Finding your flow
This Perfect Period occurs due to a complex hormonal interaction between our brain, adrenal glands and reproductive system.
Length: 29 days
Regularity: +/- one or two days every month
Colour: red blood colour (not pale, brown or dark purple)
Pain: Seamless transition into menstruation without pain or PMT
Flow: 3-7 day bleed, not overly light or flooding
Consistency: Smooth (not mucusy or clotted)
Spotting: No spotting mid-cycle or pre-menstruation
Your Perfect Period Treatment Pathway
STEP 2
Initial Consultation + Treatment
A 90-minute appointment where our Clinic Director Kimberley will listen to your story, review your personal and family medical history, any test and investigation results, understand your goals, and begin your acupuncture treatment.
STEP 3
Personalised Plan
Together, we’ll decide whether you’d benefit most from acupuncture-only care, extra support alongside acupuncture, or our most comprehensive programme with nutrition included for a full, 360 support programme, in order to give you the best chance to thrive.
3 Levels of Support
Acupuncture-Only. For those who just want treatment without the extras. Perfect if you’re already working with other practitioners or consultants. £75 per session or £560 for a package of 8 treatments. Recommended as a course over several weeks or months.
Bloom & Balance Packages. For those who want or require extra guidance and support beyond the treatment room.
Bloom (Fertility): Designed for couples or individuals trying to conceive.
Balance (Women’s Health): Focused on menstrual and hormonal health.
What’s included:
Acupuncture sessions tailored to your cycle
Advice on fertility and hormone testing, and help reviewing results
GP referral letters where needed
Links to trusted specialists and discounts on private testing
Educational resources and ongoing support between treatments
Flow Package. For those who want the most comprehensive support.
This includes everything in the Bloom & Balance packages PLUS:
Fertility Nutritional Therapy sessions for personalised nutrition, lifestyle and supplement guidance
A complete plan that connects acupuncture, food, supplements, and lifestyle to give your body the best chance to thrive
4 Phases of your cycle
In Eastern Medicine, we define our monthly flow into four distinct phases – a view that is guided by nature, the lunar cycle and the theory of Yin and Yang. By being mindful of how your cycle mirrors the ebb and flow of nature and your external environment, you can achieve a deeper, more intuitive understanding of your body.
Phase 1 Menstruation (day 1 -5)
Day 1 is the considered the first day of the 28-day cycle. If an egg hasn’t been fertilised, the endometrium sheds from the body, and the pituitary begins making FSH and LH hormones. This stimulates the ovaries to grow new follicles. This is our monthly health card and is a really important reflection of our current internal health. What does your phase 1 say about you? Has it changed in regularity, flow, consistency or pain?
Acupuncture during Phase 1 | Move Qi & Blood, Smooth the Liver
In Chinese Medicine, the focus is on invigorating the flow of Qi and Blood to ensure the lining can shed fully by stimulating blood flow to the pelvic cavity. This may also help to reduce cramping, which is considered to be a sign of blood stasis or Liver Qi Stagnation.
Phase 2 Follicular (day 6 - 12)
A time when one of your follicles becomes dominant and begins to produce more and more oestrogen, thanks to the progressive increase of FSH. This causes the uterine lining to thicken and cervical fluid to increase.
Acupuncture during Phase 2 | Nourish Kindey Yin and Heart Qi (Bao Mai).
In phase 2, the focus of your acupuncture treatment is on nourishing Yin, which corresponds to the blood and tissue in the uterine lining. However, the growth of the dominant follicle is considered to be a Yang process. This is our most feminine, Yin time of our cycle working with the Bao Mai (Heart – Uterus – Kidney axis).
Phase 3 | Ovulation (day 13 - 15)
This is your fertile window, a time to turn up the heat when trying to conceive and typically lasts between 2-3 days. That single, dominant follicle will release an egg after a spike of lutenising hormone (LH) which reflects in your Basal Body Temperature (BBT) chart as a key indication that ovulation has occurred in this cycle.
Acupuncture during Phase 3 | Transition from Yin to Yang.
