How to Regulate Your Menstrual Cycle Naturally with Acupuncture
Menstrual health is a key part of overall wellbeing.
But what does it actually mean to have a “regular period”? A regular menstrual cycle isn’t only about knowing when your period will arrive, it reflects the balance of your hormones, the strength of your energy reserves, and the health of your reproductive system.
Understanding and supporting cycle regulation can improve fertility, boost energy, and help manage conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, or PMDD.
What can cause an irregular menstrual cycle?
There are many reasons periods can become irregular, including:
Stress and emotional health – chronic stress can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, delaying ovulation.
Diet and nutrition – restrictive eating, low iron or B-vitamin intake, or unstable blood sugar can affect hormone production.
Exercise – both over-exercising and under-exercising can contribute to irregular or missed periods.
Medical conditions – thyroid disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and fibroids commonly cause irregular cycles.
Contraceptives and medications – some birth control methods and certain medications can alter cycle length or flow.
Life stages – adolescence, post-partum recovery, and peri-menopause are all times when irregular cycles are expected.
Symptoms of an irregular period
Not all irregularities look the same. Signs your cycle may be out of balance include:
Periods that are consistently too early, too late, or unpredictable
Heavy bleeding or very light periods
Painful cramps, clotting, or spotting between periods
Severe mood swings, anxiety, or fatigue around menstruation
Cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
How to track your menstrual cycle
Cycle tracking can help you spot patterns and understand your unique rhythm. Methods include:
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charting – daily temperature checks to track ovulation.
Period tracking apps – digital tools for monitoring length, flow, and symptoms.
Symptom journaling – noting changes in mood, sleep, digestion, or energy.
Cervical mucus monitoring – a natural fertility sign that reflects hormonal shifts.
Why cycle regulation matters
An irregular cycle can impact more than menstruation—it can affect your whole body. Cycle irregularity may contribute to:
Reduced fertility – if ovulation is unpredictable or absent.
Hormonal imbalances – disrupted oestrogen and progesterone can cause fatigue, insomnia, and anxiety.
Chronic conditions – irregular cycles are common in PMDD, PCOS, and endometriosis.
Long-term health risks – ongoing irregular cycles may affect bone density, cardiovascular health, and metabolism.
Chinese medicine and the menstrual cycle
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a healthy cycle reflects the smooth flow of Qi and Blood and the balance of Yin and Yang. Irregular periods are seen as a sign of imbalance, which can take different forms:
Qi stagnation – painful, irregular, or clotted periods.
Blood deficiency – light or delayed periods, fatigue, dizziness.
Kidney Yin or Yang imbalance – irregular ovulation, low fertility, or changes in cycle length.
Chinese medicine also sees the cycle in four phases—like the seasons—each requiring different nourishment and care. Treatments such as acupuncture, dietary therapy, and moxibustion are aimed at restoring harmony, improving blood flow, and supporting the body’s natural rhythm.
How I can help
I work with people experiencing menstrual irregularities, fertility challenges, PCOS, endometriosis, and PMDD. My approach combines acupuncture, lifestyle guidance, and other therapies to help regulate cycles naturally. Treatment is tailored to the individual, considering not just symptoms but the whole picture of health.
If you’re curious about how acupuncture and Chinese medicine might support your cycle, feel free to reach out - I’d be glad to discuss your options.
