Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a unique perspective on women’s health and the menstrual cycle. According to TCM, the menstrual cycle is a reflection of the body’s health. Any disruptions are a sign of an imbalance.
TCM has a detailed approach to diagnosing and treating menstrual issues. A TCM practitioner will pay attention to all of your symptoms, so it is important to give all the details. They will also feel your pulse for subtle details and look at your tongue. Depending on your practitioner they may do a superficial physical exam (no getting naked in this one).
Let’s explore the TCM view of women’s cycle phases. First we will take a look at what a healthy cycle actually is. Then we will discuss signs of imbalances and TCM treatments that help.
Going With the Flow, the Menstrual Cycle According to TCM
Like Western medicine, the TCM explanation of the menstrual cycle has 4 phases. Each phase has a different TCM element. The cycle’s fluctuations make you feel different:
- Menstruation (Water Element/Yin): This is when the party starts. The body is shedding the uterine lining and expelling blood. TCM sees this phase as a time of release and renewal, so get some rest and save your energy.
- Follicular (Wood Element/Yang): Time for growth and expansion. The body is preparing for ovulation. The ovaries are developing and maturing follicles. Estrogen levels rise and your energy and activity increase. Nourish your blood and support your energy during this phase.
- Ovulation (Fire Element/Yang): It’s getting hot in here. The mature follicle releases an egg that could get fertilized by sperm. Your estrogen levels surge, and you’re at your peak vitality. Promote blood flow and support your energy during this transformational time.
- Luteal (Metal Element/Yin): The cycle is almost over. Your body is preparing for pregnancy or menstruation. If no pregnancy occurs, the uterine lining sheds and the cycle starts again. Progesterone levels rise, and your energy and activity decrease. It’s time to prepare for the next cycle. Nourish your Yin and conserve your energy.
Each phase has different physiological processes, hormonal changes, and energy shifts. So ladies, tune into your body and embrace the fluctuations through each phase of your menstrual cycle.
What a Normal Menstrual Cycle Looks Like According to TCM
What the heck is normal anyway?! According to TCM, a healthy menstrual cycle is an indicator of how balanced and healthy you are. Sometimes it’s hard to know what is “normal”. Here’s what you should look out for:
Cycle Length
A healthy menstrual cycle should last between 28-32 days. Even though this differs from woman to woman it should be pretty close to this.
Smooth Transition
Your menstrual cycle should flow, pun intended, with a smooth transition between the four phases. Spotting, pain, headaches, or moodiness that only happen during the same part of your cycle is a sign that something is off.
Menstrual Blood
Your flow should be bright red, without clots, and at a moderate volume. If you’re noticing clots or dark blood you should be talking with your TCM practitioner.
Healthy Ovulation
In TCM, ovulation is a key part of a healthy menstrual cycle. Your cycle length should be consistent, your basal body temperature should be stable, and you should be producing fertile cervical mucus during ovulation.
Feeling Good
TCM believes that a healthy menstrual cycle reflects a healthy body. If you’re feeling good and don’t have discomfort throughout the cycle, you’re on the right track.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s body is different. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what is “normal”. Some of you may have had menstrual issues since you started having a period. Talk to a TCM practitioner about your specific cycle and they will help you figure out what is normal and what is not.
When Things Are Just Not Right: Menstrual Disorders in TCM
Ok let’s be real, sometimes things don’t go smoothly. At some point in your life, you are likely to have amenorrhea (no period), dysmenorrhea (painful period), irregular periods, heavy or light flow, or premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Life stress, illness, and changes in weight are some of the reasons your menstrual cycle goes out of whack. A TCM practitioner can help you get through life’s ups and downs.
Menstrual disorders in TCM all have an explanation. TCM practitioners diagnose and treat based on your symptoms, what your pulse feels like, and how your tongue looks. The way TCM practitioners look at your symptoms, pulse, and tongue is different from a regular doctor.
- Amenorrhea: If Aunt Flo is a no-show, it could be due to stress, hormonal imbalances, or nutritional deficiencies. TCM considers amenorrhea to be a result of Qi and Blood deficiency.
