Painful menstruation

Period pain: Chinese medicine and acupuncture support

Discuss cramps, backache and disruptive period pain with Elizabeth Yau in Central. Review acupuncture options, daily comfort and when medical investigation is needed.

When people come in

Cramps or backache around your period
Pain disrupting work, sleep or movement
Pain that has changed or comes with pelvic symptoms

The TCM view of period pain

A classical saying holds that pain arises either where flow is obstructed or where tissue is under-nourished. Period pain is read through both lenses.

Common patterns

Qi and Blood stagnation

Distending or stabbing pain, clots

Cold with stagnation

Cold cramping, eased by heat, cold hands and feet

Damp-heat

Burning pain, dark sticky flow, yellow discharge

Qi and Blood deficiency

Dull ache after the period, better with pressure

Patterns are identified by a practitioner through all four examinations. They are here to explain the thinking, not for self-diagnosis.

The medical view

Period pain can be common, but endometriosis, adenomyosis and other pelvic conditions may also be involved. Worsening pain, painful sex or painful bowel movements should be discussed with a doctor.

Get medical help now if

Sudden severe pelvic pain, fever, fainting or bleeding in possible pregnancy requires urgent assessment.

What the consultation covers

Elizabeth asks about timing, location, flow, pain relief and daily impact. Acupuncture, individual TCM care and practical routines can then be discussed. Progress is reviewed through symptoms and daily function.

Therapies that may be discussed: Acupuncture, Moxibustion

Understanding your period pain pattern

Cramps around bleeding: describe their daily impact

Describe when pain starts, how it feels and whether backache, nausea or clots accompany it. These details inform a traditional assessment and help organise your history for medical care. Explain the practical impact too: missing work, waking at night or avoiding movement gives follow-up a meaningful focus.

Changing pain or pain between periods needs review

Pain that becomes worse, occurs outside periods or comes with painful sex or bowel movements deserves gynaecological assessment. Endometriosis, including an ovarian endometrioma sometimes called a chocolate cyst, and adenomyosis cannot be diagnosed from a TCM pattern. Supportive care can be discussed while continuing the medical plan.

Considering TCM alongside your current pain care

Acupuncture: discuss suitability and your preferences

Before considering acupuncture, share pain medication, diagnoses, possible pregnancy and bleeding concerns. Discuss your comfort with needles as well as suitability. Any plan should be individual; immediate relief and permanent resolution are not outcomes that can be promised to everyone.

Daily comfort and follow-up: focus on function

If warmth feels helpful, protect your skin and avoid excessive heat. Gentle movement can be adapted to comfort. At follow-up, compare pain, sleep interruption and everyday activity, not just whether a treatment felt relaxing. Persistent severe pain, increasing reliance on medication or new symptoms should prompt reassessment.

What to bring

Pain timing, severity and location
Scan results and pain medication
Activities or sleep affected by pain

Discuss the next step for your circumstances

To discuss your symptoms and suitable support, gather your history, medication and available findings, then contact Elizabeth Yau through WhatsApp. In-person consultations are in Central; online consultation can also be discussed. Arrange physical examination or medical follow-up where needed.

You may also want to read: Irregular periods · Premenstrual symptoms · Support when conception is difficult

Questions

Will period pain simply go away with age?

That cannot be assumed. Persistent, disruptive or changing pain deserves assessment.

Can I discuss TCM if I have endometriosis?

Supportive care can be discussed alongside your gynaecological treatment. Share all medication and treatment details.

Can I discuss TCM while using pain relief?

Share the medicine, dose and frequency, and tell your doctor about herbs or supplements. Do not stop prescribed care simply to try complementary treatment.

Can acupuncture be considered with endometriosis?

Support for comfort can be discussed individually. Acupuncture does not establish a diagnosis or replace follow-up, and should not be presented as removing an endometrioma.

How is progress reviewed?

There is no universal timetable. Agree what to monitor and when to review it, using pain, daily function and any new symptoms to decide whether care should change.