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Period Cramp (Dysmenorrhea)
Chinese Medicine View on Period Cramp:
- Period cramps are often seen as a result of Qi and Blood stagnation in the lower abdomen, which disrupts the smooth flow of blood during menstruation.
- TCM recognizes several patterns related to dysmenorrhea, such as Cold-Damp accumulation, Liver Qi stagnation, and Blood deficiency.
Causes According to Chinese Medicine:
- Qi Stagnation: Stress or emotional imbalances can lead to constrained Qi, causing pain.
- Cold Accumulation: Exposure to cold or cold foods may cause Cold to invade, restricting blood flow.
- Blood Deficiency: Insufficient Blood can lead to a lack of nourishment, causing cramping and discomfort.
Treatment Approaches:
- Herbal Medicine: Dang Gui (Angelica) and Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum) to invigorate Blood and relieve pain.
- Acupuncture: Points like Spleen 6 and Ren 4 to warm the abdomen, promote circulation, and relieve cramps.
- Dietary Therapy: Warm, nourishing foods and avoidance of cold or raw foods around menstruation.
- Lifestyle Tips: Gentle abdominal massage and keeping warm during the period.
Delayed Period (Amenorrhea)
Chinese Medicine View on Delayed Periods:
- In TCM, delayed periods are often due to deficiencies or stagnation in the Qi, Blood, or essence of the Kidney and Spleen.
- When Qi and Blood are deficient or blocked, the body cannot generate the necessary resources for a regular menstrual cycle.
Causes According to Chinese Medicine:
- Blood Deficiency: Inadequate Blood supply can delay menstruation.
- Qi Deficiency: Weak Spleen or Kidney Qi may fail to provide the necessary energy to trigger menstruation.
- Cold Stagnation: Cold in the uterus can impede Blood flow, delaying periods.
Treatment Approaches:
- Herbal Medicine: Use of Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) to nourish Blood and balance hormones.
- Acupuncture: Points like Ren 4, Stomach 36, and Kidney 3 to boost Qi and promote menstrual flow.
- Moxibustion: Stimulate the blood flow aound the uterus and remove cold stagnation.
- Dietary Therapy: Warming foods, like ginger and cinnamon, to avoid Cold and support Blood production.
Irregular Periods
Chinese Medicine View on Irregular Periods:
- Irregular periods are often seen as a result of imbalances in the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney systems that regulate the menstrual cycle.
- Imbalances may result from emotional stress, diet, lifestyle, or underlying deficiencies.
Causes According to Chinese Medicine:
- Liver Qi Stagnation: Emotional stress causes blocked Qi, leading to inconsistent cycles.
- Spleen Qi Deficiency: Weak Spleen Qi may fail to produce adequate Blood, disrupting the cycle.
- Kidney Deficiency: A deficient Kidney essence may disturb menstrual rhythm.
Treatment Approaches:
- Herbal Medicine: Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer) to soothe Liver Qi and harmonize cycles.
- Acupuncture: Points like Liver 3, Spleen 6, and Kidney 3 to balance the Liver and Kidney channels.
- Dietary Recommendations: Regular, balanced meals with warming spices to strengthen Spleen Qi.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Stress management techniques like Tai Chi to smooth Liver Qi.
PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
Chinese Medicine View on PMS:
- PMS is often due to imbalances in the Liver and Spleen channels, specifically related to Qi and Blood stagnation or deficiency.
- Symptoms like mood swings, cramps, acne, bloating, and irritability are considered signs of Liver Qi stagnation and Blood stagnation.
Causes According to Chinese Medicine :
- Liver Qi Stagnation: Stress and emotional imbalances block Qi, worsening PMS symptoms.
- Spleen Qi Deficiency: Weak Spleen Qi leads to fluid retention and bloating.
- Blood Deficiency: Lack of Blood flow can cause fatigue, irritability, and cramps.
Treatment Approaches:
- Herbal Medicine: Common Use of Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer) to harmonize Liver Qi.
- Electro-Acupuncture: Points like Liver 3 and Spleen 6 to relieve cramps and regulate mood.
- Cupping Therapy: Applied to the back to release stagnation and alleviate cramps.
- Exercise and Meditation: Gentle practices like Tai Chi to promote calm and balance.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Chinese Medicine View on PCOS:
- PCOS is seen as a pattern of Damp-Phlegm accumulation and Qi and Blood stagnation, often rooted in Spleen deficiency and Liver Qi imbalance.
- PCOS may involve Blood stasis, which can lead to irregular cycles, weight gain, and cyst formation.
Causes According to Chinese Medicine:
- Damp-Phlegm Accumulation: Poor digestion from a weak Spleen creates Dampness that manifests as cysts.
- Qi and Blood Stagnation: Stress and lifestyle imbalances can obstruct flow, exacerbating PCOS symptoms.
- Kidney Deficiency: Kidney energy is fundamental for hormone balance and reproductive health.
Treatment Approaches:
- Herbal Medicine: Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) and Fu Ling (Poria) to resolve Damp-Phlegm and harmonize cycles.
- Acupuncture: Points like Spleen 9, Stomach 40, and Liver 3 to clear Dampness and balance Qi.
- Dietary Therapy: Avoid greasy, sugary foods that contribute to Dampness; emphasize leafy greens and whole grains.
- Exercise and Stress Reduction: Moderate exercise to clear Dampness and Qi stagnation.
Perimenopause
Chinese Medicine View on Perimenopause:
- Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading to menopause, where Kidney Yin declines gradually, creating imbalances between Yin and Yang.
- Symptoms include irregular cycles, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and fluctuating energy levels.
Causes According to Chinese Medicine:
- Kidney Yin Deficiency: Decreasing Yin leads to internal Heat and erratic cycles.
- Liver Qi Imbalance: Emotional fluctuations increase as the body transitions, affecting cycles and mood.
- Qi and Blood Deficiency: As energy declines, cycles become more irregular.
Treatment Approaches:
- Herbal Medicine: Bai Shao (White Peony) and Shu Di Huang to nourish Blood and Yin.
- Acupuncture: Spleen 6, Kidney 3, and Liver 3 to stabilize cycles and relieve symptoms.
- Dietary Therapy: Include cooling, nourishing foods and avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods.
- Exercise and Meditation: Gentle practices like Tai Chi to promote calm and balance.
Menopause
Chinese Medicine View on Menopause:
- Menopause is seen as a natural decline in Kidney Yin and Yang energies, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.
- Menopausal symptoms arise when Yin cannot control Yang, resulting in Heat symptoms.
Causes According to Chinese Medicine:
- Kidney Yin Deficiency: Yin decline leads to Heat symptoms like hot flashes.
- Kidney Yang Deficiency: Causes cold symptoms, fatigue, and lack of energy.
- Liver Qi Stagnation: Emotional stress worsens mood swings and irritability.
Treatment Approaches:
- Herbal Medicine: Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) to nourish Kidney Yin and moderate Yang.
- Acupuncture: Kidney 3, Liver 3, and Spleen 6 to support Yin, calm the mind, and regulate heat.
- Dietary Recommendations: Cooling foods (e.g., watermelon) to balance Heat, avoid stimulants like coffee.
- Lifestyle Suggestions: Yoga, meditation, and Qigong for stress reduction and Yin preservation.