Pelvic Care Blog
Our blog is dedicated to supporting acupuncturists who specialize or hope to specialize in pelvic health. We hope you enjoy our musings and offerings.
PCOS Is Now PMOS. And Honestly? It's About Time.
Something landed in my inbox this morning that stopped me mid sip of tea. PCOS has been officially renamed. As of today, the condition that one in eight women carry, that more than 170 million women worldwide are navigating, is no longer called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It is now Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. PMOS.
Chicago Is Next, And I Want You in the Room!
Pelvic Care for Acupuncturists · June 20 + 21, 2026 · Chicago, IL
There is something that happens in the room when a group of acupuncturists comes together to learn pelvic care. I have watched it happen city after city. Practitioners walk in with nervousness that becomes curiosity, and by the end of day two, something has shifted. Not just in what they know, but in how they see the body, how they see their patients, and honestly, how they see themselves.
That is what I am bringing to Chicago this June.
Vulvodynia
Vulvodynia affects approximately 7% of American women, yet many suffer for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis. This chronic vulvar pain of unknown origin, lasting at least three months, can devastate intimate relationships and severely impact quality of life. For acupuncturists treating pelvic health conditions, understanding vulvodynia and the growing evidence supporting acupuncture as an effective treatment offers hope to patients who have often exhausted conventional options.
FREE MINI COURSE: PUDENDAL NEURALGIA
At The Pelvic Acu, we’re passionate about teaching Pelvic Health and supporting YOU, our providers, as you bring Pelvic Care as a specialty into your acupuncture practice. That’s why we’ve created these mini courses. This month we are talking about PUDENDAL NEURALGIA.
NEW PUBLICATION: CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN & ACUPUNCTURE
Dr. Krystal Lynn Couture has officially been published in collaboration with Golden Flower Chinese Herbs.
This work brings forward a powerful and much-needed conversation around chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and the role of acupuncture in addressing one of the most complex and underserved conditions in modern healthcare.
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome in Pelvic Health
When patients present with a constellation of seemingly unrelated symptoms (skin flushing, digestive issues, pelvic pain, and unexplained reactions to foods or temperature changes), many practitioners find themselves searching for answers. For acupuncturists specializing in pelvic health, understanding Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is becoming increasingly essential to providing comprehensive, effective care.
🎙️ New Podcast Episode: Pelvic Secrets — Unlocking the Hidden Power of Your Core
The Pelvic Act recently had the pleasure of joining Dr. Soma on her podcast Soma Says to talk about one of my favorite topics—pelvic health. Together, we dive deep into the world of the pelvic floor—a part of the body that’s often misunderstood, overlooked, or only talked about in whispers.
Acupuncture and Primary Dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea—painful menstrual cramps without underlying pathology—is one of the most common gynecological complaints among women of reproductive age. While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain the standard first-line treatment, many individuals seek alternative therapies such as acupuncture for symptom relief with fewer side effects. This literature review explores the efficacy of acupuncture in the management of primary dysmenorrhea, comparing outcomes with NSAIDs, sham acupuncture, and no treatment. While research in English is somewhat limited, three relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were reviewed for this discussion.
The Pelvic Bowl: A Window to Source
Published in The Clinician, Vol. 3 Issue 2 (Sept 2025)
We’re thrilled to share that Dr. Krystal Lynn Couture’s article, “The Pelvic Bowl: A Window to Source,” was recently published in The Clinician. This piece explores the pelvic bowl as both a biomechanical foundation and an energetic center—a place where structure, function, and spirit meet.
Exploring the Pessary: A Non-Surgical Option for Pelvic Support
At The Pelvic Acu, we believe that understanding both Eastern and Western approaches to pelvic health makes us stronger practitioners and better advocates for our clients. That’s why we’ve created another free mini-course, this time focused on the pessary—a non-surgical medical device that can provide support for those experiencing pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence.
The Pelvic Bowl: Episode 3 - with Dr. Andrea Orvieto
In Episode 3 of The Pelvic Bowl: Deep Conversations with The Pelvic Acu, host Dr. Krystal Lynn Couture, DPT, LAcsits down with Dr. Andrea Orvieto, L.Ac., DACM, FABORM, founder of SoFla Acupuncture & Wellness in Hallandale Beach, Florida. What unfolds is an inspiring and deeply personal conversation about the path to pelvic care, the integration of acupuncture with pelvic floor therapy, and the profound ways these practices change patients’ lives.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse Awareness Month
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) is more common than many realize—and often underdiagnosed or misunderstood. In honor of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Awareness Month, we’re sharing a free educational video presentation to shine a light on this important topic and explore how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can offer meaningful support.
The Pelvic Bowl - ep1
The Pelvic Bowl: Deep Conversations with The Pelvic Acu, Dr. Krystal Lynn Couture, DPT, LAc is a video podcast dedicated to acupuncturists bringing pelvic health to the forefront of their wellness practices. In this episode we feature Dr. Ilana Harms of Ilana Harms Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, based in Oakland and San Francisco, California.
Conditions We Treat With Pelvic Care
Dr. Krystal discusses the various conditions that can be treated with pelvic care for all genders. She explains that pelvic acupuncture can help with urinary issues such as incontinence, frequency, retention, and recurring infections, as well as rectal conditions like hemorrhoids and constipation.
Pelvic Floor + Pregnancy- AMERICAN ACUPUNCTURE COUNCIL
Dr. Krystal joined the American Acupuncture Council for another exciting episode of TO THE POINT as guest host! She presented: Pelvic Floor and Pregnancy.