Dysmenorrhoea, or period pain, affects over 80% of women worldwide, with up to 20% experiencing pain so severe it disrupts daily life and overall well-being.
The truth is, menstrual pain doesn’t have to be something you just put up with. With the right natural remedies and lifestyle changes, you can ease or even get rid of the discomfort.
Discover how Chinese Medicine can help reduce period pain by restoring balance and syncing with your body’s natural rhythms. At AcuMedic Specialist Women’s Health Clinic, we’ve been helping women with a wide range of physical, emotional, and mental health concerns for over 30 years, including dysmenorrhoea and reproductive system disorders.
Visit us today or get free personalised health advice and start feeling better!
How can we help?
Endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and recommended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), either on its own or alongside other methods for menstrual pain, Chinese Medicine has a long track record of helping with reproductive system issues, including dysmenorrhoea (painful periods).
Research shows that Chinese Medicine can help ease pain by stimulating the nervous system to release endorphins and other natural pain-relieving neurochemicals. It also supports the endocrine system in regulating hormones, keeping estrogen and progesterone levels in balance. This can significantly reduce the intensity and duration of menstrual cramps, offering lasting relief without the negative side effects often linked to painkillers (NSAIDs).
How quickly will you see results?
We typically recommend a course of 6 sessions to get the most benefit, with noticeable improvements starting within 4 weeks.
While results can vary depending on individual conditions, most patients see significant pain relief and symptom reduction within the first month. After that, things continue to improve with each cycle.
Our acupuncture sessions are tailored to each stage of your cycle, and we regularly adjust your treatment plan based on how you’re responding.
Even if you don’t have severe cramps, Chinese Medicine can help keep your reproductive system healthy and your cycle regular by improving blood and Qi circulation. In this case, we usually suggest weekly acupuncture sessions.
About Dysmenorrhoea
Dysmenorrhoea, commonly known as period cramps, is the dull, throbbing pain many women feel before and during their periods. The cramps are caused by the uterus contracting to shed its lining and expel the unfertilised egg. Prostaglandins, which stimulate these contractions, are released into the bloodstream, intensifying the pain.
The pain can vary from mild to severe, dull to sharp, and often comes and goes. It’s typically felt in the pelvic area but can also radiate to the lower back, thighs, and legs. The pain usually begins a few days before your period, peaks within 24 hours of bleeding, and fades as menstruation tapers off.
Period pain can vary each month, often influenced by emotional stress, which can disrupt the menstrual cycle and increase the chances of cramps.
Dysmenorrhoea is categorised into two types:
Primary Dysmenorrhoea: This type has no underlying cause and often affects teenagers or younger women. It typically decreases with age. The pain is usually in the lower abdomen, back, or thighs, lasting between 12 and 72 hours. Other symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Bloating
- Loose stools
Secondary Dysmenorrhoea: This type tends to be more painful and usually develops later in life, often due to reproductive health issues such as:
- Fibroids — Non-cancerous growths in the womb that can make period contractions more intense and painful.
- Endometriosis — Tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the womb, causing pain when this tissue sheds during menstruation.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) — A bacterial infection affecting the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes, leading to inflammation and painful periods.
- Sexually transmitted infections — Infections that can cause inflammation in the reproductive organs, leading to pain during menstruation.
- Adenomyosis — Uterine tissue growing into the muscular wall of the womb, resulting in painful periods.
- Intrauterine Device (IUD) — A contraceptive device that can cause pain, especially in the first few months after insertion, due to irritation in the uterus.
Symptoms may include:
- Longer, irregular periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Vaginal discharge
- Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
Since the symptoms of both types can overlap, it’s important to consult your primary care doctor for an accurate diagnosis and to rule out any underlying conditions.
Western Medicine View
In Western medicine, the reasons why some women experience more intense period pain than others aren’t fully understood.
One common theory is that an imbalance or increased activity of the hormone prostaglandin might be at play. Prostaglandins are produced in the uterus and trigger contractions. The more prostaglandins released, the stronger the contractions, and consequently, the more intense the pain.
