Free and Easy: TCM and Its Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome

Mood swings. Fatigue. Lousy sleep. Night sweats. Bloating. Painful breasts. Crazy food cravings. What day of the month is it?

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a collection of symptoms a woman can experience anywhere from 2 to 14 days before her period. Symptoms can include any or all of the above, plus acne, irritability and hypersensitivity, and stool changes, and the intensity ranges from slight to severe. Hormonal imbalances are real and can be very disruptive to a woman’s day. Luckily there is Traditional Chinese Medicine!

A very common diagnosis in TCM for PMS is Liver Qi Stagnation. The Liver in TCM is responsible for moving the body’s qi, and when that energy of the body is stuck or stagnated, women can experience typical PMS symptoms, plus cramping and clotty menstrual flow. At Selby Acupuncture, we typically advise a 12-week course of treatment, which can consist of an acupuncture treatment once per week, supplements once per day, and herbs twice per day.

One of our favorite formulas to address Liver Qi Stagnation is Xiao Yao San or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, which translates as Free and Easy Wanderer’s Formula. It is highly effective, and most patients are feeling free and easy within one month of consistent dosing. Women may even experience a symptom-free menstrual cycle! They often report, “My period surprised me! I had no PMS symptoms to warn me!”

If you are experiencing PMS symptoms that are disruptive to your life, stop in to Selby Acupuncture, where we tailor the treatment to you. You deserve to feel free and easy!

[written by Kennedy]