The questions keep coming in this series of common questions from new patients. We've already discussed "Can Fertility Acupuncture DELAY my period?" now we're going to answer "Can Acupuncture bring on my period?". I've said time and time again the thing I love about Acupuncture is that it's focus is regulating cycles and optimising hormones. Let's dive a bit deeper today into investigating this about Fertility Acupuncture.
I wanted to answer this question in two different contexts:
1. Can Acupuncture bring on my period at the FERTILITY stage
2. Can Acupuncture bring on my period at the POST-NATAL Stage
There are two different things happening in these scenarios and for today, well just take a look at the first one.
Bringing on your Period at the Fertility Stage.
The intention of Acupuncture is to work in harmony with your body's natural processes, so to ask can Fertility Acupuncture bring on your period is a really interesting question. Lets look at some situations where this may apply.
Can Acupuncture bring on my period, meaning...
- Speed up your cycle
- Bring on your period because you might be Pregnant and you don't want to be.
- For convenience's sake? (you're going on a holiday, attending an event etc)
1. Can Acupuncture bring on my period (to speed up your cycle).
We answered a similar question in "Can Acupuncture delay my period?" blogpost. The answer is yes, but only when it's appropriate.
When I would do this: In cases of Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Poly-cystic Ovaries (PCO) and a long cycle including women who have no cycle, no ovulation and ceased having a period altogether, the answer is a definitive YES!
This is where we want to help women get back into a regular, rhythmic cycle, where in the past there has been no regularity. I'd look at it on a scale of mild to severe.
Mild: Long, but regular cycles. It's common for some women to have 40 day cycles, every time. This isn't as severe as no cycle at all, but all can be benefitted by shortening the cycle and bringing on a period.
Moderate: No ovulation? But occasional cycles that are irregular. Some are 35 days apart, some are 65 days apart, some are 90 days apart, it changes constantly. My focus would be Ovulation needs to be kickstarted again, and trying to regulate the frequency of periods.
Severe: Can't remember the last time you had a period or none at all? Promoting Ovulation AND a regular cycle needs to be the Acupuncture treatment focus. Some of my clients have gone for 4 years without having a period, some for hundreds of days without a period. It does happen and if you want to have a baby, you need to start working on setting this straight ASAP!
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we talk about Stuck Qi, its one of the big principles in Acupuncture. A delayed or irregular period, is thought to be caused by qi and blood not flowing in a timely matter as it should in the meridians. This affects all things cyclic such as hormone cycles, sleep cycles and period cycles and show up with symptoms in these areas. [perfectpullquote align="full" cite="" link="" color="" class="" size=""]Acupuncture & Chinese herbal prescriptions are designed to move stuck qi, remove blockages, smooth out blood flow and get things moving again.[/perfectpullquote]
Another reason for a long cycle is Yang deficiency. Yang is your dynamic, active energy in the body. It is associated with PCOS pictures, because of the additional weight gain, insulin resistance and sluggishness of the ovaries. Acupuncture and herbs can be applied to correct this imbalance and resolve symptoms, promote better ovulation.
2. Can Acupuncture bring on my period? (because you might be Pregnant and you don't want to be.)
[perfectpullquote align="full" cite="" link="" color="" class="" size=""]There is NO scientific evidence to say Acupuncture can abort pregnancies, either intentionally or unintentionally.[/perfectpullquote]
Here's the studies evidence:
From another perspective, in fertility clinics everywhere when there is no explanation for pregnancy loss, the stance is usually, if it's meant to be it will be. I don't think Acupuncture can mess with the strength of an embryo or foetus. Whereas, chromosomal abnormalities and blighted ovum or other reasons can initiate a pregnancy, but not make it viable. These are factors determined outside the control of a fertility specialist or Acupuncturist.
3. Can Acupuncture bring on my period for convenience's sake? (you're going on a holiday, attending an event etc)
Short Answer: It's worth a try, but there's no guarantee. Here's why.
I'm not claiming Acupuncture can make your body do anything it doesn't want to do. But if you're stressed, this can be a cause for stagnating your qi. Going back to Point number 1, Stuck Qi can delay a period. Applying Acupuncture to move stuck qi, smooth out the flow of blood & qi and de-stress you, it's possible to say your period will arrive earlier than you expect. This is still within what is considered normal for you. It could bring it on 1-2 days before or if you really are suffering under stress, it can be a few days sooner than 2. [perfectpullquote align="full" cite="" link="" color="" class="" size=""]It all depends on how stressed you are. Stress stagnates qi and therefore your period. I can relate to this myself, stress definitely is a factor in delaying my period. [/perfectpullquote]
Whether Acupuncture can bring it on to fit in with your holiday plans, work schedule or event attendance is not predictable to the day at all. But de-stressing the body does help your body flow to it's natural rhythm more easily, and that's definitely what Acupuncture is about. Working with your body's natural processes and cycles.
If you need to bring on your period because you have a long cycle or irregular cycle, I would highly recommend trying Acupuncture. Go to this link to access your FREE Temperature Chart and start tracking your period cycle. You can email me your graph and I'd love to email you back dome feedback in return. Connect with me at info@springfertility.com.au today!
