Acupuncture, or acupressure, is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and in recent decades has gained popularity in the Western world as well. For women, acupuncture can be beneficial for a variety of conditions, but like any treatment, it has its benefits and risks.
The benefits of acupuncture for women are:
- Hormonal balance: Acupuncture can help regulate the menstrual cycle and improve hormonal balance.
- Pain reduction: Many women turn to acupuncture to reduce menstrual pain or endometriosis pain.
- Infertility control: Some studies show that acupuncture can improve fertility by increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.
- Pregnancy and childbirth: Acupuncture can help reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, reduce stress and fatigue, and prepare the body for labour.
- Menopause: Acupuncture can help reduce menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, sweating, sleep disturbances, and depression.
Harms or risks of acupuncture for women:
- Infections: If acupuncture is performed using unsterile instruments, there is a risk of infection.
- Organ damage: In rare cases, if the needles are inserted too deeply, it can damage internal organs.
- Side effects: Some patients may experience fatigue, dizziness or haematomas at the injection sites.
- Risks for pregnant women: Although acupuncture can be beneficial during pregnancy, some points may stimulate uterine contractions and cause premature labour or miscarriage. Therefore, it is important to only go to an experienced practitioner, especially if you are pregnant.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that you should consult a specialist before starting acupuncture treatment or any other method. This will help to ensure that the procedure is safe and maximises the benefits to your health.