cited studies that proved that acupuncture did indeed decrease menstrual cramps. A total of 27 studies with 3,000 participants were compiled. In the end, researchers came to the conclusion that acupuncture had actually reduced menstrual pain. Researchers even found that those with severe menstrual cramps were helped more from the acupuncture than traditional painkillers. Additionally, acupuncture patients were showing an increase of energy, reduction of stress, and almost no side effects during the observation period.