PUNTOS de Salud is now R e n i a
Chinese Medicine for Premenstrual Syndrome: What TCM Can Offer
Chinese medicine for premenstrual syndrome: discover how Traditional Chinese Medicine views symptoms before menstruation and how treatment can be adapted to each woman in Palma.
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Salva Gianfreda
12/26/20244 min read
The days before your period can feel very different from the rest of your cycle.
Changes in mood, energy, sleep, appetite, digestion or physical comfort can become noticeable in the days leading up to menstruation.
For some women, these changes are mild and manageable.
For others, they can have a more noticeable impact on everyday life.
Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a different perspective on these recurring patterns and can be used as a complementary approach alongside appropriate healthcare.
What is premenstural syndrome?
Premenstrual syndrome, commonly known as PMS, refers to a group of physical and emotional symptoms that occur during the days or weeks before menstruation.
Symptoms can vary considerably from one woman to another and may include:
Mood changes
Irritability
Feeling more emotional
Breast tenderness
Bloating
Changes in appetite
Headaches
Fatigue
Changes in sleep
Menstrual discomfort
Difficulty concentrating
The timing and combination of symptoms can also change throughout different stages of life.
Keeping track of your symptoms across several cycles can be useful for identifying whether there is a recurring pattern.
When should you pay more attention to your symptoms?
Premenstrual changes are common, but symptoms should not simply be dismissed if they are significantly affecting your everyday life.
It may be worth discussing them with a qualified healthcare professional if:
Symptoms are severe or becoming increasingly difficult to manage
They interfere with work, relationships or daily activities
Your menstrual cycle changes significantly
You experience unusually heavy or prolonged bleeding
Pain is severe or new
Your symptoms are accompanied by other concerning changes
Some symptoms that occur before menstruation can also overlap with other menstrual or gynaecological conditions, so appropriate medical assessment is important when needed.
Why can PMS symptoms vary?
There is no single pattern that applies to every woman.
Hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle can influence how you feel, while sleep, stress, nutrition, physical activity and other aspects of daily life may also affect your experience.
The relationship between these factors can be complex.
This is one reason why a personalised approach can be more useful than assuming that every woman with PMS needs the same type of support.
PMS from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective
Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at the menstrual cycle as part of the wider functioning of the individual.
Rather than focusing only on one symptom, a TCM practitioner considers the overall pattern and how different aspects of your well-being may relate to one another.
A TCM assessment may consider:
The timing and nature of your symptoms
Your menstrual cycle
Sleep and energy
Digestion and appetite
Stress and emotional changes
Physical sensations
Lifestyle and daily habits
Your individual history
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses its own traditional framework to interpret these observations.
The aim is not to replace a medical diagnosis but to provide a different perspective that can help guide a personalised complementary approach.
Can acupuncture help with PMS?
Acupuncture has been studied for a range of menstrual and premenstrual symptoms.
Some research suggests that acupuncture may be helpful for certain symptoms, although the evidence is mixed and more research is needed to establish how effective it is for different presentations of PMS.
Individual experiences can also vary.
At Renia, acupuncture is not approached as a standard treatment that is automatically applied to every woman with PMS.
The approach begins with understanding your particular situation and then deciding whether acupuncture or another Traditional Chinese Medicine approach is appropriate.
A personalised approach
There is no single treatment that is right for every woman.
At Renia, the first session begins with time to understand your situation, your symptoms and how they affect your everyday life.
This is followed by an assessment from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Depending on your situation, treatment may incorporate different approaches such as:
Acupuncture
Chinese herbal medicine
Auriculotherapy
Moxibustion
Cupping or Gua Sha
Nutritional and lifestyle guidance
The approach can also change over time according to how your situation develops.
What can you do between periods?
Understanding your own cycle can be a useful starting point.
Consider keeping a simple record of:
When your symptoms begin
Which symptoms appear
How long they last
Changes in sleep
Changes in appetite or digestion
Energy levels
Mood changes
Menstrual flow and discomfort
You may also find it useful to maintain regular sleep, eat a varied diet, stay physically active and allow enough time for rest.
These are general lifestyle considerations rather than a specific treatment for PMS.
How many sessions do you need?
There is no fixed number of sessions that applies to everyone.
Your situation, the nature of your symptoms and how they change over time will influence the approach.
Your first session lasts 90 minutes and gives us time to understand your situation, carry out a Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment and begin treatment when appropriate.
Afterwards, we can discuss whether continuing treatment makes sense for you and what type of approach may be appropriate.
An approach that adapts to you
Your menstrual cycle can change throughout your life.
The symptoms you experience today may not be the same symptoms you experience in a few years.
For this reason, Traditional Chinese Medicine at Renia is approached as an individual process rather than a fixed protocol.
The treatment can be adapted according to your symptoms, your circumstances and how your situation evolves.
When to speak to a healthcare professional
Traditional Chinese Medicine can be used as a complementary approach, but it should not replace appropriate medical assessment.
Speak with a qualified healthcare professional if you have severe menstrual pain, very heavy bleeding, significant changes to your cycle, symptoms that are worsening or any other symptoms that concern you.
A medical assessment can help identify whether an underlying condition needs to be investigated.
Ready to get started?
Start with a 90-minute first session to understand your situation, carry out an assessment from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective and begin treatment when appropriate.
Notice
Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, moxibustion, auriculotherapy, cupping and nutritional guidance) is offered at Renia as complementary therapy, in accordance with Decree 55/2010 of the Government of the Balearic Islands and applicable Spanish legislation. These therapies do not replace diagnosis, treatment, prescription or follow-up by a qualified healthcare professional. The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute a diagnosis or an individual treatment recommendation vary.
VISIT
Gilabert de Centelles 19, 5th floor
07005 Palma
Monday - Saturday
By appointment only
CONTACTS
Renia ® 2026. All rights reserved.
Legal Notice | Privacy & Cookies Policy | Medical Disclaimer
"Renia offers traditional Chinese medicine as a complementary therapy. It does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your doctor for any health concern."