How Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Can Help Your Period and Fertility Return
By Belinda Schembri
Ahpra registered acupuncturist and Chinese herbal medicine practitioner
Throughout this blog I use the term ‘women’, though I recognise and respect that not all people who menstruate identify as women. You are warmly welcome here, whoever you are.
Coming off hormonal contraception, such as the pill, implant, or intrauterine device (IUD) can feel stressful, especially if you are planning a family, or you were on contraception because of painful, irregular, heavy periods, or acne.
For some women, regular healthy cycles and fertility will return within three months of ceasing contraception, while others can experience:
- Irregular or missed periods
- Spotting
- Painful or heavier bleeds
- Acne or skin changes
- PMS, mood shifts, or anxiety.
This does not mean that your body is broken; your body is finding its way back to natural rhythms.
Why does your period change after stopping contraception?
Hormonal contraception works by regulating or suppressing your natural cycle with synthetic estrogen and/or progesterone (the hormones responsible for the ebbs and flows of your menstrual cycle). It can prevent ovulation, reduce the thickness of your uterine lining (hello lighter periods), and thicken your cervical mucus to prevent pregnancy. Some also reduce the production of prostaglandins, which are responsible for painful uterine contractions.
When you stop using hormonal contraception, your body needs to re-establish processes that were previously outsourced, re-learning how to communicate effectively with your brain and ovaries.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the Liver governs the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body, regulating emotions and playing a central role in the menstrual cycle. Hormonal contraception can stagnate the movement of Liver Qi or result in Liver Blood deficiency; over time Liver Qi stagnation and Liver Blood deficiency affect the movement of Blood, resulting in Blood stagnation.
Symptoms of Liver Qi stagnation include:
- irregular periods
- spotting before or after the period
- dull painful periods
- PMS, irritability, depression, anxiety
- breast tenderness
- bloating
- stools that alternate between firm and loose (particularly during menstruation) or constipation
- headaches, especially before the period
Symptoms of Liver Blood deficiency include:
- irregular or missed periods
- very light periods that may only last for a few days
- poor sleep
- anxiety
- dizziness
- headaches
- restless legs
- blurry vision
- brittle nails
Symptoms of Blood stagnation include:
- irregular periods
- painful periods with dark, clotted blood
- heavy periods
- sharp, fixed abdominal pain during the period
- fibroids or endometriosis
How acupuncture and Chinese medicine can restore your cycle and fertility
While your body is intelligent and adaptable, it sometimes needs extra support to find its rhythm again.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help support your body after hormonal contraception use by helping to facilitate the generation and movement of Qi and Blood, and:
- encouraging and supporting regular ovulation
- improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus
- nourishing deficiencies or clearing inflammation; and
- calming the nervous system.
This is important not only for healthy cycles, but for your overall health and fertility as well.
Acupuncture can also reduce period pain, with studies suggesting it reduces the production of prostaglandins and increases endorphins in the body.
And for those concerned about their skin health, acupuncture and herbal medicine can help to:
- reduce excess oil production
- remove toxins and inflammation from the skin; and
- ensure the skin receives adequate oxygen, nutrients and collagen, helping you glow from the inside out.
What can you do now to have healthy periods and fertility?
If you are navigating this transition (or planning to), book a consult with me via the booking link here. You can also email me if you have any questions before doing so at bel@chinesemedicinemelbourne.com.au
In our first session, I will take the time to understand you as a whole person, your cycle, your symptoms, your energy, digestion, stress levels, sleep quality, overall health, and what your treatment goals are.
From there, I will tailor a treatment plan based on your unique presentation. A treatment plan may include regular acupuncture treatments, herbal medicine, and dietary and lifestyle recommendations (because what you do outside of the treatment room matters). I will also work with you to help you understand your menstrual cycle, and if wanting to have a baby, how to enhance your fertility.
