Acupuncture For Hormone Support
Healthy hormone regulation can make a huge difference in our wellbeing.
Hormones impact a lot of our bodily functions and can shift dramatically at different times of life - for example during a pregnancy and around perimenopause and menopause.
There are also more subtle and frequent shifts that can occur, for example the changes in hormone levels throughout the phases of the menstrual cycle. Hormones can be influenced by a number of factors including diet, sleep, stress and more. One thing that can help support hormone regulation and symptoms of imbalance is acupuncture.
What are symptoms of hormone imbalance?
Some hormonal symptoms are talked about widely like first trimester nausea in pregnancy and moodiness before the period starts a.k.a. PMS. But any transition, including larger ones like perimenopause, can trigger a wide range of emotional and physical symptoms that may feel dissimilar to a friend's experience. For example, we hear about hot flashes a lot with perimenopause and menopause, but other symptoms like trouble sleeping, headaches, and irritability can be just as likely.
Common hormonal conditions include
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and mood fluctuations around menstrual cycle
Irregular periods
Ovulation issues
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Perimenopause/Menopause
So how can acupuncture help?
There isn’t one set of points that regulates hormones. Instead your acupuncturist will work with you by listening to your history, observing your pulse, your tongue and current symptoms to determine a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis. The detailed intake helps guide your provider to a set of points to help adjust your body's response. Determining triggers -like different foods, times of menstrual cycle, lack of sleep, etc., can also suggest lifestyle changes to support changes in hormone production.
At Root to Rise, your acupuncturist will target your needs and work with you to develop a treatment plan to support you at any stage of your hormonal health journey.
Menstruation
Each phase of the menstrual cycle has a different goal and we use the acupuncture treatment to help facilitate that. Different acupuncture point combinations are used to promote ovulation, start your period, or rebuild post period. Acupuncture can also support PMS, PMDD, and any mood fluctuations around the menstrual cycle. Ideally we want all four phases (period, post-period, ovulation, post-ovulation) of the cycle to be as smooth and symptom free as possible.
Typical cycles tend to last between 25-35 days, but there is individual variance. Careful attention is paid to any phase that continually is an issue for patients so we can aim to improve it. Plus, certain conditions contribute more to irregularity, such as:
Ovulation issues
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Endometriosis
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
In addition to balancing hormones, acupuncture can assist with pain relief, inflammation reduction, and stress management, all of which can further support the menstrual cycle. For those looking to maximize their reproductive health, learn how acupuncture can be an ally when trying to conceive.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the hormonal transition leading up to menopause. It was thought to last on average ~4-5 years, however recent studies show that it can actually be anywhere from 1-10 years prior to menopause (or the last menstrual cycle). Since typical menopause age ranges from 45-58, for some people perimenopause can start as early as mid thirties.
During this time, the amount of hormones your ovaries make varies. You may notice your menstrual cycles get shorter or longer, irregular ovulation, fertility difficulties, increasing vaginal or bladder issues, as well as changes in sexual function.
Because every person is unique, we’ll create a fluid acupuncture treatment plan depending on what you need in order to balance and harmonize your body during this transition.
Menopause
Once you've gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, you've officially reached menopause. Outside of the natural decline of hormones, menopause can result from the removal of the ovaries, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and primary ovarian insufficiency.
Some common symptoms experienced with menopause include:
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Insomnia
Fatigue
Vaginal dryness
Mood changes
Brain fog
As a holistic medicine, acupuncture has the ability to alleviate the physical, emotional, and mental symptoms you may be experiencing with menopause.
Can acupuncture be used alongside hormone therapy?
Yes, acupuncture can support your journey whether or not you are also utilizing hormone regulation therapy like oral birth control, progesterone supplementation, hormone suppression medication and others.
Do I need an official diagnosis to try acupuncture?
No, an official diagnosis is not necessary to try acupuncture. At your evaluation we will discuss your symptoms and health goals and determine a treatment plan. We will support you by tracking symptoms and managing progress. We will work alongside your other providers and will make suggestions about following up for more diagnostic information as appropriate if needed.
We’re on Your Team
No matter what stage you’re at on your hormonal health journey, we’re here to support you.
