Can moxibustion be applied to the abdomen during menstruation?
Ai moxibustion is a very common health-preserving therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), frequently applied to the abdomen. It helps relax tendons and activate meridians, as well as promote blood circulation and resolve blood stasis. Many people use ai moxibustion to treat dysmenorrhea or other gynecological conditions. However, menstruation is inevitably encountered during treatment. So, can one perform abdominal moxibustion during menstruation?
Can abdominal moxibustion be performed during menstruation?
Abdominal moxibustion may be performed during menstruation, and it offers certain benefits for women—especially when menstrual flow is relatively light. However, moxibustion during menstruation may lead to excessive menstrual bleeding or even heavier flow. Therefore, it is generally advised to avoid abdominal moxibustion during menstruation. After menstruation ends, moxibustion can be used to regulate the body, helping to dispel cold, invigorate blood circulation, and resolve blood stasis.

Moxibustion is one of the most important therapeutic modalities in TCM. It can effectively treat various menstrual disorders in women, such as irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and scanty menstrual flow. Numerous meridians traverse the abdomen—including the Ren (Conception) and Du (Governing) meridians, Kidney meridian, Spleen meridian, and Stomach meridian—making most abdominal acupoints suitable for moxibustion during the menstrual period.

In daily life, patients should maintain a positive mental state, actively cooperate with their physicians’ treatment plans, take prescribed medications on time and in correct dosages, and pay attention to routine self-care—thus facilitating prompt improvement of their condition. We hope this response has been helpful to you.