- Dysmenorrhea: If your period is a real pain, it could be due to hormonal imbalances, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids. TCM considers dysmenorrhea to be a result of Qi and Blood stagnation.
- Irregular periods: If your cycle is all over the place, it could be due to imbalances in the body’s energy, blood, and organ systems. TCM considers irregular periods to be a result of these imbalances.
- Heavy or light menstrual flow: If you’re either gushing or barely trickling. Hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, or stress could be at play. TCM considers heavy or light menstrual flow to be a result of imbalances in the body’s energy and Blood.
- Premenstrual symptoms: If you have mood swings, bloating, or fatigue before your period, you’re not alone. These are some of the most common complaints. TCM considers PMS to be a result of imbalances in the body’s energy and Blood.
TCM practitioners get detailed with their evaluations. They look at you as a whole to diagnose the root cause of your menstrual issues. They will create a customized treatment plan. TCM treatment methods focus on restoring balance to the body’s energy.
Don’t be afraid to speak up and seek TCM treatments to keep your menstrual cycle on track.
TCM Treatment Methods for Menstrual Disorders
TCM offers a range of treatment methods for menstrual disorders, including:
Acupuncture
This involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body. This stimulates energy flow and restores balance. Acupuncture promotes circulation, relieves pain, and balances hormones.
Some acupuncture points for menstrual disorders include:
- Spleen 6 (SP6): This point is on the inner side of the lower leg, about four fingers above the ankle bone. It’s used to regulate menstrual cycles and relieve cramping.
- Conception Vessel 4 (CV4): This point is on the lower abdomen, about two finger widths below the navel. It’s used to regulate menstrual cycles and treat menstrual pain.
- Liver 3 (LV3): This point is on the foot, between the first and second toe, on the top of the foot. It’s used to regulate menstrual cycles and relieve menstrual pain.
Researchers conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). They analyzed 15 studies involving 1103 participants to see how acupuncture compared to medications, sham acupuncture (a placebo procedure where needles aren’t inserted as deeply), or no treatment at all.
The results showed that acupuncture was more effective than both, medications and sham acupuncture, in treating PMS. Acupuncture seems to be a promising treatment for PMS. The timing of the treatment start doesn’t appear to be crucial for its effectiveness.
Researchers conducted another study to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in treating primary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is a condition characterized by painful menstrual cramps. They analyzed data from 60 randomized controlled trials involving women with this condition.
The trials compared the effects of acupuncture to no treatment, placebo treatments, or common pain-relief medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The findings indicated that manual acupuncture and electro-acupuncture were more effective in reducing menstrual pain compared to no treatment.
Manual acupuncture and warm acupuncture treatments performed regularly over 3 cycles, were found to be more effective than NSAIDs. Studies suggested that the benefits of acupuncture continued after the treatment cycle ended. Some reported that the pain-relieving effects of the 3 cycle treatment plan (average 21 treatments) lasted from 3-9 months.
In summary, for women experiencing primary dysmenorrhea, acupuncture might be a more effective and a safer alternative to traditional pain relief methods.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
TCM uses a unique and detailed method to select herbs to promote healing and balance. Single herbs are rarely used by themselves. Herbal formulas for menstrual disorders are customized to your specific diagnosis and symptoms.
Herbal formulas are sometimes prescribed based on the specific phase of the menstrual cycle.
Each phase has energies, organ systems, and physiological changes in the body. TCM herbal formulas are often tailored to address these specific changes. This promotes balances in the eb and flow of the cycle.
- Menstrual phase: herbal formulas nourish the blood, promote circulation, and reduce cramping.
- Follicular phase: formulas aim to support the growth of the follicles as they mature. They also promote the development of healthy ovulatory cycles.
- Ovulatory phase: herbal formulas support healthy ovulation, promote circulation, and regulate hormones.
- Luteal phase: herbal formulas support the body’s energy and promote relaxation.
Specific herbal formulas and dosages may change depending on your symptoms. Your TCM practitioner may adjust the formula and dosage as needed throughout the menstrual cycle.
