Women’s Health Disorders
Acupuncture can treat a myriad of women’s health issues safely and effectively. I offer vast experience and knowledge with regards to symptoms and alternative treatments. I also include herbal and supplement options to those who may benefit by them. Here is a sample of the conditions that I have had great success with:
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence can happen to a woman for a variety of reasons. Infection, stress and/or weakened pelvic muscles due to pregnancy, aging, weight gain and childbirth are a few reasons why our bladders may leak or we have sudden urges to urinate. A sneeze, cough, running or laughing can cause our bladders to leak urine. We may not have the ability to completely empty our bladders and this can cause dribbling. As a result of this, we can become dependent on pads and special underwear to catch these little accidents.
Acupuncture is a very effective treatment for this condition. It works by strengthening the kidney essence and toning the bladder and helps to restore integrity to the muscles. With acupuncture urinary incontinence can be well controlled. This is an excellent option before considering surgery.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where there is abnormal growth of the cells that form the uterine lining also form outside of the uterus itself. These cells can build up and because they have no way to escape, can adhere to our bladder, bowel, ovaries etc. It can cause considerably painful and heavy periods, lower back pain and nausea, vomiting and constipation during the menstrual periods. Endometriosis can in many cases, alter our fertility as well.
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for endometriosis. Each case is different and success varies. We can discuss your needs during the initial consultation and set up a treatment protocol.
Uterine Fibroids
An estimated 20% to 30% of women will form uterine fibroid tumors in her lifetime. Also known as leiomyomas or myomas, these benign growths caused by abnormal muscle cells, form on both the interior and exterior surfaces of the uterus. They can be very tiny as in microscopic or be several pounds in size. Some women will have only one or two small fibroids whereas others could have many in varying sizes. It is thought that there may be an estrogen component to these tumors as we find that often they disappear after menopause when estrogen levels fall dramatically. Many women never realize that they have fibroid tumors because they do not experience any symptoms. An ultrasound investigation for another condition may be the only way that a woman may find out that she has fibroids. Symptoms when they do occur can be heavy and frequent periods, pain during or after intercourse or bleeding between periods. Depending on their location, they can cause bladder issues as well. Interestingly, they can run in families indicating a genetic component and are more common in African/American women.
Fibroids are another example of what acupuncture can treat. If fibroids are causing unwanted symptoms, acupuncture is worth trying for this condition before undergoing surgical or other more invasive procedures.
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are often a fluid filled swelling in the ovary. The most common type of cyst is the follicular cyst that forms in the egg producing follicle during ovulation. These are termed ‘simple cysts’ and often go away on their own within one or two menstrual cycles. Complex cysts such as dermoid cysts or chocolate cysts do not go away on their own and surgery may be required. Ovarian cysts should be investigated by your physician to determine their type. 6% of ovarian cysts are cancerous and early detection is paramount. A pelvic ultrasound can help your doctor determine the type and location of your cyst. Most simple cysts (the only ones I am able to treat) do not cause symptoms. Occasionally however, they do not subside on their own or, cause symptoms that are unpleasant such as scant or non existent periods, pain during coughing or sneezing, pelvic pressure or heavy and painful periods. If they twist or rupture, they can cause considerable pain, fever and nausea and surgery may be required.
Acupuncture can help those women with simple ovarian cysts that do not abate on their own within a reasonable amount of time or that cause discomfort. The treatment schedule may vary according to each woman’s situation.
Mood Swings
Mood swings can happen with our menstrual cycles as well as with perimenopause. Vacillating hormones cause estrogen and progesterone levels to fluctuate and our emotions can be greatly affected by this. Low levels of progesterone itself can cause emotional upheaval that is beyond our control. One minute we’re happy, the next we want to scream. It is a virtual roller coaster that feels like it has no ending. Acupuncture is an amazing treatment for hormonal mood swings. By balancing hormones and inducing relaxation, acupuncture is a wonderful treatment for all women who experience mood swings. Once we are able to get hormones stable and emotions calmed, the patient often feel great for an extended period of time. Treatments may vary from woman to woman, but usually, only 4 to 6 treatments would be required.
Menstrual Issues
Cramping, heavy periods, headaches, back ache, constipation, nausea… these are all symptoms in a woman’s menstrual cycle that can and do wreak havoc on our lives. Many days of work can be lost to those women who experience heavy and painful periods. Acupuncture is an amazing treatment for menstrual issues. It can and does ease the heaviness of the flow, abate the cramping and lessen or completely eliminate the other bothersome symptoms that you may be experiencing. I have successfully treated many women of all ages who have lived with menstrual issues. Generally, seeing a woman twice a week during the last 2 weeks of her cycle and once during the heaviest days for a couple of months is all that is needed.