PMS (Premenstrual syndrome)

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a collective term for physical, emotional and mental complaints that occur in the days or weeks before menstruation and usually disappear once menstruation begins. The severity of the complaints varies greatly. Some women experience only mild complaints, while others are clearly limited in their daily functioning every month.

PMS is common. It is estimated that around 20 to 40% of women of childbearing age are affected by PMS to a greater or lesser extent. In a smaller proportion, the complaints are so severe that they affect work, social activities or relationships.

In conventional medicine it is thought that PMS is related to the normal hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. Why some women are much more sensitive to these hormonal fluctuations than others is, however, not yet fully clear.

Common complaints

PMS can manifest in various ways. Common complaints include:

Not every woman has the same complaints. The symptoms can also differ from month to month.

Possible causes

The exact cause of PMS is not yet fully known. Several factors probably play a role at the same time.

Possible causes include:

Complaints that resemble PMS can also occur in other conditions, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, thyroid disorders, depression, anxiety disorders or during the perimenopause. It is therefore wise to always have new or strongly changing complaints assessed medically.

What can acupuncture do?

Acupuncture is regularly used as a complementary treatment for PMS. The treatment is aimed at supporting the body during the menstrual cycle and reducing recurring complaints. During the first consultation, your complaints, menstrual cycle, general health and lifestyle are looked at in detail. On that basis a personal treatment plan is drawn up.

During the course of treatment, how the complaints develop is regularly evaluated. When the situation changes, the treatment can be adjusted accordingly.

Depending on your complaints, acupuncture can be aimed at, among other things:

What can Chinese herbal medicine do?

Chinese herbal medicine is often combined with acupuncture, especially when the complaints recur every month. Herbs can support the body daily in between treatments. As with acupuncture, the herbal formula is tailored to your personal situation and can be adjusted over the course of treatment when your complaints change.

Chinese herbs and acupuncture often have the same goal, but complement each other well. For this reason both treatment forms are regularly combined.

Depending on your complaints, Chinese herbal medicine can be aimed at, among other things:

How does Chinese medicine view PMS?

In Western medicine the diagnosis is mainly central. Chinese medicine also looks at which bodily functions have become out of balance and how different complaints are connected. As a result, two women with the same diagnosis can still receive a different treatment.

According to Chinese medicine, the Liver, Spleen, Kidneys and in some cases also the Heart play an important role in PMS. These organ systems are not the same as the anatomical organs from Western medicine, but represent a collection of bodily functions.

The Liver is involved, among other things, in allowing the menstrual cycle to run smoothly and in the regulation of emotions. The Spleen plays an important role in the energy balance and the processing of fluid and food. The Kidneys are closely connected to the menstrual cycle and reproductive function, while the Heart is involved, among other things, in sleep and emotional balance. Each organ system is moreover connected to a meridian, along which, according to Chinese medicine, Qi and Blood circulate through the body.

When one or more of these organ systems function less well, a recognisable combination of complaints often arises. Such a combination of symptoms is called a pattern in Chinese medicine. Many women have characteristics of several patterns at the same time. During a consultation we therefore look at which patterns are contributing most to the complaints at that moment, so that the treatment can be tailored accordingly. The patterns that occur most often with PMS are:

Liver Qi stagnation

This is the most common pattern in PMS. According to Chinese medicine, prolonged stress or emotional tension can cause the Liver to be less able to carry out its regulating function. This mainly causes complaints in the days before menstruation.

Common characteristics are:

Liver Qi stagnation with Heat

When Liver Qi stagnates for a longer time, Heat can arise according to Chinese medicine. As a result, the emotional complaints in particular often become more intense.

Common characteristics are:

Liver Qi stagnation with Phlegm

In some women the stagnation goes together with an accumulation of Phlegm. As a result, in addition to emotional complaints, more physical complaints often arise as well.

Common characteristics are:

Blood deficiency

With a deficiency of Blood, the brain, muscles and the Liver are less well nourished according to Chinese medicine. As a result, women can become more sensitive to emotional fluctuations around menstruation.

Common characteristics are:

Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency

With a deficiency of Yin, relatively more heat arises in the body, which makes it easier for complaints around menstruation to arise.

Common characteristics are:

Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency

In this pattern, a deficiency of warmth and energy is instead central.

Common characteristics are:

Prognosis

Many women notice a decrease in their complaints within a few menstrual cycles. How quickly improvement occurs depends, among other things, on the severity and duration of the complaints, the underlying cause and factors such as stress, sleep and lifestyle.

For long-standing or more severe complaints, a course of treatment of several menstrual cycles is often needed. At the start, treatment is usually weekly. As the complaints decrease, the time between treatments can often be gradually increased.

Contact

Do you suffer from PMS and would you like to know whether acupuncture can mean something for you? During a first consultation we discuss your complaints, medical history and any underlying factors in detail. On that basis a treatment plan is drawn up that suits your situation. You can book an appointment online right away or get in touch for more information.

Read more

How does acupuncture work?
How many treatments do I need?
Pricing
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Go to contact to book an appointment right away!