By Andrea Gurciullo, LAc, MTOM
Women often come for Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs for symptoms associated with perimenopause, menopause, PCOS, amenorrhea and painful periods. In addition, it can address hormonal imbalances that lead to migraines, low libido, anxiety, insomnia and fatigue (just to name a few). While each person’s case is different, treatment is often a combination of acupuncture and herbs for about three months. More serious issues may require a combination of both Western and Eastern Medicine.
For people who can’t or don’t want hormone replacement therapy for the symptoms associated with menopause, acupuncture and herbs can be a viable option for relief. A small 2019 study found that 5 weeks of only Acupuncture reduced hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep disruptions in women dealing with menopause symptoms. They also concluded that acupuncture was a safe, cost effective and simple procedure with very few side effects reported.
There are several symptoms of menopause that acupuncture may help with, including: – Hot flashes
– Night sweats
– Pain
– Mood swings
– Anxiety
– Insomnia
– Fatigue
Painful periods can also be addressed naturally with acupuncture and herbal therapy. Period pain, or dysmenorrhea, is a condition affecting up to 95 percent of menstruating women, according to a report published in the Human Reproduction Update. Dysmenorrhea is classified into two types: primary, wherein no known health conditions can account for the painful cramps, and secondary, during which the pain occurs as a result of a diagnosed disorder, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. Multiple studies have shown that women undergoing acupuncture more frequently experienced more significant improvements in period pain intensity and related symptoms, as well as in overall quality of life.
Acupuncture can also address low libido. Acupuncture works to restore optimal health rather than suppressing or masking a particular symptom. Acupuncture increases your sex drive by improving circulation. Acupuncture promotes blood flow along the pathways that surround the reproductive and other organs that affect sex drive. Acupuncture can also address hormonal issues and stress which can directly affect your libido.
Acupuncture is well known in the treatment of infertility. In a study of 160 women, published by The Reproductive Journal of Fertility and Sterility, a group of German researchers found that adding acupuncture to the traditional IVF treatment protocols significantly increased pregnancy success rates. Acupuncture has also been shown to stimulate egg production in women who can’t or don’t want to use fertility medications.
Acupuncture works by restoring the flow of Qi, your essence, or your body energy. So with regard to infertility, treatments have a calming, restorative effect that increases a sense of well being and ultimately helps the body to accept the creation of life. By placing needles at key energy meridians, acupuncturists can move energy in a direction that encourages fertility.
Andrea Gurciullo, LAc, MTOM is a licensed and board certified Acupuncturist and Clinical herbalist. She has been in practice for over two decades. She is a Westchester native and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego Ca. A global expert in the treatment of pain she also specializes in the treatment of infertility. Andrea has always been passionate about helping women to conceive as well as maintain a healthy pregnancy. Andrea has studied under leading physicians that specialize in the treatment of infertility and gynecological disorders. Her other specialties include weight loss, anxiety and depression.
Andrea treats patients out of our ProClinix Pleasantville and Armonk locations. For more information about this article, please contact Andrea at 914.202.0700 or at agurciullo@proclinix.com