It’s no secret that women’s health concerns are often downplayed in the doctor’s office, chalked up as “psychosomatic” or “normal” pain. On average, women wait 18 minutes longer to receive pain medicine in the ER for the same conditions as men. A 2018 survey of 2,468 women suffering from chronic pain found that 83% felt they’d faced gender discrimination from their primary care providers. Gender bias in health care is pervasive, even if largely unintentional. 

When Western medicine fails, many women turn to acupuncture and other forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for a more balanced, personalized approach to health care. As a form of holistic medicine, TCM works to address the roots of an illness rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. By taking into account your past ailments, nutrition, mental health, and other factors, TCM harnesses the body’s powerful natural healing abilities.

Acupuncture is an incredible resource for women. For centuries, it has been used to treat and regulate many conditions faced by females: hormonal imbalances, menstrual disorders, infertility, endometriosis, menopause, and more. As a safe, painless, and fast-acting form of treatment, acupuncture continues to be a valuable tool for millions of women around the world.

As we enter this year’s #WomensHistoryMonth, let’s take a look at 7 ways that acupuncture can be used to heal and support women’s lives.

7 Ways Acupuncture Is Used To Improve Women’s Health

1. Acupuncture for Thyroid Disorders

One in every eight women will develop a thyroid condition at some point in their lifetime. Depending on if you have too much (hyperthyroidism) or too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), symptoms can include weight gain and weight loss, feeling restless or tired, constipation, dry skin, depression, anxiety, and more. Unfortunately, the primary treatment for thyroid disorders offered by doctors is medicine that can result in a variety of adverse symptoms. 

Acupuncture is a powerful tool for women suffering from thyroid disorders. A year-long study of 34 people with hypothyroidism found that those undergoing acupuncture treatment had drastically improved symptoms. Through routine treatments, acupuncture can improve thyroid as well as symptoms of associated conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Read our complete blog about alternative treatments for hypothyroidism here. 

2. Acupuncture for Menstrual Imbalances

Whether you suffer from headaches, cramping, and mood imbalances associated with menstruation and PMS or experience irregular periods, acupuncture can help. Acupuncture doesn’t only work to reduce discomfort, but to regulate future cycles and improve overall quality of life. Read this great article from Nylon Magazine about one women’s experience with acupuncture for menstrual health.

3. Acupuncture for Stress and Mental Health Conditions

Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. Whether due to hormonal changes or environmental factors or a combination of both, women are simply more likely to encounter mental health conditions than men. If you are suffering from stress, anxiety, or a related condition, acupuncture has been proven to help. By balancing your body’s energy, your mood and ability to emotionally-regulate is improved. 

4. Acupuncture for Perimenopause and Menopause

Adverse symptoms of menopause are common, but acupuncture can be very effective at reducing and eliminating them. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Denmark found that “five weeks of acupuncture in women with menopausal symptoms reduced hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances and emotional problems.” Acupuncture is a much safer and affordable option than hormone therapies and medications that are often offered to women in menopause. 

5. Acupuncture for Endometriosis

Studies have proven that acupuncture is a viable treatment option for endometriosis. By increasing blood flow, balancing hormones, and reducing inflammation, acupuncture is able to reduce pain and other symptoms associated with this chronic condition and improve your quality of life. Read this testimony of one woman’s great experience with acupuncture for endometriosis here. 

6. Acupuncture for Infertility

Acupuncture is proven to address infertility in both men and women. By improving conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), luteal phase defect, idiopathic infertility, hyperprolactinemia, and thyroid disorders, acupuncture regulates hormone imbalances and improves the possibility of conception.

7. Acupuncture During Pregnancy 

Many women use acupuncture as a tool to deal with the changes, discomforts, and stresses of pregnancy. In fact, 19.5% of nurse midwives in South Carolina use acupuncture with their clients. Acupuncture can alleviate nausea, fatigue, swelling, constipation, and other symptoms associated with pregnancy. It can even be used to improve and quicken the birth process. 

If you are seeking acupuncture for a women’s health issue in the Louisville, Kentucky-area, the experienced team at River City Wellness is here for you. Offering authentic, compassionate service is our greatest priority. We treat a broad range of women’s health issues through various modalities including: acupuncture, herbal therapy, moxabustion, cupping, and more. You can schedule an appointment online or give us a call at 502-822-0626 for info.