Gynaecology

These are the conditions I treat regularly:

• Menstrual irregularities and pain
• PMS and PMT
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and PCO (Polycystic Ovaries)
• Endometriosis
• Hormonal acne and headaches
• Lack of sex drive
• Thrush and cystitis
• Early menopause, menopause and associated symptoms

Many girls and women suffer needlessly with their periods and related conditions such as acne and breast tenderness. Often they are prescribed an oral contraceptive pill to suppress, but not eliminate, the symptoms and this can have implications for their fertility.  Most of the time, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can treat the symptoms so that the patient no longer has to suffer.  Periods should be pain and tension free, without flooding or spotting and should last, ideally, about 3-4 days.  As well as using acupuncture, I supplement my gynaecological treatments with abdominal massage where indicated.

I would like to see more patients at the beginning of their reproductive years so that menstrual problems can be treated early - please see my Mother & Daughter Clinic.

 

Case study (1) - Endometriosis

Selina (29) came to see me with painful periods and a diagnosis of possible endometriosis.  She assumed it was "perfectly normal" to be taking 3-4 Ibuprofen on days 1 & 2 of her period and did so every month.  Seeing her weekly over three cycles we managed to reduce her period pain - using acupuncture and Abdominal Massage - so that she no longer required medication. She also suffered less from PMT and breast tenderness.  After that Selina came to me once a month, just before her period, for another 3 months.  At that point we were certain that the pain would probably not return but she will come back to see me if necessary.

 

Menopause

Case study – menopause

Sharon was 55 when she came to see me with menopausal symptoms.  She had severe headaches between her eyebrows during the night, restless legs and very hot cheeks.  As well as this she suffered from insomnia with trouble getting to sleep as well as waking with night sweats and some anxiety with palpitations.  She was using yoga and meditation to help calm her anxiety which was quite effective so I concentrated on relieving the heat symptoms. At the second session her headaches had improved and she had not suffered from restless legs at night but she was still experiencing hot flushes.  By the third session her sleep had improved and by the fifth she no longer had hot flushes or night sweats.  As she was feeling so much better she stopped coming for treatment but would have benefitted from regular monthly ‘top-up’ treatments just to keep the symptoms at bay.