Perimenopause & Chinese Medicine
Since starting my practice, I’ve noticed more women in their early 40’s, even mid to late 30’s experiencing perimenopausal symptoms. This is no surprise, because we know from a Western perspective that as we age, ovarian reserves decline leading to fluctuations in hormones and reduced production of estrogen-our yin hormones.
Changes in a women’s cycle can appear a decade before they enter menopause, which can start as early as your mid 30’s. Symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, irregular cycles, shorter and earlier cycles, dry mouth, insomnia, mood swings, fatigue, and joint pain.
According to TCM, a woman’s body enters a 7 year cycle. Each phase marks a profound physiological milestone. 42-48 is a time when the body goes through a major transformation. It’s considered a time to embrace change and to make preparations for the next phase of a woman’s life.
In TCM theory, the kidneys and the conception vessel play a huge role in reproduction and fertility which decline with age, subsequently affecting the liver, spleen and heart. In peri/menopause we see various patterns from these organ systems that need to be addressed.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can mitigate symptoms of perimenopause restoring hormonal balance by regulating the HPO ( Hypothalamic- Pituitary-Ovarian) Axis, the feedback loop responsible for your cycle.
Acupuncture can also support the HPA ( Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) Axis to balance cortisol/stress response. When our bodies are stressed, and producing too much cortisol, it “steals” from our reproductive reserves resulting in hormonal imbalances.
Herbs are especially helpful during this time, especially yin tonic herbs to balance kidney and liver disharmony. Hot flashes, dry mouth, insomnia are signs of depletion of kidney yin. We want to support the body’s natural yin energies by clearing heat, and restore balance to kidney yang.
Foods + Herbs to Support Yin: apples, pears, white sesame seeds, hemp and chia seeds, tofu, mung beans, coconut water, coconut meat, avocado, rice, longan fruit, goji berries, schizandra berry, shatavari, etc.
THE most important Practice to Support Yin + Yang ( and hormonal balance): REST! I can’t emphasize the importance rest has on our nervous system. Making sure to get enough sleep and rest throughout the day is so important for our entire physiology. Don’t skimp out on sleep, it is everything!
Prevention is the key to longevity and health. We may not be able to reverse aging, but we can experience more ease as we age, aging more gracefully with time.
Sending love to all! Here’s to our health!
