Chinese Medicine’s Role in Women’s Health History
This month I thought I’d share how Chinese Medicine treats Women’s Health. It is Women’s History Month after all, and Acupuncture, Herbal medicine and diet have been used to treat women’s health for many centuries.
Gynecology specialties focus particularly on menstrual and reproductive disorders. As early as the Song dynasty (960–1279 AD), a gynecological specialty had begun to be practiced.
Treatment to assist health and foster a healthy reproductive life focuses on nourishing and regulating blood, and dispelling any pathogens that interfere with or congest its free circulation. Chinese Medicine considers delayed ovulation, excessive or scanty menstrual flow, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual symptoms, and short or long menstrual cycles as diagnostic signs. These signs are used to determine the appropriate treatments to enhance reproductive health.
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine contribute to improved reproductive health by:
- regulating uterine and ovarian blood flow which can improve the quality of eggs and encourage a thicker uterine wall improving embryo implantation.
- Enhancing the possibility of IVF success by improving diminished ovarian reserve markers
- normalizing menstrual cycle and hormone levels
- increasing your likelihood of a successful birth by supporting your body’s overall health during pregnancy
- improving pregnancy outcomes if you have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss
- returning ovulation if you have stopped ovulating due to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
That’s all during the reproductive years. And then, there’s Menopause.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the fundamental changes that occur during menopause can be attributed to kidney deficiency. Since the kidney is the organ responsible for growth, maturation and aging, the deficiency of kidney yin is directly related to signs, symptoms and complications of menopause. And there may be other factors involved as well. Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Diet changes offer a gentle yet effective way to address menopause and related conditions. Chinese herbs have demonstrated to have a marked effect on the endocrine system to alleviate hot flashes, vasomotor instability, loss of bone mass, and other conditions associated with menopause.
Whether you are struggling with your menstrual cycle, trying to become pregnant or trying to relieve hot flashes of menopause, you’ll find Chinese Medicine can really make a big difference.