Painful Periods are NOT Normal
Written By Khaoula Abouinane, RTCMP, R. Acu
Are you struggling with your menstrual cycle?
Are you taking days off from your work or school because of painful periods?
Are you changing you pads or tampon many times a day due to you heavy flow?
Have you been told that it’s ‘normal’ and part of your life as a female? Or recommended to start birth control pills to ‘regulate’ your cycles?
Well, it is not normal but it can be improved and supported from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners consider menstruation the mirror of female health, and an important indicator of overall health.
Why you need to care about your menstrual health
Your cycle is usually a direct reflection of your hormonal health, and when this system is dysfunctional, hormonal imbalance can cause many conditions such as :
Migraines
Chronic fatigue
Thyroid conditions
Insomnia
Mood swings
Digestive issues
Fertility
And more …
Treating your painful periods and balancing your hormones could be the key to resolving many other health issues.
What a Healthy Cycle Looks Like
The definition of normal periods from a TCM perspective is not simple, it includes specific observations regarding not only of regularity of your cycle but also the quality of your flow including volume, colour, odour, and texture:
Regular: every 24-35 days, average 28 days
NO spotting in the days before starting
3-7 days of bleeding in total
First days should have a smooth flow, light to moderate
No flooding, ie. needing to change pad or tampon every 2h
NO menstrual cramps - some low abdominal discomfort leading to menstruation is normal
NO pain leading up to or during the cycle including back pain, knee pain, headaches or migraines
NO clots
Deep, full red blood (brown, black, dark red, purplish or bright red are all concerning)
No stopping and starting of the flow
The blood flow should be odourless
No symptoms leading to the menstrual cycle (PMS): bloating, breast tenderness, mood swings, change in bowel movements
Any irregularities are noted and considered within the TCM diagnostic system; and is a good indicator of women’s overall health not just that of their menstrual cycle.
When to See your Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Menstrual issues that can be treated by Traditional Chinese Medicine using Acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine and nutritional coaching include:
Early menstruation
Late menstruation
Irregular cycles
PMS or PMDD
Heavy menstrual flow
Dysmenorrhea – painful periods
Amenorrhea – no menstruation
Endometriosis
PCOS
And other symptoms related to menstruation such as: migraines, headaches, digestive issues and mood swings!
You don’t have to wait to seek treatment until you are trying to conceive. You will spend 1 week a month for approximately 38 years of your life menstruating which, added up, equates to around 10 years — or about 3,500 days in total! So let’s make sure you don’t spend those 10 years in agony….
Book your FREE 15 min consultation today with our Registered Acupuncturists & Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and let’s chat about your menstrual health! Many treatments are covered by extended health benefits.