This is when our peak of Yin begins its transformation into Yang, just after ovulation. A time when we will feel naturally more playful in the bedroom as our internal HEAT increases! Our aim? A smooth and symptom free ovulation without pain or spotting by nurturing our inner fire.
Phase 4 | Luteal (day 16 - 29)
After ovulation, the ruptured follicle (corpus luteum) begins to decay and secrete progesterone, further thickening your endometrial lining in the uterus providing a safe and comfortable home for implantation to occur. The egg then travels down the fallopian tube ready to be fertilised within 24 hours post ovulation.
If fertilisation does occur, your corpus luteum will begin to produce the pregnancy hormone, HCG. If fertilisation hasn’t occurred, the decaying will continue and the endometrium will break down and shed as a new menstrual cycle begins.
Acupuncture during Phase 4 | Smooth Liver Qi, Support Yang.
Understanding your monthly flow
Knowledge is the key to feeling confident and empowered in reclaiming your Perfect Period. I encourage you to be in touch with your own cycle by assisting you with identifying key aspects, from ovulation to your fertility window. And when you’ve knocked on many doors yielding no answers, I endeavour to become a partner in your journey to hormonal health and obtain all the information/support you need from my network of specialists in the following fields:
- Hormonal Profiling
- Nutritional Analysis
- Gut Health
- Herbal Formulas
It is my passion to help you reclaim your most feminine self by optimising your hormonal health, naturally.
Acupuncture + your period
Acupuncture is an effective technique used to treat the underlying conditions that may be disrupting your monthly flow such as stress, weight, digestion, scar tissue and internal inflammation. At my clinic, I work with many patients seeking natural techniques to overcome these endocrine disruptors and establish their Perfect Period.
Possible hormonal conditions causing irregular cycles:
Endometriosis
PCOS
Heavy Flow
Painful Periods
Irregular Menstrual Cycles
No Periods (Amenorrhea)
Anovulation
Peri-Menopausal
The Life + Lemons Approach
Rather than the traditional symptom-based approach to hormonal balance, we aim to address the underlying causes of your hormonal health by addressing the whole person, not just isolated symptoms.
Our care can look different for each person, depending on the level of support you choose. For some, that means acupuncture-only treatments to regulate cycles, ease pain, and bring relief. For others, it may also include functional medicine insights, nutritional therapy, and lifestyle guidance, all of which can help explore how stress, inflammation, diet, and your health history may be shaping your cycle + symptoms.
From painful periods and PMS to irregular cycles and heavy bleeding, our aim is to help you find balance and restore your Perfect Period.
Ready to begin?
Start with your 90-minute Initial Consultation + Treatment.
After this, we’ll recommend the most suitable pathway for you, whether that’s acupuncture alone, or one of our comprehensive treatment packages.
Book your Initial Consultation here or get in touch with us if you’d like to chat first.
If you have serious and on-going problems with your period or they have stopped entirely, you should see your GP for a more thorough investigation.
The Perfect Period Treatment
Rather than the traditional symptom-based approach to hormonal balance, I address the underlying causes of your hormonal health by addressing the whole person, not just isolated symptoms.
Our three-step pathway is designed to gently uncover the root causes of your symptoms, restore balance with personalised acupuncture, and help you feel reignited with confidence in your body + health.
Ready to explore what’s possible?
Acupuncture for Periods
FAQs
We’ve included below answers to the most common questions we receive from our patients. If you still have questions, please get in touch via email at [email protected].
Can acupuncture relieve menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)?
Yes, acupuncture has been shown to reduce the intensity, duration, and frequency of menstrual pain. It works by promoting blood flow to the uterus, relaxing pelvic muscles, reducing inflammation, and releasing endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers). Many women report needing less medication and enjoying better quality of life after regular acupuncture treatment.
Supporting Study: A large study published in the journal PLOS One found that a three-month treatment course of acupuncture significantly reduced period pain and related symptoms, with benefits lasting up to 12 months after treatment (source: Acupuncture for Dysmenorrhea).
Can acupuncture regulate irregular menstrual cycles (oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea)?
Yes, acupuncture can help restore a more menstrual regular cycle by influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (which governs hormone release) and by improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus. It is particularly helpful in conditions such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or absent periods (amenorrhea).
