Acupuncture + Integrative Women's Health · San Francisco, CA
Do you live with PMDD?
There is a path through — and it starts here.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is real, it is not "just hormones," and you deserve more than being told to wait it out. We treat the why behind your PMDD — naturally, thoroughly, and with deep respect for your body's intelligence.
Our philosophy
We work with you exactly where you are — welcoming an integrative approach alongside Western medicine, or treating your PMDD with 100% natural, time-tested techniques.
The goal is to return you to yourself — the version of you that exists outside of those 7–10 days of dread. In many cases, patients experience meaningful relief from mood dysregulation, pain, fatigue, and anxiety, and can reduce their reliance on medication as their bodies come back into balance.
Our approach can help with all the ways PMDD shows up in your life, including:
Severe mood swings
Irritability & rage
Anxiety & panic
Depression & despair
Feeling out of control
Brain fog & poor concentration
Insomnia & disrupted sleep
Debilitating fatigue
Food cravings & appetite changes
Bloating & fluid retention
Breast tenderness
Pelvic pain & cramping
Headaches & migraines
Sensitivity to light & sound
Social withdrawal & isolation
Why our approach works
Natural PMDD treatment that goes deeper than symptom management
We treat the root, not just the cycle
PMDD isn't a character flaw or a mystery — it's a signal from your body that something deeper needs attention. We look at your hormonal patterns, liver qi, nervous system regulation, and overall constitution to understand why your luteal phase feels like a storm.
We use a proven system centuries in the making
East Asian medicine has been treating menstrual and hormonal disorders for thousands of years. The framework is sophisticated, specific, and elegant — and it works beautifully alongside modern integrative care. You don't have to choose between ancient wisdom and current science.
We keep it simple and sustainable
Healing doesn't have to be overwhelming. We identify the clearest, most targeted treatments for your specific PMDD pattern and build from there — acupuncture, herbal medicine, and gentle, realistic lifestyle shifts that work with your life, not against it.
We remind your body how to regulate itself
Your body is not broken. It's working hard — harder than it needs to. Acupuncture helps reset the signals that are driving the dysregulation, so your hormones, nervous system, and emotions can find a calmer, more stable rhythm over time.
We focus on how you feel, not just your labs
Blood work is useful, but it doesn't capture the full picture of how you're living. Our marker for progress is simple: Are you having more good days? Are you recognizing yourself again? Are you able to show up for the people and things you love? That's what we're working toward.
We see the whole person, every time
Your PMDD doesn't exist in isolation. Sleep, stress, digestion, emotional history, and life season all play a role. We honor that complexity — and we meet you there. Every visit is a conversation as much as a treatment.
The commitment that changes everything
A Season of Care: Your 12-Session Treatment Plan
Healing a hormonal pattern that has built up over years doesn't happen in one visit — and it shouldn't have to. A Season of Care is our 12-session framework designed to give your body the time, consistency, and support it needs to genuinely shift. Think of it like tending a garden: you don't plant seeds and expect roses overnight. You show up. You tend. And in time, things bloom.
Most patients begin to feel meaningful improvements within the first 2–3 cycles, with sustained, lasting change emerging across the full season.
How it works
The process is clear, caring, and completely guided
Step One
Detailed Assessment & Personalized Treatment Plan
If we both feel it's a good match, your next visit is your Intake Appointment. Here, we do a thorough assessment of your cycle history, hormonal patterns, emotional landscape, constitution, and contributing factors — building a clear picture of the root cause of your PMDD. You'll then receive your first acupuncture treatment and a personalized plan that may include:
Weekly acupuncture sessions
Custom herbal medicine formulas
Dietary and lifestyle recommendations
Cycle charting and body literacy guidance
Step Two
Treatment & Symptom Resolution
You'll come in weekly so we can offer close support as your body begins establishing a new pattern. Signs we're moving in the right direction include:
Fewer days of severe mood symptoms
More emotional steadiness in the luteal phase
Improved sleep quality and energy
Reduced pain, cramping, and bloating
A sense of coming home to yourself
Step Three
Transitional Care as Improvements Hold
Once we see consistent improvements holding cycle to cycle — usually around sessions 8 to 12 — we begin spacing visits further apart. We move from weekly sessions to every two weeks, then monthly, then as-needed tune-ups. We remain a resource for you as your life, cycle, and health evolve over time.
Step Four
Ongoing Wellness & Community
Many of our patients become part of a longer wellness relationship — returning seasonally or when new health questions arise. We are honored that the majority of our new patients come through referrals from people whose lives genuinely changed through this work. It is the greatest privilege of this practice.
Common questions
Answers to what our patients ask most
Can acupuncture really help with PMDD?
Yes. Acupuncture has been shown to support hormonal regulation, nervous system balance, and emotional resilience — all of which play a central role in PMDD. Many patients experience meaningful improvements in mood, sleep, pain, and cycle regularity over the course of a 12-session Season of Care.
How many sessions does it take to treat PMDD?
We recommend a 12-session Season of Care for lasting hormonal change. Most patients begin to feel meaningful improvement within the first 2–3 menstrual cycles, with sustained results building across the full treatment season.
Can I do acupuncture alongside my current PMDD medication?
Acupuncture integrates well with most medical treatments. We welcome an integrative approach and will coordinate with your existing care. Always consult your prescribing physician before making any changes to your medications.
Ready to begin?
You deserve a cycle that doesn't steal weeks of your life.
Your initial consultation is free. Come meet us, ask every question, and let's find out together whether a Season of Care is your next right step.
* Legal Disclaimer: Individual results may vary. There is no guarantee of specific results, expressed or implied, and individual outcomes depend on many factors including the severity and duration of your condition, your overall health, and your consistency with the treatment plan. Abalone Acupuncture is a wellness clinic of Licensed Acupuncturists providing guidance and treatment within the legal scope of practice as regulated by the California Acupuncture Board. Our services are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician. We do not diagnose medical conditions. Please consult your physician before beginning any new health program, especially if you have an existing medical condition or are currently taking prescription medications.