Lifestyle tips to support your period and hormonal health
In the meantime, below are a few things you can start to include in your day to day, that can have a powerful impact on your menstrual health and fertility:
- Keep your lower abdomen and lower back warm, especially during your period and in cold weather
- Avoid cold or iced drinks, particularly in the days before and during your period
- Prioritise regular, moderate movement to keep your Qi moving, but avoid over-exercising which can deplete your resources and disrupt your cycle further
- Honour rest during your period- resting during the first one to two days of your period supports your overall health and allows Blood to flow freely
- Prioritise getting to bed before 11pm as late nights and poor sleep can disrupt your Liver’s ability to govern the flow of Qi throughout your body
- Be true to yourself and your feelings, expressing and processing your emotions through talking, journalling, or creative expression; this keeps your Qi and Blood flowing
- Reduce stress where possible (a hard one I know) or find practices such as mediation, yoga, breathwork, or time in nature, to help support your nervous system and your menstrual cycle
- Minimise exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, choosing natural cleaning products and skincare, and glass, stainless steel or ceramic over plastic.
- Incorporate dark leafy greens, protein, berries and beans into your diet
- Reduce or avoid excessive raw foods, refined sugar, alcohol and coffee
And most importantly, be patient and kind with yourself, in Chinese medicine it can take three menstrual cycles for your body to return to balance- with most women seeing meaningful changes in their cycle and fertility within three to six months of dedicated support.
With the right support, your body will not only find its natural rhythm again, but your overall health and vitality will improve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for your period to return after stopping hormonal contraception?
For most women, periods return within one to three months of stopping hormonal contraception. However, it is not uncommon for cycles to take up to six months to regulate, particularly after long-term use or after stopping the hormonal implant or injection. If your period has not returned after three months, it is worth speaking with your GP and booking a consult with me, as early support can make a meaningful difference.
Is it normal to have irregular periods after stopping the pill?
Yes, completely. Your body is re-learning how to produce and regulate its own hormones after a period of having that process managed externally. Irregular cycles, spotting, heavier or lighter bleeds, and changes in cycle length are all common in the months following hormonal contraception. This does not mean something is wrong — but it is a sign that your body could benefit from some extra support.
Can acupuncture help with irregular periods after stopping hormonal contraception?
Yes. Acupuncture is particularly effective at regulating the menstrual cycle by supporting ovulation, improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, and addressing the underlying imbalances, such as Liver Qi stagnation or Blood deficiency, that contribute to irregular cycles. Most women notice meaningful improvements within three cycles of regular treatment.
Can Chinese medicine help with post-pill acne?
Post-pill acne is one of the most distressing side effects women experience after stopping hormonal contraception, and it is something Chinese medicine addresses really well. Acupuncture and herbal medicine work to clear heat and inflammation from the skin, regulate hormones, and support the liver in processing excess androgens, which are often the underlying driver of hormonal acne. Dietary changes can also play a significant role.
I was on hormonal contraception for endometriosis or PCOS — will my symptoms come back when I stop?
This is one of the most common concerns I hear, and it is a valid one. Hormonal contraception manages the symptoms of conditions like endometriosis and PCOS without treating the underlying cause. This means that when you stop, those patterns may resurface. The good news is that Chinese medicine is well-suited to addressing the root imbalances behind both conditions, not just the symptoms. Starting acupuncture and herbal medicine before or at the time of stopping contraception, rather than waiting for symptoms to return, is the most effective approach.
How many acupuncture sessions will I need?
Everyone is different, and your treatment plan will be tailored to your unique presentation and goals. As a general guide, Chinese medicine works in cycles, both treatment cycles and menstrual cycles. Most women begin to notice changes within three menstrual cycles, with more significant shifts in their cycle, energy, and overall wellbeing occurring over three to six months of consistent support. We will reassess regularly and adjust your plan as your body responds.
Belinda Schembri
Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Practitoner
Belinda Schembri is based in Melbourne, Victoria.
She is passionate about women experiencing health in every phase of their cycle, their life, their healing, with a special interest in menstrual health and fertility.
Please find Belinda’s availability here
Follow on Instagram: @lunaacupuncture.au
