Acupuncture Treatment for Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)

Painful periods. Primary dysmenorrhea usually start with the first period of a womans life and is thought to be the result of excessive prostaglandin production. It is often associated with nausea, vomiting, and faintness. Secondary dysmenorrhea usually effects older patients and the pain precedes menstruation. It is thought to be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, fibroids, and the presence of an IUD (intrauterine device).



Qi and Blood stagnation

P/T – regulate Qi, promote circulation of blood, remove Stasis

Acupuncture – sedate, moxa, foot Jueyin, LR 3, 8, SP 6, Ren 6

- hypochondriac/chest/breast distension/pain- SJ 5, 6, BL 18

- severe low abdominal pain- BL 32

- nausea, vomiting, PC 6, ST 36

Damp/Cold stagnation

P/T – disperse Cold, eliminate Damp, warm Jing

Acupuncture – Ren, foot Taiyin, Ren 3 & ST 28 (water problems, needle and moxa), SP 6, 8

- Kidney deficiency- BL 23, Ren 4

- bodyaches- BL 11, 23

Liver Qi stagnation with Low Jiao Damp/Heat

P/T – clear Heat and Damp, regulate Liver Qi

Acupuncture – foot Taiyin, Jueyin, LR 3 & SP 6, Ren 3 & BL 32

- Low abdominal burning- LR 8

- Fire- LR 2 (more large clots)

Qi and Blood deficiency

Acupuncture – Ren, foot Taiyin, Ren 6, BL 20, SP 6, ST 36, Zi Gong

- deficient Cold- Ren 4, ST 30, moxa





Alternative Treatment Methods

auricular- internal reproductive organs, sympathetic, KI, LR, SP

7 star- medium stimulation, lower abdominal area

injection- Dang Gui 0.5ml, Hong Hua 0.1ml