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Acupuncture for periods, endometriosis and PCOS
Many of the women who come to me have lived with painful, heavy or irregular periods for years, often after being told it is something they simply have to put up with.
Period problems can affect work, sleep, relationships and mood, and they deserve to be taken seriously. Whether you have a diagnosis or are still looking for answers, I’ll take the time to understand what you’re living with.
Endometriosis
I see a lot of women with endometriosis. Some have only recently been diagnosed, some are waiting for a diagnosis or for surgery, and others have lived with it for many years. It affects around 1 in 10 women, yet getting a diagnosis takes eight years on average.
Most come to see me for help with pain, whether around their period, during or after sex, or when going to the toilet. Many are also exhausted, bloated or sleeping badly, and fatigue in particular often goes unrecognised.
At your first appointment I’ll ask about your whole cycle, not just the worst days of it: when the pain starts, where you feel it, how heavy your bleeding is, and how your energy, sleep, digestion and mood change through the month. From this I’ll put together a treatment plan for you, and we’ll review it as we go. I’m happy to work around surgery, fertility treatment or any other care you’re having.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS affects about 1 in 10 women in the UK. It can cause irregular or absent periods, acne, excess hair growth and weight changes, and for many women it comes to light when they start trying for a baby. It can be a frustrating condition to live with, and it often affects how women feel about themselves.
Women with PCOS usually come to see me because their cycle is long or unpredictable, or because they’re trying to conceive. I’ll ask about your cycle over the past year or so, along with your energy, sleep, digestion and stress, and plan treatment from there. I’m happy to work alongside your GP, gynaecologist or fertility clinic.
Other period problems
I also see women with painful periods, heavy periods, irregular or absent cycles, premenstrual problems (including PMDD), and migraines linked to their cycle.
How I work
In Chinese medicine your cycle, energy, sleep, digestion and mood are all connected, and together they guide the treatment I plan for you. Treatment is usually a course of weekly sessions to begin with. I work alongside the care you receive from your GP or gynaecologist, and if anything you tell me suggests you should see a doctor, I’ll say so.
“I have suffered with heavy periods and premenstrual tension, including severe anxiety, for several years and turned to Sharminee for some help. She is not only extremely professional and knowledgeable, but also very easy to talk to, and allows me to fully relax and unwind during my hour of acupuncture.”