Menopause and Chinese Medicine
“Menopause creates the opportunity for a transformation, a new beginning, as a woman becomes free to discover, pursue or complete her life’s mission and touch her spirit—and the spirits of those around her—in a profound and meaningful way.” Nan Lu Menopause is referred to as a “Second Spring.” It’s an opportunity to balance the energies of the body to experience future good health. It’s also an opportunity for a rebirth of yourself, for yourself, and is a chance for you to prepare your body, mind, and spirit for a long, healthy life. During this time, you move from the role of caring for others to rediscovering yourself and to sharing the wisdom you’ve gained throughout your life. The word, “menopause” means “cessation of menses,” and it signals the end of your reproductive years. It happens when your ovaries no longer release an egg every month and your periods stop. Menopause is considered normal when happens after age 40. Prior to that, it is called premature menopause. The average age of menopause in the US is 51. You are considered to be officially in menopause 13 months after your last menstrual period or following surgical removal of your uterus and ovaries. Menopause can also occur as a result of hysterectomy, oophorectomy, surgery, autoimmune disorders, or damage to the ovaries from radiation or chemotherapy. It is a normal physiological transition and although some women experience severely uncomfortable symptoms, many women experience mild or no symptoms. You May Be in Perimenopause or Menopause if You Have…
irregular periods
heavy bleeding or scanty bleeding
insomnia
fatigue
bloating
infertility
hot flashes
night sweats
high FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
headaches
weight gain, especially around the middle
anxiety, depression, mood swings
heart palpitations
joint and muscle aches and pains
changes in libido
vaginal dryness
urine leakage or urgency
forgetfulness / brain fog
inflammation
The severity of these symptoms will depend upon your lifestyle and dietary habits throughout your life. Stress is usually the number one hormone disrupter, affecting the entire endocrine system.
Menopause Doesn’t Have to be Uncomfortable! Chinese medicine has a long history of safely and effectively treating gynecological conditions, including menopause. It is often extremely effective in the treatment of hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, and other uncomfortable symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. Chinese Medicine Explanation of What Is Happening During Menopause From a Chinese perspective, menopausal symptoms (if there are any) are generally due to a decline of Kidney Essence in its yin or yang aspect. However, within this primary pathology there can be many variations of pattern. This Kidney deficiency may be accompanied by Dampness, Phlegm, stagnation of qi, stasis of Blood, Empty Heat or Liver yang rising. What to Expect Treatment is holistic and individualized. After a thorough evaluation, including questions, visual inspection which may include tongue, subtle skin colorations and qualities, fingernails, ears, or eyes, listening to the voice, and feeling the pulse and possibly certain points on the body, a diagnosis of the underlying pattern of disharmony is determined. A treatment will occur, which may include acupuncture, acupressure, Maya, Oriental, or Western massage, cupping or moxibustion. Recommendations for diet, lifestyle, home therapies and qigong will be presented as appropriate, depending on your diagnosis. Chinese herbs may be prescribed, for use either internally or externally. Stephanie likes to educate patients regarding their diagnosis, as she finds this significantly improves treatment compliance and thus outcomes. She often provides instructional and educational handouts and recipes, referrals for appropriate health care providers, and resources such as local support groups, online resources, or books. It is most common to start out receiving treatment 1-2 times per week depending on severity of symptoms, for 4-6 weeks, gradually spacing treatments out as the symptoms and underlying imbalance improve. It is very common for her to recommend a personalized Chinese herbal formula to drink twice per day. Regular treatment and herbal tea for 2-3 months is typical for menopause and perimenopause, after which time treatment every 2-4 weeks is recommended. We are always changing and transforming, and the world outside us and our every day activities, movements, and stressors continuously challenge our ability to remain in balance. It is for these reasons that ongoing periodic treatments are recommended.