Women's Health

Female health issues are a special interest of acubody therapies, partly because they can affect women’s lives so deeply, partly since there is so often little available in the way of conventional medicine to address such issues, and partly because we have so much success in treating in that area! Duncan has completed Dr Trevor Wings diploma in Chinese medicine for Gynecology and obstetrics with Merit, and has been turning that knowledge into experience since.

Fertility, subfertility and infertility

An ever increasing area of concern for many couples. It is more and more common for people to wait until they have more stability, financial security, career progression before considering family. Many people do not settle on a partner until their mid thirties or later, and this combined with declining male fertility in the Western world has made fertility problems more and more common.

We have a dedicated page on acupuncture and Chinese medicine for fertility.

Menstrual irregularity

Aside from the inconvenience of unpredictability, irregular cycles show that something is out of balance and can be a factor in fertility problems, or evidence of more serious underlying pathology.

Menstrual Irregularity & Irregular Periods

The NHS describes irregular periods as a gap between periods that keeps changing, often shorter than 21 or longer than 35 days. Causes include puberty, perimenopause, stress, weight or exercise changes, PCOS and thyroid problems. See your GP if your periods suddenly become irregular, last longer than seven days, or come with bleeding between periods.

Irregular cycles can affect fertility, and occasionally point to more serious underlying pathology, so a medical check comes first. Once other causes are addressed, many people come to us for acupuncture for irregular periods. Research on this is limited outside the PCOS studies above. Chinese medicine looks at patterns of disharmony such as stagnation of qi or blood, blood deficiency or weak kidney energy, and treatment is matched to your individual presentation. A cycle diary kept for two to three months helps us see your pattern and monitor the changes we are looking for as outcome measures.

Acupuncture for irregular periods in London is available at our clinics in Holborn (WC1) and Lee (SE12).

Menstrual pain

Despite being so common as to seem normal, menstrual pain is also a symptom of some imbalance in a woman’s system and can be treated with acupuncture and Chinese medicine to reduce, and sometime completely get rid of the pain. This also applies to pre menstrual pain.

Menstrual Pain & Period Pain

What helps with period pain?

Acupuncture for period pain is a drug-free option some people use alongside conventional advice like anti inflammatory medication, or if they do not want to take medication. The research evidence is mixed and of low quality, so we explain the evidence honestly, but bear in mind there are issues around interpreting the research evidence available. See your GP if pain is severe, worsening or new.

In short

• In Chinese medicine acupuncture we aim to address the underlying imbalance causing the pain and not just the symptoms.
• In clinical practice treatment is individualised for your presentation, not just given according to a diagnostic label.
• We combine acupuncture, Chinese medicine and, where useful, bodywork, alongside your GP’s care.
• Progress is best judged over about three cycles.
• Cochrane rates the evidence for acupuncture for period pain as low quality and inconclusive.
• Severe, new or worsening pain needs a medical check first.

Period pain is common, but severe pain is worth taking seriously. In Chinese medicine we read it as qi and blood not moving freely, often with cold, tension or depletion in the background. We ask about your cycle, when the pain starts, what it feels like, your digestion, sleep and stress, then choose points to match.

In practice, we often see people who have already tried painkillers and heat packs. Some want another option. Others want to take fewer tablets. Tight muscles in the lower back, hips and abdomen can add to the ache, so we sometimes include myofascial release or neuromuscular therapy in the same session.

What does the research say about acupuncture for period pain?

The Cochrane review covered 42 trials and 4,640 women. It rated the evidence as low or very low quality. The one trial at low risk of bias in every area found no difference from sham acupuncture. However trials use the same points for everyone to reduce variables and sham acupuncture has been shown to be physiologically active. Reviewers did find fewer side effects with acupuncture than with anti-inflammatory drugs. So acupuncture for period pain is an option some people try, though not a proven treatment. We tell you this at your first visit.

Pressure Points for Period Cramps

Many people ask us about pressure points for menstrual pain. Three are widely used as pressure points for menstrual cramps at home. Press firmly and steadily for one to two minutes on each side. It should feel strong, never sharp.

• SP6 (Sanyinjiao): around four finger-widths above the inner ankle bone, just behind the shin bone.
• Lv3 (Taichong): on top of the foot, in the groove between the big toe and second toe.
• SP8 (Diji): on the inside of the calf muscle a third of the way dwon from the knee to the ankle bone
• LI4 (Hegu): in the web between thumb and index finger.

A 2016 systematic review of SP6 acupressure found promising results for period pain, but the studies were small and of low quality. Do not use SP6 or LI4 if you are, or might be, pregnant as they are contraindicated.

Acupuncture for PCOS Symptoms

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can bring irregular or absent periods, acne, extra hair growth, weight changes and low mood. NICE renamed it polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in May 2026, so you may see both names. NICE guidance centres on a GP-led diagnosis, lifestyle support and medicines where needed.

Acupuncture is not a cure for PCOS. A 2025 Cochrane review found no clear difference between acupuncture and sham acupuncture for ovulation, live birth or regular periods, and called the overall effect uncertain. However bear in mind methodological problems with ‘sham acupuncture’ as a control mean comparing results with other best available treatment may be more useful. Although a lower standard of evidence, clinical experience has shown acupuncture and herbal medicine can often help with regulating the cycle and with some of the other symptoms even though it cannot be said to be a cure. A 2026 meta-analysis did report lower anxiety and depression scores after acupuncture, though the authors call for better trials.

In practice, people come to us for help with cycle symptoms, stress, sleep, digestion and energy alongside their medical care. We combine acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine where suitable. Keep taking prescribed medicine, and tell us everything you take, including supplements.

Pre menstrual syndrome

Mood swings, irritability, cramps, breast tenderness, bloating, headaches and digestive upset can all make your life unpleasant. We have strategies for working with all these symptoms through the Chinese medical approach of treating the individual, identifying a pattern and correcting the imbalance with acupuncture, massage or herbal medicine. 

A really common factor in pre menstrual symptoms which often relate to the pattern of liver qi stagnation is stress and emotional frustration. This leads to obstruction of the free flow of qi which manifests as symptoms like bloating, breast tenderness and irritability.

Obstetrics- Care during pregnancy

When pregnant there are few drugs known to be completely safe, whereas acupuncture is safe and beneficial. Many women choose to use acupuncture for various problems they experience during pregnancy. This can range from the nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy (morning sickness seems to be more common in the evening in my experience) indigestion, back ache, headaches and joint pain. We can even assist with turning a breech presentation and try and help prepare your body for labour, including acupuncture to get the contractions started if you want to avoid chemical induction.

Who may this not be suitable for?

Acupuncture is generally low risk with a registered practitioner. Please see your GP before booking if you have:

• New, severe or worsening pelvic or period pain
• Pain with fever, unusual discharge or pain during sex
• Bleeding between periods or after sex
• Three missed periods in a row, or a possible pregnancy
• A bleeding disorder, or you take blood thinners (tell us so we can adapt treatment)

Tell us if you are pregnant or trying to conceive, as some points are avoided. This page does not replace a medical diagnosis. See what to expect at your consultation.

Research list

List of references to research on acupuncture for gynecology and obstetrics