Acupuncture for PMDD in Phoenix, AZ
PMDD isn’t bad PMS. For the week or two before your period, it can take your mood, your patience and your sense of yourself, and then lift once bleeding starts, leaving you to explain a version of yourself you don’t recognise. Many women are told it’s just hormones, or handed an antidepressant with no further conversation.
We use acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and nutrition support to work on the patterns underneath: how your body handles the shift after ovulation, your nervous system, your sleep and your energy.
Care is led by Rebecca Burrous, DCM, L.Ac., Dipl. OM, a Doctor of Chinese Medicine with 15 years of experience in women’s health. We work alongside your doctor or therapist, not instead of them.
Symptoms We See
Feelings of sudden sadness or despair
Tension or anxiety
Panic attacks
Mood swings or crying at every little thing
Lack of interest in daily activities and relationships
Trouble thinking or focusing
Tiredness or low energy
Food cravings or binge eating
Trouble sleeping
Feeling out of control
Physical symptoms such as cramps, bloating
Breast tenderness, headaches, and joint or muscle pain
How Treatment Works
Your initial consultation covers your health history, your cycle pattern and how your symptoms track across the month, and you’ll leave with a treatment plan.
Because PMDD follows your cycle, we track progress by cycles rather than weeks. Many patients notice a change within one to three cycles, often in sleep or the intensity of the premenstrual days.
Most women feel a sense of peace return within a single session. That relief is real, and it’s also temporary at first. What changes PMDD over the longer term is repetition, treatment after treatment, cycle after cycle, until your body holds the shift on its own.
We’ll give you a realistic timeline at your first visit, based on your symptoms and how long you’ve had them.
Common Questions
Does the acupuncture hurt? – Our Licensed Acupuncturists use extremely thin needles and take great care to ensure your comfort. We never rush the process and will take the time to help you feel relaxed and at ease throughout your treatment.
Can I keep taking my medication? Yes. Many of our patients see us alongside an SSRI or other prescribed treatment. Never stop or change medication without talking to your prescriber.
How long does it take to see results?
Most women feel calmer during and after their first treatment. Lasting change comes with repetition, as each cycle builds on the last.
Can Chinese medicine help with PMDD? For many women, yes. Research on acupuncture for PMS and PMDD is still limited, and we won’t pretend otherwise. What we see clinically is that treatment often reduces how intense the premenstrual days feel, and helps with sleep and physical symptoms.