Some common formulas are:
- Si Wu Tang: Si Wu Tang is a formula that nourishes blood and regulates menstrual cycles. It treats irregular periods, heavy menstrual bleeding, and menstrual cramps. The formula contains four herbs: Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), and Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa).
- Scientists studied Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese remedy for menstrual issues. They compared two versions: a water-based one and a concentrated extract. They tested these on 23 healthy people and 25 women with fertility issues. Both versions were found to work similarly well in balancing hormones and improving menstrual problems. In short, both types of SWT were effective in helping with menstrual concerns.
- Researchers studied Si-Wu Tang (SWT). They aimed to understand how the individual herbs in SWT work together to help menstrual problems. In their experiments on cell models, they found that the herb Rehmannia glutinosa, particularly its component catalpol, played a major role in balancing estrogen levels. Paeonia lactiflora, was found to have strong antioxidant effects, helping to protect the ovaries. Together, these two herbs seem to be the powerhouse duo in SWT. This suggests that SWT might be effective in treating menstrual issues by balancing hormones and protecting the reproductive system.
- Jia Wei Xiao Yao San: Jia Wei Xiao Yao San regulates the Liver and promotes circulation. It treats premenstrual symptoms and menstrual irregularities. The formula contains several herbs, including Chai Hu (Bupleurum chinense), Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora), and Bo He (Mentha haplocalyx).
- A study was conducted to investigate whether Xiao Yao San could effectively treat Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome characterized by mental symptoms that significantly affect women’s lives. Researchers recruited 30 PMDD patients with liver-qi depression syndrome and 30 healthy participants. The treatment group received Xiao Yao San for three menstrual cycles. The control group did not. While the specific dosage and administration route weren’t mentioned, the results showed that Xiao Yao San had a positive impact on alleviating PMDD symptoms. This suggests that Xiaoyaosan could be a promising treatment option for PMDD and other mood related PMS symptoms.
- Tao Hong Si Wu Tang: Tao Hong Si Wu Tang promotes Blood circulation and alleviates menstrual pain. It is often used to treat dysmenorrhea and irregular periods. The formula contains several herbs, including Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora), Tao Ren (Prunus persica), and Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius).
Researchers explored the potential benefits of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), specifically Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for women suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This review centered on herbal remedies and practices like acupuncture, moxibustion, and dietetic therapies.
While exact dosages and duration varied across studies, results showed that these methods, especially herbal treatments, offered some relief for PCOS symptoms. The takeaway? Traditional Chinese Medicine might offer hope for women with PCOS.
These formulas are prescribed by a qualified TCM practitioner. You are unique and the herbs prescribed to you are just as unique. Dosages and ingredients are based on all your symptoms, not just menstrual symptoms.
Dietary Therapy
This TCM practice uses food as medicine to address imbalances in the body. Some recommended foods for menstrual disorders include:
- Iron-rich foods: Dark leafy greens, red meat, and beans to nourish the blood and prevent anemia.
- Essential fatty acids: Salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts to promote hormone balance and reduce inflammation.
- Warm and cooked food: Soups and stews to promote blood circulation and support the digestive system.
Lifestyle Changes
TCM also recommends lifestyle changes to support a healthy menstrual cycle, including:
- Stress reduction: Stress disrupts the body’s energy flow and leads to menstrual imbalances. Meditation, yoga, or tai chi helps you reduce stress and promotes relaxation.
- Exercise: Regular exercise promotes blood flow and energy circulation. This helps support a healthy menstrual cycle. Gentle exercise like walking, yoga, or swimming is best during the menstrual cycle.
- Self-care: Prioritizing self-care can help reduce stress and promote well-being. Take time for relaxation, rest, and things you enjoy.
TCM offers a detailed approach to women’s menstrual health. It can provide effective treatment options for menstrual disorders. Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and dietary therapy help address menstrual imbalances. Stress reduction, exercise, and self-care also support a healthy menstrual cycle.
TCM has an explanation for everything. Some people respond quicker to treatment than others. Your genetics, environment, past traumas, and willingness to apply treatment recommendations affect how much relief you get.
A qualified TCM practitioner will help you address the underlying imbalances and support you through your cycle.