Your initial evaluation will involve a full health history looking at all of your health systems so your acupuncturist can determine the right diagnosis and treatment plan for you. We also offer 30 minute both in-person and virtual consultation visits where you can ask some questions, meet a provider, and see if Root to Rise is the right practice for you.
At Root to Rise Physical Therapy & Pelvic Health, we believe in a holistic approach to physical therapy. Our Doctors of Physical Therapists are specialized in treating both orthopedic and pelvic health conditions. Our practice also integrates acupuncture and yoga and we are always excited to be a resource for the community we practice in. We are located in Scarborough, Saco, and Bath, and are here to support you!
Schedule your free 30 minute consultation with us today!
We would love to be on your team! We take the time to listen to your story and learn your unique goals and will be by your side throughout your health and wellness journey.
Common Conditions We Treat With Acupuncture
Pregnancy and postpartum care
Irregular menses & painful periods
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) & pelvic pain conditions
Menopausal symptoms
Urinary incontinence, frequency or urgency
Bowel irregularity including constipation & diarrhea
Low back & hip pain including sciatica
Headaches & migraines
Stiff neck, tennis elbow, trigeminal neuralgia, dizziness,
Anxiety & depression
Stress management
Meet Our Acupuncturists
Carole Wyche, Lic. Ac., MAOM
Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist, Administrative & Marketing Coordinator
Carole (she/her/hers) is a nationally certified and licensed acupuncturist and herbalist who began practicing in 2012. Her passion for women’s health has inspired additional training in fertility support, regulation of cycles, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery. She gave birth to her first child in August 2020, an experience that has increased her empathy for all mothers, amazement at the capability of the human body, and advocacy for postpartum care and support.
Her interest in acupuncture began after receiving treatment herself to address acid reflux. She found treatments left her feeling less stressed and more balanced in addition to having improved digestion, and that was an experience she wanted to pass on to others. She is continually fascinated by the theories of traditional Chinese medicine that beautifully articulate the interconnection of our internal systems–each part affecting the whole.
She has experience treating a wide variety of conditions, including pain, digestive disorders, anxiety, and sleep trouble. She has worked in many settings in Massachusetts and Maine, including Boston Medical Center, an outpatient neurosurgical practice, an addiction and behavioral health home, and a private practice. Each setting has offered unique opportunities for growth and human connection.
Academics & Teachings
Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at New England School of Acupuncture
Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Wake Forest University
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) Diplomate
Licensed Acupuncturist in Maine
License in Custom-Made Chinese Herbal Formulation in Maine
Specialized Continued Education training in Treatment of Fertility with coursework by Jane Lyttleton
Specialized Continued Education training in Acupuncture in Pregnancy with coursework by Debra Betts
Power of Awareness Mindfulness Training with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach
Using Mind Body Techniques in Clinical Practice – 8 week MBSR curriculum, Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy
Kristen DiReda, Lic. Ac.
Acupuncturist
Kristen (sher/her/hers) is a board-certified and Licensed Acupuncturist with a Master of Science in Acupuncture from Pacific College of Health and Science. She joins the team after a recent move from Brooklyn, NY, where she worked as an acupuncturist specializing in hormonal health, fertility and pregnancy support, emotional wellness, and pain management at a busy clinic.
As a self-proclaimed lifelong learner, Kristen continues to broaden her knowledge of the diverse medical needs of patients and the tools to support them. Her participation in the PUSH Professionals Perinatal Mentorship provided additional education for treating patients during the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. Specialized education through Memorial Sloan Kettering equipped her with acupuncture skills to support those undergoing cancer treatment and its associated side effects. In addition to Chinese Medicine, she is also a certified Usui Reiki Master Practitioner and loves incorporating aspects of reiki into acupuncture treatments when it aligns.
Kristen believes compassion and empathy are the cornerstones of healing. She is excited to support patient growth, well-being, and health through honest communication, authentic connection, and complementary medicine and modalities.
Academics & Teachings
Master's of Science in Acupuncture from Pacific College of Health and Science, New York, NY
Bachelor's of Arts in International Studies from University of South Carolina
PUSH Professionals Perinatal Mentorship Program, Dr. Deb Davies, DACM, L.Ac.
Fundamentals of Oncology Acupuncture, Memorial Sloan Kettering