Supporting Study: A study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported that women with PCOS who received acupuncture showed improved menstrual frequency and hormonal balance (source: Acupuncture and Menstrual Frequency in PCOS).
Can acupuncture help with heavy periods (menorrhagia)?
Acupuncture shows promising results for women with heavy or irregular periods. It may help regulate uterine blood flow and influence hormones that affect the uterine lining. While large studies are limited, case reports have shown that acupuncture can restore more regular cycles and reduce excessive bleeding. It is often most effective when combined with herbal or nutritional support as part of a holistic plan.
Supporting Studies: Acupuncture for Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding ; Exploring Acupuncture as an Adjunctive Therapy for Puberty Menorrhagia.
How does acupuncture help with PMS symptoms?
Acupuncture can ease common PMS symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, mood swings, headaches, and fatigue. It does this by balancing hormones (especially oestrogen and progesterone), calming the nervous system, and reducing inflammation.
Supporting Study: A systematic review in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that acupuncture significantly improved PMS symptom scores compared with control groups, making it a promising non-drug approach (source: Acupuncture for Premenstrual Syndrome).
When should I have acupuncture for period-related symptoms?
Acupuncture can be effective before, during, and after your period. For menstrual cramps, many women benefit from treatment in the week leading up to menstruation and during the first few days of bleeding. For cycle regulation, weekly sessions across the month, over the course of 2-3 months may be recommended.
Supporting Study: A large study published in the journal PLOS One found that a three-month treatment course of acupuncture significantly reduced period pain and related symptoms, with benefits lasting up to 12 months after treatment (source: Acupuncture for Dysmenorrhea).
Is acupuncture safe during menstruation?
Yes, acupuncture is safe during your period when performed by a qualified practitioner. In fact, it can be particularly helpful for managing pain and heavy bleeding at this time. Some women also notice improvements in mood and energy during treatment.
Supporting Study: There are several studies reporting the benefits and safety of acupuncture across the menstrual cycle, including menstruation (source: The efficacy and safety of acupuncture in women with primary dysmenorrhea).
What’s more is that acupuncture and moxibustion have been reported as safer options and with less side effects when compared to traditional NSAIDs medications (source: Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture and or Moxibustion for Managing Primary Dysmenorrhea).
Can acupuncture support emotional wellbeing during my cycle?
Yes, acupuncture can help ease emotional and psychological symptoms linked to PMS and PMDD, such as mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and low mood. By calming the nervous system, balancing neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, and supporting hormone balance, acupuncture provides a gentle, drug-free option for emotional wellbeing throughout the cycle.
Supporting Studies: Acupuncture may significantly reduce mood-related PMS symptoms and improve overall quality of life (source: Acupuncture for Premenstrual Syndrome).
A systematic review of acupuncture and herbal treatments for PMS and PMDD found that these therapies produced a 50% or greater reduction in symptoms, including emotional distress, with no serious adverse events reported, highlighting both efficacy and safety (source: Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine for PMS and PMDD).
How many acupuncture sessions will I need?
This can vary depending on your symptoms, your medical history, your current picture of health and lifestyle, and how your body responds to the acupuncture treatment, as well as on the skills of your acupuncture practitioner. There are many factors to consider, and no two patients are the same.
Acupuncture for hormonal balance: Studies suggest regular acupuncture sessions can significantly improve hormone balance (LH, testosterone, insulin resistance, all markers linked to menstrual health), suggesting structured treatment schedules are beneficial (source: Acupuncture for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and PCOS).
Acupuncture of irregular periods and anovulation: Studies typically apply acupuncture two to three times weekly for about 12-13 weeks, yielding improvements in menstrual frequency, ovulation and reduction in excess sex hormones when compared to placebo (sources: 1. Acupuncture on Menstrual Frequency in Women with PCOS; 2. Acupuncture for Ovulation Induction in PCOS).
From early evidence and our own clinical experience, pairing acupuncture with lifestyle interventions such as nutrition and exercise may lead to even better outcomes for women with hormonal imbalances, such as PCOS and irregular cycles (source: Acupuncture as Adjuncts to Lifestyle Interventions in PCOS).
