🩸 Period Pain Is Not Normal + Tests for Endometriosis
Last month I celebrated the opening of my new clinic with an open house - thank you to all of you who celebrated with me and my colleagues! It was a unique moment because most of my work with patients, as you know, is a private one-to-one relationship. I was thrilled to put on some party music and enjoy an evening of bubbly community connection! An ongoing intention I have is to create community around the themes that I see in my acupuncture practice. From the ins and outs of charting the menstrual cycle to pondering the career-family balance of new parenthood, there's so much wisdom and support to share collectively. Maybe it's a book club. Maybe it's a monthly "Cycle Cafe" mixer. Are you yearning for community support around your hormone health? I'd love to hear your ideasđź’ˇ!
Period Pain Is Not Normal 🩸
One of the most common themes I hear in my practice is painful periods. In the last year, over half of my new patients reported severe menstrual pain, in the range of 6-9 out of 10 on a pain scale. What's interesting to me is that most of my patients with this level of pain are not in my practice to resolve their pain. They are here for fertility support or to help resolve severe PMS or symptoms of perimenopause. In our culture we have come to expect that periods and pain go together. Period pain is common, very common, but it is not normal. Pain is a symptom that I keep track of for all my patients, no matter what their ultimate goal is, and is a symptom that tells us if we are moving in the right direction for other hormone-related concerns.
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March was endometriosis awareness month. One of the hallmarks of endometriosis is painful periods. Endometriosis can impact fertility and it is also often intertwined with thyroid and estrogen imbalances, as well as the immune system. The good news is that integrative medicine has an enormous toolbox for supporting endometriosis and painful periods. The complex web that touches endometriosis is one reason why testing is so important in my practice. Whether someone has a diagnosis of endometriosis or undiagnosed painful periods, my three go-to tests are:
Blood test: This expanded panel looks at full thyroid (not just TSH!), blood sugar including insulin, iron, Vitamin D, folate, Vitamin B12 and homocysteine.
DUTCH test: This at-home urine test looks at estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels AND, importantly, how these hormones are processed and detoxed in your body. This is the test for fine-tuning the hormone picture that can drive menstrual migraines, painful periods, severe mood swings, acne and more.
Stool test: Gut function touches every other system in the body and can be a driver of inflammation that impacts reproductive health and a root cause of estrogen imbalance that shows up in painful periods and severe PMS.
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In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), endometriosis and painful periods are seen as a manifestation of underlying imbalances, often involving stagnation of Qi and Blood, as well as patterns of Heat, Cold and Dampness. Acupuncture, with its ability to regulate the flow of Qi and Blood, can alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote overall balance within the body. In my practice I combine acupuncture with herbal medicine, testing, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplements to achieve the best results for endometriosis and period pain.
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It is important to note that painful periods can occur without endometriosis. As an acupuncturist, I can not diagnosis endometriosis. A diagnosis is typically made via surgery. A diagnosis is not necessary to get started with acupuncture and integrative medicine.
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✨✨ Do you know someone who is struggling with endometriosis or painful periods? I offer a free 15-minute consultation to get acquainted with my practice via the “book now” tab above.
“I didn’t know I could feel this good! My menstrual pain dramatically reduced in the first month of seeing Anne. In three months my pain was gone and my PMS was resolved too. I had been suffering for almost twenty years. I am so thankful!”