- For those with secondary dysmenorrhea—pain linked to other health conditions—the treatment approach typically focuses on addressing the underlying issue. Doing so often helps reduce both the intensity and duration of the cramps.
- On the other hand, with primary dysmenorrhea, where no obvious cause can be found, treatment centres around relieving and managing symptoms. This is usually done with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol, or with prescription medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or hormone-based treatments like oral contraceptives, implants, and injections.
NSAIDs work by reducing inflammation, while hormone treatments—particularly the pill—help by lowering the amount of prostaglandins produced and thinning the uterine lining. A thinner lining can result in a lighter period, as the muscles don’t have to contract as forcefully to shed it.
If you’re looking for both contraceptive benefits and relief from period pain, your GP may prescribe a combination therapy.
While medications can provide quick and effective relief, the effects are temporary, and they may come with some side effects, including nausea, stomach upset, indigestion, peptic ulcers, and diarrhoea.
For many, an integrative care approach can be a great option. Combining conventional medicine with non-traditional therapies has been shown to boost the benefits of treatment while reducing potential side effects.
Chinese Medicine View
In Chinese Medicine, period pain is often rooted in deeper imbalances within the body’s intricate systems.
These imbalances can disrupt the delicate harmony of female physiology and the reproductive system, leading to conditions like dysmenorrhoea—whether it’s linked to another health issue or stands alone without a clear cause.
A key factor behind painful periods is what practitioners call “Blood and Qi stagnation.” This stagnation is often connected to imbalances in the Liver, Spleen, and Stomach—organs that should work in harmony to transform food and nutrients into the vital Qi and Blood, which are stored in the Liver.
When these systems aren’t functioning properly, it can result in painful, uncomfortable menstrual cycles.
In Chinese Medicine, the focus is on restoring balance by addressing the underlying imbalances within the body’s systems. Depending on the specific needs, the approach either strengthens or soothes the affected areas, improving circulation and easing discomfort. This is typically achieved through a personalised combination of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine—working together to address the root cause, bring lasting relief, and promote a more balanced, comfortable cycle over time.
Lifestyle Advice
If your cramps are severe enough to disrupt daily life or if you’re experiencing menstrual cramps for the first time, it’s a good idea to check in with your primary care doctor. In the meantime, there are a few ways you can manage the pain at home, which can also work alongside any treatment plans you may already be following. Here are some tips to try.
- Heat: A heat pad or hot water bottle applied to your lower abdomen can provide soothing relief. Just make sure the water is hot, but not boiling, as extreme heat can cause burns and worsen the pain.
- Take a warm bath or shower: Relaxing in warm water can help ease muscle tension, promoting relaxation and reducing period pain.
- Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity encourages blood and Qi flow, helping to reduce stagnation. It also boosts endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. Even light activities like swimming, cycling, or a gentle walk can ease cramps.
- Self-Massage: A gentle, circular massage on your lower abdomen can help to relax muscles and reduce pain.
- Relaxation techniques: Yoga, pilates, or deep breathing can help your body relax and provide relief from menstrual cramps.
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): A TENS machine, available at most pharmacies, uses electrical impulses to block pain signals. Simply apply the sticky pads to your abdomen, and the machine will send pulses that help relieve discomfort.
- Dietary adjustments: Incorporate foods rich in Omega-3s, which have been shown to ease menstrual cramps, and magnesium, which helps with muscle relaxation and blood flow. Always check with your doctor before adding supplements to your routine.
These tips might not completely eliminate your period pain, but they should help ease it.
For more personalised advice, feel free to get in touch with our CMIR-registered physicians, who blend Western medical expertise with Chinese medicine to help you find what works best.
+ *CLINICAL TRIALS
Helms JM. Acupuncture for the management of primary dysmenorrhea. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1987, 69:51-56.
Shi XL et al. [Acupuncture at SP 6 in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea.] Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 1994, 14(5):241-242 [in Chinese].
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