Acupuncture for Heavy Periods: What You Need to Know

Are heavy periods normal?

Heavy periods should not be considered a "normal' and "expected part of your menstrual health.

"Normal periods" are:

24-35 days in length (and it doesn't vary by more than 7 days)
3-7 days long
28-80ml in quantity
Clots should be no bigger than a pea
No, or mild pain
No PMS

Do you answer yes to any of these statements about your heavy periods?

Do you have to plan stops during your trips if you are on your period? So you know you can make changes if you start leaking?
Sleep on top of a towel at night because of bleeding through and onto your mattress?
Clots that are so large that you could hold them in your hand?
Do you have to wear multiple sanitary products to protect yourself and your clothes from leaks?
On certain days of the month, you might not leave the house for fear of leaking.

None of the above should be how you live your life. I am here to support you.

Are my heavy periods caused by fibroids?

If you are concerned that you have heavy periods, you can download my free PDF document showing you what you should be considering with your heavy periods and possible investigations you can ask of your GP.

Heavy periods might be the result of:

Low progesterone
Excess oestrogen
Iron deficiency
Perimenopause
Inflammation
Fibroids
Endometriosis
Adenomyosis
Hypothyroidism
Coagulopathy
Copper IUD
Ovarian cyst
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Uterine polyps
PCOS

How do you stop a heavy period?

Depending on what your investigations reveal below are some of the traditional treatments that will be offered by your GP.

The coil e.g. Mirena
Tranexamic acid
Tamoxifen
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Combined hormonal contraception
Cyclical oral progestogens
Endometrial ablation
Hysterectomy

Acupuncture for heavy periods

Acupuncture might be able to support you with your heavy periods. Acupuncture is considered to be a safe method of treatment with minimal side effects and whilst studies on acupuncture for menorrhagia (heavy bleeding) are limited; and often studied as part of other conditions such as dysmenorrhea (painful periods) there is evidence that it can be beneficial and supportive. This will be dependent on your diagnosis.

"acupuncture is amongst the safest interventions in modern medicine with the frequency of occurrence of serious adverse events at 11 per 4,441,103 procedures"

Acupuncture has been shown to have a positive effect on oestrogen (oestradiol), progesterone, prolactin, FH, and LH: A Literature Review of Women's Sex Hormone Changes by Acupuncture Treatment: Analysis of Human and Animal Studies (2018)
Acupuncture for endometriosis: how can it help you
PCOS? Acupuncture can help: A guide to supporting your diagnosis

Taking the P

Each week I curate an email newsletter, called "Taking the P". It is a space where we chat about menstrual health and acupuncture. You get freebies, discounts, insider goss and all the special news that no one else hears about.

You are the chosen one.

Drop your email over there 👇🏻, press submit (then probably check your junk folder).

My gift to you is 15% off an acupuncture* appointment with me.

You are going to love it here.

*please note the 15% offer is only redeemable on individual appointments and not for the packages I offer