Menstrual Health
Gynaecology has a deep and rich history in Chinese Medicine with the earliest records dating from 1500-1000BCE. In the period of the Song Dynasty (960-1279CE) the first comprehensive text on gynaecology and obstetrics “The Complete Book of Effective Prescriptions for Diseases of Women” was compiled by Chen Zi-Ming and since then, Chinese Medicine has been used over the years by those of us who bleed.
From the time menstruation begins (menarche) to the time menstruation ends (menopause) Chinese Medicine has historically been used for everything and anything related to the period and the menstrual cycle.
I have seen many different conditions relating to menstruation, such as:
Period Pain
Endometriosis/Adenomyosis
Polycystic ovaries (PCO)
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Fibroids
Heavy periods
Irregular cycles
Polycystic ovaries
Amenorrhoea/no periods
Peri-menopause
Menopause
And so many more
Chinese Medicine Perspective
The period is known as the Tiān Guǐ the ‘heavenly waters’ in Chinese Medicine and is more a mixture of period blood and the ovum (human egg). The Tiān Guǐ is first mentioned in the classic text the Huángdì Nèijīng.
Chinese Medicine sees women and those who bleed lead their menstrual life in 7 year cycles.
7-13 - our Tiān Guǐ starts to build as our Kidney organ system builds
14-20 - menstruation begins and becomes regular
21-27 - we are at our height of our vitality
28-34 - this is when we are fully matured
35-41 - some changes in our menstrual cycle can start during this time
42-48 - shifting into the early stages of perimenopause
49-58 - menopause occurs - most likely no longer fertile
During our years of 49-58 we have a ‘Second Spring’, this is when we have more energy for ourselves again. The Blood energy is no longer needed in the uterus and so goes and fills up the Heart - allowing women and people who bleed to be known as Wise Women/People.
How Can Acupuncture Help?
Acupuncture is the process of inserting fine, single use, sterile needles into acupuncture points on the body. The acupuncture points are chosen according to the Chinese Medicine diagnosis process where I take an in-depth history of your menstrual cycle and your current lifestyle, combining that with the palpation of the 12 Chinese pulses on your wrists and a look at your tongue.
Chinese Medicine is an holistic medicine which looks at the root cause for your condition. Each treatment is individualised works on the underlying reason of why YOU are suffering from your menstrual health issue. I use a mixture of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Chinese Medicine dietary advice, Chinese Medicine lifestyle advice, supplements, as well as heat therapies like moxibustion and infrared heat lamps, to work on your underlying constitution.
Helping people with their menstrual cycles is something I have loved doing and is one the main reason I have people come to the clinic.
So if you are looking for alternative and holistic help for your menstrual cycle issue, then get yourself booked in today.
I really look forward to meeting you!
x Dr Alice