Many people in Hervey Bay experience period pain, and acupuncture is commonly used as part of their overall menstrual care.
Period pain, also called dysmenorrhoea, involves cramping or aching in the lower abdomen before or during menstruation and can affect concentration, sleep and day-to-day activities.
A 2023 national survey found that 47% of Australian women aged 18 and over had experienced pelvic pain, which includes dysmenorrhoea (period pain), in the previous five years.
Source: Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, 2023
Research shows roughly 25% of women experience pain intense enough to disrupt school, work or sleep during their menstrual cycle.
Source: Armour et al., 2019
A study estimated that dysmenorrhoea accounts for more than 5 million days of lost productivity each year due to reduced ability to work or study.
Source: Australian Pelvic Pain Foundation, 2020
Some people don’t realise that period pain can be either “primary” (not linked to another condition) or “secondary” (linked with issues like endometriosis). Understanding the difference helps guide the right care and support.
Period pain is cramping or aching in the lower abdomen that occurs before or during menstruation. Many people also experience back ache, nausea, loose stools, headaches or fatigue. The severity can vary from a mild monthly nuisance to pain that makes it hard to work, sleep or take part in daily activities.
I focus on providing supportive care at my Hervey Bay clinic while encouraging patients to continue working with their GP or specialist for diagnosis and medical management when needed.
When period pain is strong, it can interrupt concentration, exercise, sleep and routine tasks. Some people find they avoid social activities or miss days of work or study each month. The emotional load can also build over time, especially when the pain feels unpredictable or difficult to manage.
Primary dysmenorrhoea is usually linked with the release of prostaglandins, which can make the uterus contract more strongly. Secondary dysmenorrhoea is connected with underlying conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease. A GP may recommend investigations if the pain is severe, worsening or accompanied by unusual symptoms.
Medical treatments may include anti-inflammatory medicines, hormonal contraceptives, heat therapy and management of underlying conditions. Acupuncture can sit alongside this care as a supportive therapy.
In Chinese medicine, painful periods often relate to patterns such as Qi stagnation, Blood stasis, Cold in the uterus or Liver Qi constraint. Each pattern has a different feel: sharp fixed pain may point to stasis, while cramping that improves with warmth may reflect Cold. I assess your overall presentation—including digestion, stress levels, sleep and menstrual history—to form a pattern diagnosis and guide the treatment plan.
My aim is to help improve comfort, support smoother menstrual flow and address contributing imbalances using acupuncture and, when appropriate, Chinese herbal medicine.
Acupuncture is widely used for menstrual pain and is understood to influence muscle tension, circulation and the body’s natural pain-modulating chemicals. Many people report feeling calmer and less tense after treatment.
Your treatment depends on your individual pattern. A session may involve:
Not all of these are used in every session. The plan is based on what seems most helpful for your symptoms and comfort.
Depending on your presentation, supportive care may also include:
You should chat with your GP if your pain is severe, keeps getting worse, is suddenly different, or comes with heavy bleeding, fever, unusual discharge or pain during intercourse. These signs can point to conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis, which need medical assessment.
If you’d like support with menstrual pain, you can book online anytime. I’ll walk you through your symptoms, form a Chinese medicine pattern diagnosis and develop a plan that suits your needs.