TCM for women's health: How acupressure can support the cycle

Cycle complaints are widespread, and often dismissed with ibuprofen and “you just have to live with it”. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) understands the cycle as an expression of a complex energetic interplay and offers concrete approaches to complaints that conventional medicine doesn’t always address well. Acupressure is a gentle option here, for self-application and in professional treatment.

What TCM sees differently from Western medicine

In Western understanding, the cycle is a hormonal process between hypothalamus, pituitary, ovaries, and uterus. Complaints are often treated symptomatically, painkillers, contraceptive pill, and for more serious problems, hormone therapy.

TCM looks at functional circuits and their harmony. Particularly relevant for the cycle:

• Liver: responsible for the free flow of Qi. Liver Qi stagnation manifests as PMS, breast tension, irritability
• Spleen: nutrient supply and blood formation. Spleen weakness shows in easy fatigability, weak or irregular periods
• Kidney: foundation of reproductive energy. Kidney weakness plays a role in fertility, early cycle cessation, and menopausal complaints
• Xue (Blood) and Qi: with blood or Qi deficiency or stagnation, different complaint patterns arise

This is not a contradiction to Western physiology, it’s a different ordering system that looks at patterns and functions instead of individual hormones.

Typical cycle complaints and TCM patterns

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Symptoms: irritability, breast tension, headaches, feeling of bloatedness, mood swings in the days before the period.

TCM pattern: mostly Liver Qi stagnation, sometimes combined with blood heat or spleen weakness.

Approach: move Liver Qi, relax, nourish kidney Yin.

Dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pain)

Symptoms: cramping or dull lower abdominal pain, often on the first to second day of bleeding.

TCM pattern: – Cold stagnation in the uterus (pain with cold feeling, improvement with warmth) – Qi and blood stagnation (stabbing, dark bleeding with clots) – Blood deficiency (dull pain after the period, pale bleeding)

Approach: depending on the pattern, warm, move Qi, or nourish blood.

Irregular cycle

Symptoms: varying cycle lengths, late or early period.

TCM pattern: often a combination of Liver Qi stagnation and kidney weakness.

Important: with significant irregularities over several months, medical evaluation (exclude thyroid, PCOS, other hormonal causes).

Menopausal complaints

Symptoms: hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood swings.

TCM pattern: kidney Yin deficiency with rising liver heat.

Approach: nourish Yin, calm the liver.

The key acupressure points for cycle complaints

SP6 (Sanyinjiao, “Three Yin Crossing”)

Location: inside of the lower leg, 4 finger-widths above the inner ankle, directly behind the tibia.

Effect: harmonises spleen, liver, kidneys. Classical point for almost all cycle complaints. Stimulates pelvic circulation.

Important: strictly avoid during pregnancy, considered labour-inducing.

LV3 (Taichong)

Location: top of the foot, in the depression between the big toe and second toe, about two finger-widths upwards.

Effect: move Liver Qi, release stagnation. Helpful with PMS, irritability, breast tension.

CV4 (Guanyuan, “Source Gate”)

Location: below the navel, about four finger-widths.

Effect: nourishes kidney Yang and blood. For cold stagnation and lower abdominal pain. Best with a warm hand or warm compress.

BL32 (Ciliao)

Location: in the sacrum area, second sacral foramen.

Effect: for menstrual pain, classical point for the pelvic region.

Important: avoid during pregnancy, considered labour-inducing.

LI4 (Hegu)

Location: back of the hand, between thumb and index finger.

Effect: general pain relief.

Important: avoid during pregnancy.

Acupressure protocol for menstrual pain

On the first day of the period, as pain begins:

1. SP6 both sides, 2 minutes firm thumb pressure
2. LV3 both sides, 1 minute pressure with circular movements
3. CV4, hold with warm palm for 2 minutes, breathing into the lower abdomen
4. Warm compress (hot water bottle) on the lower abdomen
5. Drink ginger tea (particularly pleasant for cold stagnation)

Don’t immediately reach for the pain pill, often pain can be significantly reduced with 10 to 15 minutes of targeted self-application. If still needed: painkillers are not failure, but a legitimate option.

What acupressure can deliver for cycle complaints

Achievable: – Relief of menstrual pain – Reduction of premenstrual symptoms – Better regulation with slightly irregular cycle (stress-triggered) – Support with menopausal complaints – Deeper relaxation and better self-awareness

Not achievable: – Replacement for medical diagnostics with strong or atypical complaints – Cure of organically caused issues (endometriosis, fibroids, polyps) – Replacement for hormone therapy in clearly indicated cases

When to see a doctor

Cycle complaints definitely need gynaecological evaluation when:

• Strong, newly occurring pains persist
• Very heavy bleeding occurs (soaked tampons/pads after 2 hours)
• Cycle bleeding beyond 7 days
• Bleeding between periods occurs
• Period missing for more than 3 months (outside pregnancy)
• Endometriosis suspicion: cycle-dependent pain, pain during sex, unfulfilled wish for children

Particularly important: acupressure can be supportive with endometriosis, but endometriosis should be diagnosed and possibly surgically or medically treated, that’s not an exclusively complementary medicine matter.

Fertility and TCM

With unfulfilled wish for children, acupressure/acupuncture is often used as a supportive measure, particularly combined with reproductive medicine care. The evidence is mixed, but many couples report positive experience and reduced stress. With serious fertility wishes, always get gynaecological evaluation in parallel.

Regularity pays off

Individual acupressure sessions for acute complaints are helpful. For lasting regulation of the cycle, however, regular sessions over several cycles are sensible:

• Entry: 1 session per week over 4 to 6 weeks
• Then: 1 session every 2 to 3 weeks, cycle-timed
• Maintenance: monthly treatment

The body doesn’t regulate itself in one session, it needs time to adjust patterns.

Pricing

Acupressure 60 min.: CHF 140 Acupressure 90 min.: CHF 190 EMR-certified · reimbursement receipt (tariff 590) included

To menstrual treatment · Book appointment · WhatsApp consultation

Also of interest: Pregnancy massage in sensitive phases

Sources

• Witt CM, et al. Acupuncture in patients with dysmenorrhea: a randomized study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008;198(2):166.e1-8.
• Maciocia G. Obstetrics and Gynecology in Chinese Medicine. 2nd edition, Elsevier, 2011.

Individual results may vary. This content does not replace medical advice. For strong or newly occurring complaints, always get gynaecological evaluation first.

Frequently asked questions

Can acupressure help with endometriosis?

Supportively yes, for pain, stress, and quality of life. As sole therapy, acupressure is not sufficient for endometriosis. Endometriosis should be diagnosed gynaecologically and possibly treated with medication or surgery.

Which acupressure points are taboo during pregnancy?

The classical labour-inducing points: SP6, LI4, BL32, BL60, and GB21. These are deliberately avoided in pregnancy massage.

How long should I test acupressure for cycle complaints?

At least 2 to 3 cycles (i.e. 2 to 3 months) with regular sessions. The cycle doesn’t regulate itself in one session, the body needs time to adjust patterns.

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