If you’ve ever felt like a different version of yourself in the days or weeks before your period—more anxious, irritable, sad, or physically uncomfortable—you’re not alone.
Maybe you’ve been told “it’s just PMS,” or offered birth control without a real conversation about what’s actually going on in your body.
But if your symptoms feel overwhelming or start to interfere with your relationships, work, or emotional well-being, it could be more than PMS. You might be navigating PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)—a more severe, often misunderstood form of premenstrual distress.
At Be + Well Acupuncture in Encinitas, we support people just like you every day—those who are seeking a more natural, compassionate approach to hormone and cycle health. Whether you’re dealing with PMS or PMDD, acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help bring you back into balance, gently and holistically.
What’s the Difference Between PMS and PMDD?
Both PMS and PMDD show up in the luteal phase—the 1–2 weeks before your period.
PMS is more common and includes symptoms like:
- Mood swings
- Bloating
- Cramps
- Breast tenderness
- Fatigue
PMDD, however, is more intense. It’s a clinical mood disorder that can include:
- Severe depression or anxiety
- Rage or intense irritability
- Insomnia
- Panic attacks
- Feeling out of control or hopeless
If you find yourself dreading this part of your cycle, please know—it’s not just in your head. And you don’t have to suffer silently.
A Chinese Medicine Perspective: When Qi Gets Stuck
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we often look beyond hormones and zoom out to the bigger picture—your emotions, digestion, sleep, stress, and cycle patterns. One common root cause we see in PMS and PMDD is Liver Qi stagnation.
When the Liver system is out of balance—often due to stress, overwork, or emotional buildup—Qi (your vital energy) doesn’t flow freely. And when Qi gets stuck, so do your emotions and your cycle.
Symptoms of Liver Qi stagnation might include:
- Irritability or mood swings
- PMS-related cramps
- Breast tenderness
- Bloating
- Headaches before your period
Sometimes this stagnation turns into Liver Heat or Liver Fire, which shows up more often in PMDD and may include rage, insomnia, or chest tension.
What Acupuncture Treatment Looks Like
Your first visit at our Encinitas acupuncture clinic starts with a conversation—we want to hear your story. From there, we develop a treatment plan that’s as unique as you are.
A typical plan includes:
- Weekly acupuncture sessions for 8–12 weeks
- Cycle tracking to understand your hormonal rhythm
- Customized acupuncture points to support your Liver, calm your nervous system, and ease symptoms
- Optional herbal medicine and lifestyle guidance
You might notice you feel lighter, more grounded, and more emotionally resilient after just a few sessions. Over time, we aim to soften the sharp edges of your cycle—so you can move through each month with more ease.
Herbal Medicine: More Than Just a Supplement
One of the most trusted formulas for PMS and PMDD in Chinese medicine is Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, sometimes translated as “Free and Easy Wanderer Plus.” It’s been used for centuries to soothe irritability, breast tenderness, bloating, and mood changes before menstruation.
But here’s the thing—herbs in TCM are not one-size-fits-all.
You may benefit from a completely different formula based on your body’s unique needs. That’s why we always do a thorough diagnosis before prescribing anything. Your story matters here.
What About Turmeric and Saffron?
We love weaving modern botanical research into our practice when appropriate. Two herbs that show up in the science for PMS and PMDD are:
Turmeric (Curcumin)
Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric has been shown to reduce PMS-related mood and physical symptoms in clinical trials. (PMID: 26051565)
Saffron
Saffron may help regulate mood and reduce PMDD symptoms like anxiety, sadness, and irritability. It’s been studied for its antidepressant effects with minimal side effects. (PMC7792881)
We can guide you on how to integrate these safely alongside acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
You Deserve to Feel Like You Again
So many of our patients come to us feeling like they’re riding a hormonal roller coaster each month—exhausted, misunderstood, and unsure where to turn.
We want you to know: there is support. And there is hope.
At Be + Well Acupuncture in Encinitas, we offer a deeply holistic, individualized approach to hormone and emotional wellness. Whether you’re struggling with PMS, PMDD, or cycle-related anxiety, we’re here to help you reconnect with balance.
Ready to Get Started?
📍 Serving Encinitas, Carlsbad, Solana Beach, Cardiff, and surrounding North County San Diego
💻 Learn more or book your first visit at bewellencinitas.com
📞 Or call our front desk: (760) 753-6090
Sources
- Khayat, S. et al. (2015). Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 23(3), 318–324. PMID: 26051565
- Rajabi, F. et al. (2020). Saffron for the Management of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Advanced Biomedical Research, 9, 14. PMC7792881
- Kim, S. Y. et al. (2014). Effects and treatment methods of acupuncture and herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder: Systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med, 14:11. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-11
