women's health & acupuncture, melbourne

Robert has over a decades experience in working with patients who have women's health related concerns. He is renowned in the inner north west for his knowledge and experience with in this area. He has good relationships with particular reproductive specialists, midwives, gynaecologists and obstetricians in Melbourne and believes in the integration of natural and conventional approaches.

Women can present with debilitating symptoms, from pain to hormone imbalances that can disturb the quality of life for those experiencing them. Robert has a particular interest in working with women who have been diagnosed with endometriosis, adenomyosis, period pain and PCOS.

There is ongoing research about how acupuncture and herbal medicine can assist with the management of certain women's health related symptoms and you should consult with your treating practitioner/s about how acupuncture and natural medicine may be able to assist you.

If you are interested in making an appointment with Robert or would like to know if acupuncture if appropriate for you, please feel free to contact Robert at the clinic on 03 9337 8572 or send him an email at robert@essendonnaturalhealth.com.au

References

Armour, M., Dahlen, H.G., Zhu, X., Farquhar, C. & Smith, C.A. (2017) The role of treatment timing and mode of stimulation in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea with acupuncture: An exploratory randomised controlled trial. PLOS ONE 12(7): e0180177. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180177

Cerqueira, R.O., Frey, B.N., Leclerc, E. & Brietzke, E. (2017). Vitex agnus castus for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a systematic review. Arch Womens Ment Health, 2017 Dec;20(6):713-719. doi: 10.1007/s00737-017-0791-0. Epub 2017 Oct 23.

Chien, T.J., Hsu, C.H., Liu, C.Y., & Fang, C.J. (2017). Effect of acupuncture on hot flush and menopause symptoms in breast cancer- A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE 12(8): e0180918. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180918

Chiu, H.Y., Pan, C.H., Shyu, Y.K., Han, B.C., & Tsai, P.S. (2015). Effects of acupuncture on menopause-related symptoms and quality of life in women on natural menopause: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Menopause, 22, (2), 234-44.  

Eun-Young, N., Ju-Yeon, P., Ji-Yeon, .L,Junyong, Jo. & Dong-Il, K. (2018). Traditional acupuncture for menopausal hot flashes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 17, 119-128.

Flower, A., Liu, JP., Chen, S., et al. (2009). Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: Art. No.: CD006568. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006568.pub2 

Flower, A., Wang, L.Q., Lewith, G., Liu, J.P. & Li, Q. (2015). Chinese herbal medicine for treating recurrent urinary tract infections in women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 6. Art. No.: CD010446. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010446.pub2.

Halzina, N.N.H., Pazudin, M.I., Nor Aliza, A.G., & Mohsin Sahil, S.J. (2005). Clinical study to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of Nona Roguy herbal formulation and gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH) in the treatment of uterine fibroids. International Medical Journal, 12, (4), 295-302. 

Jang, S.H., Kim, D.I., & Choi, M.S (2014). Effects and treatment methods of acupuncture and herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder: systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Jan 10;14:11. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-11.

Jin, Y.B., Sun, Z.L., & Jin, H.F. (2009). Randomised controlled study of ear-electroacupuncture treatment of endometriosis induced dysmenorrhea in patients. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu, 34 (3), 188-192. 

Kamel, H.H. (2013). Role of phyto-oestrogens in ovulation induction in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology, 186, 60-63. 

Lethaby, A., Marjoribanks, J., Kronenberg, F., Roberts, H., Eden, J. & Brown, J. (2013). Phytoestrogens for menopausal vasomotor symptoms. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD001395. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001395.pub4

Lim, C., Ng, R.W.C., Xu, K., Cheng, N., Xue, C.C.L., Liu, J., & Chen, N. (2016). Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD007689. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007689.pub3

Liu, J.P., Yang, H., Xia, Y. & Cardini, F. (2013). Herbal preparations for uterine fibroids. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD005292. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005292.pub3

Monastra, G., Unifer, V., Harrath, A.H. & Bizzarri, M. (2017). Combining treatment with Myo-inositol and D Chiro-Inositol (40:1) is effective in restoring ovary function and metabolic balance in PCOS patients. Gynecol Endocrinol, Jan;33(1):1-9. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2016.1247797. Epub 2016 Nov 29.

Rafieian-Kopaei, M. & Movahedi, M. (2017). Systematic Review of Premenstrual, Postmenstrual and Infertility Disorders of Vitex Agnus Castus. Electron Physician. 2017 Jan 25;9(1):3685-3689. doi: 10.19082/3685. eCollection 2017 Jan.

Roshdy, E., Rajaratnam, V., Maitra, S., Sabry, M., Ait Allah, A.S., & Al-Hendy, A. (2013). Treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids with green tea extract: a pilot randomised controlled clinical study. International Journal of Women's Health, 5, 477-486. 

Smith, C.A., Armour, M., Zhu, X., Li, X., Lu, Z. & Song, J. (2016). Acupuncture for dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD007854. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007854.pub3

Stener-Victorin, E., Waldenström, U., Tagbfors, U., et al. (2000). Effects of electro-acupuncture on anovulation in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 79, (3) 180-188. 

Tu, X., Huang, G., & Tan, S. (2009). Chinese herbal medicine for dysfunctional uterine bleeding: a meta-analysis. Evidence Based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM, 6, (1), 99-105. 

Unfer, V., Facchinett,i F., Orrù, B., Giordani, B. & Nestler, J. (2017). Myo-inositol effects in women with PCOS: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Endocrine Connections, 6(8):647-658. doi:10.1530/EC-17-0243.

Ushiroyama, T., Ikeda, A., Sakai, M., Hosotani, T., Suzuki, Y., Tsubokura, S. & Ueki, M. (2001). Effects of Unkei-to, a herbal medicine, on endocrine function and ovulation in women with high basal levels of LH secretion. Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 46 (5), 451-456. 

Vickers, A.J., Cronin, A.M., Maschino, A.C., Lewith, G., MacPherson, H., Foster, N.E., Sherman, K.J., Witt, C.M., & Linde, K. (2012). Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis. Archives of Internal Medicine, 172, (19), 1444-1453. 

Wayne, P.M., Kerr, C.E., Schnyer, R.N., Legedza, A.T., et al. (2008). Japanese style acupuncture for endometriosis related pelvic pain in adolescents and young women: results of a randomised sham-controlled trial. Journal of Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology, 21, (5), 247-257. 

Xu, Y., Zhao, W., Li, T., Zhao, Y., Bu, H. & Song S. (2017) Effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE 12(10): e0186616. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186616

Zhang, Y., Peng, W., Clarke, J. & Zhishun, L. (2010). Acupuncture for uterine fibroids. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD007221. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007221.pub2

Zhou, K., Zhang, J., Xu, L., Wu, T. & Lim, C. (2016). Chinese herbal medicine for subfertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD007535. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007535.pub3

Zhu, X., Liew, Y. & Liu, Z. (2016). Chinese herbal medicine for menopausal symptoms. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD009023. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009023.pub2

Zhu, X., Hamilton, K.D. & McNicol, E.D. (2011). Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD007864. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007864.pub2

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