HORMONES & WOMEN'S HEALTH
Acupuncture for Hormones & Women's Health in Colorado Springs
Cramps that take out a day or two every month. Hot flashes in the middle of a meeting. Lying awake at 3 a.m., wondering who replaced your patience. Your symptoms are real, and you deserve care that takes them seriously and helps you feel more like yourself again.
New Patients: $110 · Includes consultation & treatment
What would your days be like if your hormones weren't running the show?
Maybe you'd stop planning your month around your cycle. Sleep through the night without kicking off the covers. Feel even-keeled with your family and clear-headed at work.
Whether you're dealing with painful periods, trying to conceive, or moving through perimenopause and menopause, I want to understand what this season of life has been like for you.
“Dawna Ara has given me my life back! I went to Dawna because for two years I'd been feeling rundown, exhausted, fuzzy headed, and was unable to fall asleep… Now, after three months I have so much energy… and I feel like my old self again.”
~ PAMELA H., GOOGLE
Do any of these sound familiar?
Painful periods and cramping
PMS: mood swings, bloating, cravings
Irregular, heavy, or missing cycles
Hot flashes and night sweats
New anxiety, low mood, or poor sleep in perimenopause
Headaches that follow your cycle
Trying to conceive, on your own or alongside fertility care
Postpartum depletion, fatigue, and brain fog
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Why Hormones Are a Whole-Body Issue
Hormones are connected to nearly everything else your body does. A few things can make symptoms worse:
Stress. Ongoing stress can disrupt cycles and intensify menopause symptoms.
Thyroid and blood sugar. Subtle shifts can affect cycles, mood, and energy.
Digestion. Your gut and liver help your body process and clear hormones.
Sleep and nutrition. Poor sleep and low iron or magnesium can make symptoms harder to manage.
That’s why I ask about more than your cycle. In Chinese medicine, your unique pattern guides your treatment.
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How Acupuncture May Help
Acupuncture doesn't replace hormones, but it may help with the symptoms that come with hormonal changes, like hot flashes, period pain, PMS, mood swings, and restless nights. It may also support you through fertility care by easing stress and improving sleep.
Treatment is often timed to where you are in your cycle. When it fits your needs, I add warming moxibustion, cupping, herbs, and nutrition guidance to support you between visits.
Research note: In a 2016 trial of 209 women aged 45 to 60, hot flashes and night sweats dropped about 37% over six months of acupuncture, while they rose slightly in women who hadn't started treatment yet. Most of the benefit was still there six months after treatment ended.
What Your Visit Looks Like
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1
Time to Talk
Your visits are never rushed. We'll have time to talk through your history and goals before treatment, including your cycle, your life stage, sleep, stress, medications, and what you've already tried.
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2
Treatment & Rest
I'll explain what to expect, gently place ultra-fine, sterile needles, and give you time to rest. I may add gentle abdominal work, cupping, or warming moxibustion to ease cramping and tension.
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3
A Plan That Fits Your Life
Before you leave, I'll suggest simple steps for between visits, talk through whether herbs or nutrition guidance would be useful, and set a time to check your progress.
YOUR PRACTITIONER
Meet Your Acupuncturist
I listen first. I want to understand what your cycle, your symptoms, and this stage of life have been like for you.
Two backgrounds, one approach. I’m a Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, NCBAHM board certified, and licensed in Colorado and California. I’m also a Registered Nurse, so I’m comfortable working alongside your OB-GYN, fertility clinic, or doctor.
Experience across every life stage. I’ve been helping thousands of patients since 2009, from first periods to fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.
I adjust as you go. I pay attention to how you respond, cycle to cycle, and change your treatment as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Acupuncture doesn’t replace hormones, but it may help with symptoms that come with hormonal changes, like painful periods, hot flashes, mood swings, or restless nights. We’ll look at the bigger picture and build a plan around what’re dealing with.
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Most people are surprised by how comfortable it is. The needles are very thin, about the thickness of a few strands of hair, and you may feel a small pinch, warmth, or tingling. Plenty of patients relax enough to doze off.
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Yes. Acupuncture can generally be used alongside birth control, HRT, and other medications. Just tell me what you're taking so I can make sure any herbs or supplements are a safe fit, too.
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It can be a supportive part of fertility treatment, especially for stress, sleep, and feeling more at ease. We’ll work around your clini’s schedule and recommendations.
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Generally, yes, when it's done by a licensed practitioner who knows you're pregnant. Tell me how far along you are and about any complications, and keep your OB-GYN or midwife in the loop.
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Everyone responds differently. Some women notice better sleep or feel calmer within the first few visits. Cycle-related symptoms often take two or three cycles to evaluate. Don't get discouraged if you don't see a huge difference after the first session.
Hormone symptoms naturally rise and fall, so progress can feel uneven. Stress, travel, and poor sleep can all play a role. If your symptoms change or get worse, let me know so I can reassess.
Keep the bigger picture in mind. Are your periods easier? Are you waking up less at night? Feeling more even? These are wins worth counting.
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Your first visit is $110 and includes a consultation and treatment. Follow-ups are $80, packages are available for ongoing care, and HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Whether it's your cycle, your fertility journey, or the transition into menopause, I'll take time to understand what you're going through and build a clear plan with you. Have a question before booking? Text me and I'd be happy to help.
First visit: $110 • Follow-ups: $80 • Packages available • FSA/HSA accepted