Menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea affects over 50% of women every month. Symptoms can be severe enough to impact work and daily life. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, menstrual pain results from stagnation of Qi and Blood, as well as Yin-Yang imbalance, particularly affecting the Liver and Kidneys.
Acupuncture relieves menstrual pain by stimulating key points such as Sanyinjiao (三陰交), the meeting point of three Yin meridians, Guanyuan (關元) to nourish the uterus, and Xuehai (血海) to improve blood circulation. Acupuncture stimulates endorphin release, the body's natural painkillers, and relaxes uterine muscle contractions.
Chinese herbs for menstrual pain are formulated based on individual causes. Blood stasis (血瘀) requires herbs to invigorate blood circulation. Cold accumulation (寒凝) requires warming and cold-dispelling herbs. Qi stagnation from stress requires Liver-regulating herbs. Treatment targets the root cause more effectively than general painkillers.
Patients should begin treatment one week before their period and continue for 3-6 menstrual cycles. Many patients notice improvement from the first cycle, with reduced pain, more regular periods, and improvement in related symptoms such as headaches and mood swings.
Beyond acupuncture and herbs, practitioners recommend self-care including avoiding cold food and drinks before and during menstruation, keeping the lower abdomen and feet warm, getting adequate rest, and managing stress. Moxibustion on the lower abdomen also helps warm the uterus and relieve pain effectively.