Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) are a common and distressing condition. There are two types of period pain, primary and secondary. In most cases of primary dysmenorrhoea the cause is not certain although it is thought to be connected with high levels of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that cause the uterus to contract, reducing its blood supply and increasing the sensitivity of nerve endings. Secondary dysmenorrhoea is less common and is often a complication of other conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or fibroids.
Chinese medicine can be very effective in regulating the menstrual cycle and in particular in the treatment of painful periods. It can treat both primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea and is often an effective alternative to conventional treatment.
Chinese medicine treatment is tailored to you as an individual. Your medical history and characteristics of your menstrual cycle will be noted as well as other questions about your general health. This information will be used to assess the nature of the underlying imbalance, and an acupuncture and herbal prescription will be formulated. Treatments will often need 3-6 months of treatment although improvements will be seen quite quickly.