Acupuncture – A Happy Ending
I was watching Oprah today and one of the topics was acupuncture. It reminded me of my experience with it.
About 15 years ago, my periods became very irregular. I went to my gynecologist and was diagnosed with poly-cystic ovarian disease. My gynecologist said the only treatment he had available was birth control pills to regulate my cycle. He said it was important to do so in order to reduce the risk for cancer.
I really don’t like the side effects of birth control pills. I am one of those women who get worse PMS when on the pill. I was also in my mid-30’s and I smoked. I know, I needed to quit smoking, but I was still in my mid-30’s.
I had a friend who was training to be an acupuncturist. Although she was not yet qualified to treat anyone, she knew where to send me. Even though I am highly phobic of needles, I was more willing to try them than birth control pills. My gynecologist agreed that it was worth a try.
I received about 8 treatments from this acupuncturist. After each visit, I was given herbs and instructed to make an infusion (tea) that I was to drink each day. The acupuncturist told me that I may need a “tune-up” once a year or so.
My cycle was regulated! Indeed for a year, I did not miss a single period. Then, I began to be a bit late and I went back for that “tune-up” (no herbs this time) and have not had to go back since. My cycle remains regular. Of course, I am looking forward to menopause so I can be done with it entirely, but naturally.
There were no side effects to the acupuncture treatment. I never had to go on birth control pills and I lost 20 pounds! (The acupuncturist said it was because my “fire” element was too strong and my body had been compensating by retaining fluids in the form of cysts and fat. Go figure.) It was amazing. I did not even mind the needles too much. My gynecologist was thrilled with the results as well.
On a side note: My gynecologist wanted to regulate my periods because he said that irregular periods increased the risk for cancer. Now, I see ads for pills to reduce the number of periods a woman has every year…???
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About Me
My most treasured value is my freedom. It is one I have been willing to die for. Without freedom, my life is not my own. Why should I live a life not my own?
I served 6 years active duty in the U.S. Army. I served between two wars – Vietnam and Desert Storm.
I have spent most of my life seeking truth. I am still looking and suspect I always will be…
I have a vision of this blog being a place where I can explore the “Devil’s Advocate” position on various topics and share my opinions (and where I get them). My hope is to help myself and others to develop skill in critical thinking.
I am not a scholar. If you are looking for scholarly debates and dissertations, please look elsewhere. I am merely a middle-aged woman on a quest. If you are interested in following my thinking, welcome.
Sometimes I make mistakes. I even make dumb ones at times. So, if you catch me in one, please do point it out. That is how I learn. If you find yourself with an opinion different from mine, by all means, tell me about it and explain why you think the way you do. That way, we can all learn.
In the interest of making fewer mistakes, Logic and Fallacies – Constructing a Logical Argument is a great resource.
It may take me awhile to find my voice, but this is a journey, right?
I’m all for natural/homeopathic remedies. I had a similar situation when I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome…only the doctors had nothing they could do for me at all. I went to a homeopath, and now I have very few symtpoms.
However, on the period note, I dont see anything wrong with missing periods due to your birth control. The bc I’m on prevents me from having most of my periods, and my doctor says not to worry about it. The explanation I’ve heard is that women back in the day were pregnant so often that they actually rarely had periods. This means that women today are actually having an unnatural number of periods, and being on a bc that takes them away is like artificially simulating a pregnancy to your body, which is healthy. At least, that’s how I understood it. Anyway, so much is supposed to cause cancer nowadays anyway that I’d just assume take the risk by not having that annoying, wholly unnatural feeling bleeding thing once a month.
Interesting. Thank you for expanding on the issue of limiting periods w/bc pills. It is something I don’t really know much about – I had a tubal ligation many years ago and therefore have not had to be on bc pills. So, I have not had a need to stay current on that research. I was just confused because my gynecologist had emphasized so emphatically that I should not be missing periods. It seemed in conflict with current practice.
I typically reach for alternatives (herbal, homeopathic, etc) first when I have a medical problem. I experience far fewer side effects with them. Then, if I am unable to resolve the problem, I go see a doctor. As a result, I rarely see a doctor – once in the last 10 years! So many problems can be solved with proper eating and good stress management techniques…
Can’t say I’m an expert on gynecologist issues – !! – but I’ve heard some extremely positive things about accupuncture recently. My mother felt a lot of relief in regards to back pain after only one visit, and another friend found it helped his anxiety.
I’m glad it worked for you. If I were braver I might have even tried it myself.
Best Wishes,
Zathyn