Are you struggling with excess bleeding during your period? Do you have times that you’re changing your tampon / pad / menstrual cup every hour or more for at least half a day? You may be losing too much blood each month, putting yourself at risk of iron deficiency anemia.
Did you know that acupuncture and herbal medicine can both help to reduce excess menstrual bleeding? Visiting a qualified Chinese medicine practitioner who focuses on women’s health can get you the tools you need to reduce your excess menstrual bleeding and restore your health.
How Acupuncture Works for Bleeding
Acupuncture and acupressure have long been used to address excess bleeding — especially menstrual bleeding. There is one major acupuncture point located just below the inner bottom corner of the toenail on the big toe that is known to reduce bleeding. During the menstrual period this point can be stimulated using an acupuncture needle, an acupressure tool such as a bobby pin or other small blunt object, or using moxibustion (an herbal warming technique). Using these tools repeatedly during heavy periods can help to activate the body’s ability to restrain bleeding. This is a very effective tool for self-care during heavy periods.
How Herbal Medicine Works for Bleeding
In Chinese herbal medicine there are a handful of herbs that help to stop bleeding. Many of these herbs are hemostatic, meaning that they shorten the time it takes for blood to coagulate and clot. Your herbal medicine practitioner can provide you with an herbal formula that contains these herbs in addition to other herbs that help manage other menstrual issues you may be having.
- Some women find that they are tired and have lower abdominal and sometimes back achy cramps during their periods. In these cases, practitioners will add strengthening herbs to support overall energy and vitality leading up to and during the period.
- In other cases, women will find that they feel overall inflamed, warm, and have sharper or stabbing pains during their period. For these women, practitioners will add anti-inflammatory herbs to the stop-bleeding formula.
For excess bleeding, you will likely take herbs for several days up to a week or more around the time of your period. However if you have any of these additional symptoms or conditions, your practitioner may recommend the use of additional herbal medicine formulas throughout the month:
- Difficult PMS mood symptoms including excess irritability, moodiness, or depression;
- Difficult PMS symptoms such as extreme fatigue, food cravings, or breast tenderness;
- Either too short (typically about 24 days or fewer) or too long (typically about 35 days or longer) menstrual cycles;
- Erratic menstrual cycles (sometimes short, sometimes long);
- Difficult period symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, insomnia, or intense pain
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be true allies in managing menstrual conditions. These tools can be customized to support each woman’s particular symptoms and concerns.
If you’d like to learn more, contact us at Inspire Family Acupuncture to find out how acupuncture and herbal medicine can help you thrive all month long!
