Acupuncture for Period pain, pelvic pain & endometriosis
Holistic acupuncture and Chinese medicine support in Wollongong for period pain, pelvic pain, endometriosis and hormonal health.
Acupuncture for period pain, pelvic pain & endometriosis
Pelvic pain, period pain and endometriosis affect a significant number of women, with period pain alone impacting up to 90% of menstruating people at some point in their lives, and conditions like endometriosis affecting around 1 in 9 women in Australia. Despite how common these experiences are, they are often under-recognised, dismissed or poorly managed, leaving many to cope with ongoing discomfort in silence.At our clinic, acupuncture offers a gentle, evidence-informed approach to help regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce pain and inflammation, and support your body’s natural healing processes. Treatment is always tailored to you as an individual, taking into account your unique symptoms, cycle patterns and underlying contributing factors, so you feel supported at every stage of your cycle and beyond.Understanding Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This tissue can respond to hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, which may contribute to inflammation, irritation, scarring, adhesions, and pain.
It can affect everyone differently. Some people experience severe pain, while others may have minimal symptoms despite extensive endometriosis. Symptoms can fluctuate throughout the cycle and may impact many aspects of daily life.Common Symptoms
Painful periodsPain with ovulationPelvic painPain during sexPain with bowel motionsBloating or digestive symptomsLower back painFertility challengesFatigue & low energy
What causes Endometriosis?
The exact cause of endometriosis is still not fully understood, and research is ongoing. The main theory is called retrograde menstruation, where menstrual blood flows backwards through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity rather than leaving the body completely during menstruation. However, retrograde menstruation is thought to occur in many women without causing endometriosis, which raises the question of why some people develop the condition while others do not.Research suggests endometriosis is likely influenced by a combination of factors including:immune system dysfunctiongenetic predispositionchronic inflammationhormonal influences, particularly oestrogenepigenetic factors, which refers to how genes may be switched on or off in response to environmental and lifestyle influencesanother potential factor is the presence of a bacterial toxins called Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the pelvis. This may come from the vaginal microbiome via retrograde menstruation, or from the gut microbiome through intestinal permeability.
Chinese Medicine View
Painful periods, pelvic pain and endometriosis can have a significant impact on daily life, affecting energy, mood, sleep, work, and overall wellbeing. While some mild discomfort during menstruation is normal, moderate to severe pain is not something you simply need to “put up with.”In Chinese medicine, pain is often understood as a disruption to the smooth flow of Qi and Blood through the body. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine aim to support circulation, restore balance, and address the underlying patterns contributing to pain.An analogy I often use is to imagine a flowing river, which mirrors the network of acupuncture channels throughout the body. When a river flows freely, everything moves smoothly. But if the river freezes from cold, becomes blocked by debris, dries up from heat, or doesn’t have enough water flowing through it, stagnation occurs.Chinese medicine views the body in a similar way. Different factors such as cold, stress, inflammation, Blood deficiency, or poor circulation can disrupt the smooth flow within the body and contribute to pain and imbalance.Because everyone’s presentation is different, treatment is always tailored to the individual rather than just the diagnosis alone.How acupuncture works
Endorphin release
Acupuncture stimulates the release of the body’s own pain relieving hormones called endorphins.
Nervous System Regulation
Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system to bring you back into your ‘rest and digest’ state (parasympathetic)
Improves circulation
Acupuncture supports healthy blood flow to the pelvic region to improve circulation and relieve pain.
Reducing Inflammation
Acupuncture has anti-inflammatory effects which can be useful in relieving pain
The ideal treatment plan
For those based in Wollongong and surrounds, to get the best results I recommend a minimum of 4–6 acupuncture sessions, ideally booked weekly to begin with. This allows the body to build momentum in regulating the menstrual cycle, calming pain pathways, and supporting hormonal balance. If weekly sessions aren’t feasible, treatments can also be spaced fortnightly depending on your time and budget, consistency is still key. Most clients notice the most significant improvements over the course of 3 menstrual cycles, however some clients require longer treatment duration.From there, treatment can be reduced to a maintenance phase, typically once a month, ideally timed in the week leading up to your period to help support a smoother, more comfortable cycle.If you’re not based in Wollongong, and are using telehealth appointments herbal medicine is still very effective. Herbs are taken daily, alongside any tailored supplements to your needs, with follow up appointments being monthly.