Period pain or menstrual cramps according to various studies affect more than 80% of women. and are cramping pains in the lower abdomen occurring either just before or during menstrual periods. Discomfort ranges from being annoying or intensely throbbing and painful and can greatly interfere with school, work or social activities.
Standard treatment is over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or prescription non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or hormonal birth control pills.
However, not all women wish to take drugs on a regular basis.
Another option is acupuncture treatment. Unlike painkillers it doesn’t just treat the symptoms as they occur, but has an effect to lessen period pain for future cycles. Research studies have shown that acupuncture can help period pain by significantly reducing the intensity of pain and the length of time for which it is experienced.
In a review published in ‘Medicine Baltimore, 2018: 97 (23) e11007 which included 60 Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) they stated: ‘Acupuncture might reduce menstrual pain and associated symptoms more effectively compared with no treatment or NSAIDs.’
Derek Climpson has acupuncture clinics in Brentwood, Chelmsford and Leigh on Sea.