Acupuncture for PMS & PMDD
At Emma Quine – Acupuncture, I work with women and people with periods every day. Some cycles are short, some long, some bring emotional waves, others heavy bloating, fatigue or sore breasts in the lead-up to your bleed.
If you feel irritable, teary, overwhelmed or unlike yourself before your period, you’re not overreacting — and you don’t have to put up with it.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is common, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal.
For some, symptoms are more severe and intense — this is called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). It can include mood swings, severe irritability, depression, anxiety, and difficulty functioning. If this sounds familiar, know that support is available, and acupuncture alongside lifestyle changes can help ease these symptoms.
💫 What PMS & PMDD Look Like
PMS and PMDD symptoms can include mood changes, bloating, sleep issues, bowel changes, cravings, fatigue, and low motivation.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, these symptoms usually reflect different internal patterns:
Liver Qi Stagnation – often triggered by stress or emotional tension. Symptoms include irritability, sore breasts, headaches, bowel changes, and a feeling of pressure.
Yang Qi Deficiency – low warming energy in the body. You might feel bloated, tired, cold, weepy or experience dull back pain before your period.
Blood Deficiency – insufficient nourishment, causing dizziness, teariness, anxiety or spotting.
Blood Stagnation – when blood flow is impeded, leading to sharp or stabbing pain, cramping, dark menstrual blood, and sometimes clots.
🌿 How I Support You
PMS and PMDD respond well to a tailored acupuncture and herbal approach. Your treatment plan may include:
✔ Acupuncture to calm your nervous system, move stuck energy and blood, and balance hormones
✔ Practitioner-only Chinese herbs & supplements
✔ Dietary and lifestyle advice suited to your unique cycle and constitution
✔ Soothing warmth from a cosy heat lamp placed over your belly during treatment
✔ A safe space to rest and rebalance your hormones
🌸 Everyday Tips to Ease PMS & PMDD
💫 Nourish more, not less
Your metabolism rises before your period. Support it with nourishing meals and snacks — an extra boiled egg, a handful of nuts, or a serve of cooked greens can make a difference.
💫 Move gently
In the second half of your cycle, switch from intense workouts to restorative movement like Pilates, yoga, walking or breathwork.
💫 Choose warming, calming foods
Leafy greens, chicken soup, legumes, seeds, bananas, dandelion chai and a little dark chocolate support magnesium levels and may ease cramps and mood swings.
💫 Connect with what grounds you
Spend time with loved ones, in nature, journal, have a magnesium bath or enjoying a calm activity. Let yourself slow down before your bleed.
💫 Prioritise rest
Your body is working hard. Honour that by saying no when you need to, and tuning into what your body asks for.
If your premenstrual weeks feel overwhelming or heavy, acupuncture and personalised support may bring balance and ease.
Book a session in Leichhardt or Marrickville, and let’s work together on your hormone health journey.