Despite the fact most women experience some sort of discomfort during their “time of the month” TCM would argue this should not be viewed as “normal”. Although many of the symptoms are widespread in today’s society this is a sign that the woman’s body is out of balance. A woman’s journey through the menstrual cycle should be smooth and free of any discomfort, fatigue and emotional changes.
The following article will discuss the treatment of PMS, Painful Menstruation (dysmenorrhoea) and menopause.
Premenstrual Syndrome [PMS]:
The term PMS, broadly describes emotional and/or physical discomfort occurring before the period. The symptoms may include depression, sadness, irritability, anxiety, lethargy, loss of concentration, aggressiveness, changes in libido, changes in bowel habits, skin eruptions, food cravings, crying, outbursts of anger, headaches, bloating, distension of the abdomen or breasts and insomnia. The symptoms vary in duration as well as intensity, ranging from 1 day to 2 weeks before the period. PMS is more common among women in the age range of 30 to 40. Symptoms can be very mild to extremely serious and debilitating.
TCM & PMS: Generally speaking, symptoms of PMS are caused by a disharmony of the liver and the spleen. Chinese medicine views these two organs quite differently than Western medicine. The liver initiates the menstrual cycle and the spleen follows through. The causative factors for symptoms of PMS are often emotional strain, overwork, and improper diet. Using herbal therapy and acupuncture has been found effective at restoring harmony to the liver and spleen. Proper instruction for diet, exercise and relaxation will also help the patient make the appropriate lifestyle changes to curb the factors causing the disruptive symptoms.
PROGNOSIS: Both acupuncture and herbal therapy, by themselves, or in combination, give excellent results for PMS. It could be said that there is hardly a case that cannot be helped, although some cases may take longer. As with all menstrual problems, it generally takes a minimum of three menstrual periods to regulate the cycle completely, although some improvement will be apparent after the first month.
Painful Menstruation:
Dysmenorrhoea, or painful menstruation, occurs prior to, during or after menstruation. Dysmenorrhoea is one of the more common gynaecological disorders. It is estimated that 50% of menstruating women experience this condition and 10% of these women will miss several days of work each month. The pain associated with menstruation occurs in the lower abdomen, sacral region (lower back) and sometimes extends to the legs. In severe cases, there may be nausea and vomiting or even fainting. Associated Western conditions include; mittleschmerz, endometriosis, uterine fibroids and myoma.
TCM & PAINFUL MENSTRUATION: TCM views painful menstruation as an imbalance of energy within the human body. In order for a normal, pain free period to occur, the blood must be abundant and move adequately. Proper movement of blood relies on the free flow of energy which is governed by the liver. If the energy stagnates or is obstructed, there will be pain. Pain can occur differently for women during the period. For some, it may be painful before the onset of the period, for others the period is characterized by stabbing pain which is only relieved by the passing of dark clots. Another symptom is a hesitant period, one which starts and stops suddenly.
Emotions, external environment, overwork, chronic illness and excessive childbirth are the main causes of painful menstruation in TCM. Emotional strain causes stagnation in the flow of energy, which eventually leads to stagnation of blood in the liver and uterus, which leads to painful periods. Excessive exposure to a cold and damp environment, especially during the years of puberty, will lead to cold invading the uterus causing constriction and stagnation of blood, therefore painful periods.
Prognosis: The TCM protocol for treating painful menstruation is to disperse the static blood and qi which is causing the pain and if necessary strengthen the blood and qi. Both acupuncture and herbal therapy, on their own, or in combination, give excellent results for Painful Menstruation. It could be said that there is hardly a case that cannot be helped, although some cases may take longer. As with all menstrual problems, it generally takes a minimum of three menstrual periods to regulate the cycle completely, although some improvement will be apparent after the first month.
Menopause:
Menopause usually affects women between the ages of 48 to 55. Menopause is not a disease, but is a normal physiological transition in a woman’s life from a reproductive to a non-reproductive age. The main problems a woman is likely to experience with varying degrees of severity during menopause are: headaches, tiredness, lethargy, irritability, anxiety, nervousness, depression, insomnia, inability to concentrate, hot flashes, vaginal dryness and sweating.
According to TCM medical theory menopause is part of the natural aging process. At the time of menopause a woman’s body no longer produces sufficient blood to sustain a monthly period without overly draining her system. Therefore, the body in its wisdom redirects the downward flow of blood and energy from the heart to the uterus. The flow of blood and energy is directed upward to nourish the spirit.
TCM practitioners may use acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine, or a combination of both to treat menopausal syndrome. The treatment will aim to nourish the energy and blood in the body, quiet the spirit, and clear heat to rebalance woman’s entire organism.
If a woman is having hormone replacement therapy, treatment with Chinese medicine will not interfere because the two treatments work in different ways. In China, maturity is highly honoured and the time after menopause is often referred to as a woman’s second spring. The transitional time of menopause can be made much smoother with the use of acupuncture and herbal therapy. The prognosis is very good for helping women suffering from menopausal symptoms. Chinese medicine has helped women for thousands of years enjoy their second spring by making their transition a smooth and comfortable one.
TCM as an alternative form of health care is growing in acceptance in Western societies because it works! Perhaps the strongest feature of TCM is its ability to treat chronic conditions for which conventional medicine has no answers or effective treatments other than long-term prescriptions that come with a host of possible side-effects.
For more information visit www.chrisditecco.com
No comments:
Post a Comment