Many people believe that period pain is part and parcel of being a woman.
Well, it is not and it doesn’t have to be.
Sure a small amount of discomfort can be considered normal, but it should not interfere with your daily life, nor should it
have you reliant on pain relief or contraceptives.
Termed dysmenorrhea, painful periods, and cramping are normally described as lower abdominal pain that lasts 3-4
days occurring before or during a mensural bleed. Chemicals called prostaglandins are released causing the uterus to shred its natural lining resulting in uterine muscle contractions. These contractions restrict blood vessels that supply the uterus reducing blood flow and causing pain.
All women can experience period pain, however the younger you are the more likely you are to experience pain. Many
young women experience pain from menarche, often lasting for years.
Each individual may experience symptoms differently, the most common are lower back pain, cramps, nausea, vomiting,
leg pain, stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, tiredness, and headache. Severity also varies from moderate to severe and
debilitating.
The ideal menstrual cycle should be 28 days, with a bleed for 3-5 days and mild discomfort.
Bleeding should not be overly heavy, red in colour and only a small amount of clotting
should occur.
Acupuncture for Period Pain
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), blood must be abundant and moving to have a normal pain-free
period. Excessive pain is considered stagnation. Stagnation can occur due to environmental elements like cold and
damp, or be produced internally due to stress and lack of sleep. This stagnation occurs in the lower abdomen and
becomes irritated when the uterus begins to shed its lining. Stagnation can also what cause back pain, headache, and
other symptoms mentioned earlier.
Certain acupuncture points can be prescribed to regulate blood flow through the abdomen and relax the nervous system
to help ease the pain of muscular contractions. Acupuncture can also help the body overcome pain by boosting
endorphins.