By Michelle Iwama, MAOM, L.Ac.
PMS, premenstrual syndrome, is more than just a monthly annoyance. For many women, it’s a cascade of physical discomfort and emotional instability: bloating, fatigue, mood swings, cramps, anxiety, food cravings, and breast tenderness, often lasting days or even weeks before menstruation. These symptoms can disrupt daily life, relationships, and productivity.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), PMS often stems from stagnant Liver Qi, spleen deficiency, and blood stasis, all patterns that lead to emotional tension, pain, and fluid retention. Acupuncture helps smooth the flow of Qi and blood throughout the body, calms the spirit, and regulates hormonal function naturally.
Modern research supports what centuries of traditional practice have observed. A 2018 meta-analysis published in BMJ Open found that acupuncture significantly reduced PMS symptoms, including mood swings, cramps, and irritability, when compared to placebo, medications, and other interventions (Yang et al., 2018). Women receiving acupuncture were more likely to experience symptom relief with fewer side effects.
Another review in PLOS ONE showed that acupuncture can reduce anxiety, depression, and stress levels associated with PMS by modulating endorphins and serotonin levels, offering biochemical support for what many patients report anecdotally: they feel calmer, more stable, and more emotionally resilient after treatments (Armour et al., 2013).
Beyond mood-related symptoms, acupuncture also appears to influence the endocrine system. A 2019 review in Complementary Therapies in Medicine confirmed that acupuncture can help regulate menstrual cycles and support hormone balance, particularly for women experiencing irregular periods, spotting, or painful cramps (Smith et al., 2019). Another study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research found that acupuncture improves uterine and ovarian blood flow, helping ease pelvic pain and support overall reproductive health (Gao et al., 2013).
With acupuncture, patients frequently share that their cycles become more predictable and less painful, with fewer emotional lows and less need for over-the-counter medications. Many also find that sleep, digestion, and energy improve as their hormones begin to rebalance. If PMS symptoms are interfering with your life, acupuncture offers a time-tested, science-backed path toward balance.
About the Author
Michelle Iwama is a licensed acupuncturist and founder of Ardent Acupuncture in Houston, TX. She is also an Executive Director of Kassandra Wellness Group. At Ardent Acupuncture in Houston, Michelle Iwama helps women move through PMS by using acupuncture as a gentle yet powerful way to balance the body and soothe the nervous system. Drawing from her background in East Asian medicine and functional nutrition, she takes a holistic and personalized approach to cycle health. You can learn more or book a session at https://www.ardentacupuncture.com.
