Sep 08

If you’ve been searching for ways to manage hormonal disorders in women, you’re not alone, and there’s gentle help available. Acupuncture offers support beyond diagnosis, helping ease symptoms and bring more comfort into your life.

Wondering if acupuncture could help with your hormonal symptoms? Book a free consultation with our Edmonton clinic to learn how we can support you.

Why Hormonal Conditions in Women Are So Complex (and Often Overlooked)

Hormonal disorders in women are often missed because the symptoms can be small or look like something else. Hormones affect your mood, sleep, energy, skin, and ability to get pregnant. However, their effects are not always easy to measure. Even though lab tests can help, they don’t always show what’s really going on. Also, symptoms like mood swings, weight gain, and pain can happen with many different health issues, which makes things harder to figure out.

Still, many women are told their tests look normal, even when they still feel unwell. That can be frustrating. We understand that. That’s why we take time to listen, look at the full picture, and give care that supports your whole body, not just what the test results say.

acupuncturist helping with hormonal disorders in women

How Acupuncture Supports Hormonal Health

Acupuncture is a supportive option for hormonal disorders in women. It helps relieve symptoms in several simple but effective ways:

  • Improved blood flow
    Need better circulation? Acupuncture helps increase blood flow to the pelvic and reproductive areas. That supports organs and tissues in working more smoothly.
  • Calming the nervous system
    When stress runs high, hormonal signals can go out of sync. Acupuncture helps slow down stress responses and promotes more restful nervous system function.
  • Reducing inflammation
    Many hormonal issues come with low-level inflammation. Regular acupuncture sessions can ease swelling and support tissue health.
  • Supporting balance in hormone output
    Acupuncture doesn’t replace hormones. Instead, it nudges your system toward more natural regulation. That process can support shifts toward normal cycle rhythm, better ovulation, or calmer symptoms.

Overall, acupuncture helps your body work more efficiently and feel more stable in the long term.

Common Hormonal Conditions We Treat (And How We Approach Them)

When it comes to women’s health, hormonal conditions can impact every part of daily life — from energy levels and mood to menstrual cycles, fertility, and overall well-being. At Monica Patt Acupuncture in Edmonton, we specialize in providing evidence-based acupuncture treatments for hormonal health. Many of our patients seek us out after struggling to find lasting solutions elsewhere, and together we create a personalized plan that blends acupuncture, nutrition guidance, movement, and when appropriate, customized herbal medicine.

Here are some of the most common hormonal conditions we support in our clinic:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is one of the most common hormonal and metabolic conditions affecting women of reproductive age. Symptoms can include irregular or absent periods, acne, excess facial or body hair, weight gain, and difficulties with fertility. PCOS is often linked with insulin resistance, which can make cycles harder to regulate.

Acupuncture has been shown to:

  • Improve ovulation and menstrual regularity

  • Lower circulating androgen levels

  • Increase insulin sensitivity and support weight management

Research highlight: Stener-Victorin et al. found that electroacupuncture improved ovulation rates in women with PCOS, increasing ovulatory cycles from 15% before treatment to 66% after treatment.¹

In our Edmonton clinic, we pair acupuncture with dietary suggestions to minimize insulin resistance and specific herbs and supplements to maximize treatment results.

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
PCOS brings a mix of hormonal disruptions and symptoms, like irregular cycles, acne, excess hair, and fertility blocks. We approach it by combining consistent acupuncture with diet and movement guidance.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus, causing painful periods, pelvic inflammation, and fertility challenges.

Acupuncture for endometriosis can:

  • Reduce pelvic pain and inflammation

  • Support hormone balance

  • Improve immune function and blood flow

A 2019 meta-analysis found acupuncture significantly reduced endometriosis-related pain compared to control groups.² We often integrate gentle bodywork and herbal support to ease pelvic tension and improve quality of life.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis involves the uterine lining growing into the muscular wall of the uterus, which can lead to heavy bleeding and severe period pain.

Acupuncture has been shown to:

  • Reduce menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)

  • Improve blood flow to the uterus

  • Support overall hormonal regulation³

Our approach is focused on easing discomfort and helping patients regain a sense of normalcy and balance in their daily lives.

Irregular Cycles

Unpredictable or missed periods and spotting can create stress and uncertainty. Acupuncture is effective in helping regulate the menstrual cycle by:

  • Supporting follicle development and ovulation

  • Improving uterine lining health

  • Stabilizing hormonal rhythms via the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis⁴

Many of our Edmonton patients find that regular acupuncture brings more predictability, balance, and confidence in their cycle health.

Our comprehensive approach: Every treatment plan at Monica Patt Acupuncture in Edmonton is customized. We combine acupuncture with nutrition and lifestyle recommendations, stress management tools, and evidence-based herbal medicine to support hormonal balance and long-term health.

Our Approach to Supplement and Herbal Support

As part of your treatment plan for hormonal disorders in women, we may recommend supplements or herbal formulas to support your symptoms. These are always chosen with care, based on your health history, cycle patterns, and specific concerns.

We also take into account any medications or sensitivities to make sure everything works well together. These supports are not used alone; they’re combined with acupuncture and lifestyle guidance to help your body respond more effectively and sustainably.

Nutrition & Lifestyle Tips We Often Recommend for Hormonal Disorders in Women

Small daily habits can make a big difference when you’re navigating hormonal symptoms. We often suggest eating regular meals that include protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs to help keep blood sugar stable. This alone can ease many hormonal ups and downs.

Gentle movement, like walking or yoga, supports circulation and reduces stress, which can help regulate cycles. Prioritizing consistent sleep (around seven hours a night) gives your body time to restore and reset. We also encourage taking a few minutes each day to slow down, deep breathing, quiet time, or even sipping herbal tea can lower stress responses.

Tracking your cycle is another helpful tool. It gives both you and us a clearer picture of what’s going on and helps guide your care more effectively.

a woman getting acupucture for hormonal disorders in women

What to Expect with a Treatment Plan

At your first visit, we’ll take time to talk through your symptoms, health history, and menstrual cycle. If you’re dealing with a hormonal disorder, this helps us understand the full picture. From there, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan, often starting with weekly acupuncture sessions, along with optional herbal or lifestyle recommendations.

Most clients managing hormonal disorders in women begin to notice changes within six to eight sessions. When that happens, we reassess and may adjust your schedule, spacing out visits based on how your body responds. As symptoms improve, we shift into a maintenance phase with less frequent treatments to support long-term results.

Our goal is to offer real support, not just short-term symptom relief, but lasting changes that help you feel more in tune with your body every day.

Curious how team-based care can support your hormonal health? Read our blog on collaborative care.

Finding Real Support for Hormonal Disorders in Women

Hormonal disorders in women can be complex, but support doesn’t have to be. Acupuncture offers a gentle, effective way to ease symptoms and restore a sense of control over your health. Whether you’re dealing with irregular cycles, PCOS, endometriosis, or other hormonal conditions, we’re here to help you feel heard and supported every step of the way.

Ready to take the next step? Book a free consultation, reach out with your questions, or read what others have shared about their experience with our clinic.

References

  1. Stener-Victorin E, et al. Electro-acupuncture in anovulatory women with PCOS: increase of ovulatory cycles. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2000.

  2. Zhu X, et al. Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2019.

  3. Chen L, et al. Acupuncture for primary dysmenorrhea and adenomyosis: evidence from clinical studies. J Pain Res. 2020.

  4. Yu J, et al. Effects of acupuncture on the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis in women with menstrual disorders. Complement Ther Med. 2018.