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Treating Menopause with TCM

Chris Di Tecco D.Ac, D.TCM / December 18, 2006

Explanation of the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in treating 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.