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Menopause

When older women get together in a social situation, one of the HOT topics on the table is most likely menopause or who out of the group is suffering with torturous hot flashes. Technically, menopause just means that menstruation has stopped, for at least a year. Perimenopausal syndrome is what is more troubling to a lot of women, these symptoms come before and after “menopause” such as;

  • Dizziness
  • Hot flashes
  • Tinnitus
  • Sweating
  • Insomnia
  • Emotional imbalances
  • Puffy face
  • Swollen legs
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Poor appetite
  • Irregular menstruation.

The theory of Chinese Medicine can explain all of this and from there, we can understand how to improve the situation.

Theory of women: 7x7

The development and declining health of the body is explained in the Chinese Medicine classic texts. They say that women’s bodies develop according to blocks of 7 years, or 7 year cycles. A lot of the development comes from the kidney energy gaining strength and then declining. The Kidney Qi (energy) is seen as the root energy source for the entire body, as well as controlling development, growth and reproduction. Essence is a precious material that is stored in the Kidneys and also dictates the development and aging cycles.

The first developments for girls when the Kidney energy begins to become strong is at 7 years old, the hair and teeth start to become stronger, the baby teeth begin to fall out and be replaced by the stronger adult teeth. The strength of the teeth are also controlled by the Kidney Qi.

The second cycle is at 14 years old, the Kidney has produced Tian Gui (heavenly essence/menstruation) begins to flow through the Chong and Ren channels. She is now fertile and able to have a baby.

The third cycle at 21 is when the Kidney energy is balanced, all of the adult teeth have come in and she has reached her maximum height. Fertility is also very strong.

The fourth cycle at 28 years is when bones, muscles and hair are strong and the body is in it’s optimal condition. Fertility has reached it’s maximum by this point and will begin to decline from here. From 21 to 28 is the most optimal time to have children.

The fifth cycle at 35 years old is when the decline starts, the peak condition will gradually decline, wrinkles will begin to appear, she will still be able to have children but her general strength and energy will begin to lessen.

The sixth cycle at 42 is when Kidney Qi really begins to weaken. The hair starts to grey, it becomes difficult to conceive, and energy continues to decline.

The seventh cycle at 49 is when Tian Gui (menstruation) dries up within the Ren and Chong channels. The physique of the body turns more feeble and she can no longer have children. It is interesting to note that the menstruation it’s self is derived from Essence- a very precious substance in our bodies. Tian Gui literally means Heavenly Water.

These guidelines were written a very long time ago and the timeline has changed a little, but generally follows this guide.

Kidney Essence

Unique to the Kidneys is something that they store called Essence (Jing), which also plays a significant role in menopause. Prenatal Essence is passed on from our parents, it determines our general constitution and governs the growth, development and reproduction. The Essence can be compared to our DNA, our genetic map. It is the maturing and decline of the Essence that follows the 7 year cycles in women. We are born with a certain amount of Kidney Essence, and when it’s depleted, it cannot be replaced. When people are born with too little Essence, they may have developmental delays, birth defects, sexual dysfunction, infertility or premature aging.

In biomedicine, the reason for the decline in reproductive strength comes from the decline in the ovary function. The reserve of ovarian follicles has declined over time. Many menopausal symptoms are due to a decline of estrogen, especially hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Estrogen can be paralleled with Tian Gui-menstruation (Heavenly Water) which is derived from Essence. Remember that we cannot replenish our pre-heaven Essence, so it must be protected throughout life before menopause approaches.

Declining of Kidney Qi

As you can see, it is the rise and fall of the strength of the Kidney Qi which begins menstruation and then dries it up. It is also the balance of the Kidney Qi and its balance with other organs such as the heart which can make that transition smooth or make it full of suffering.

Although the Kidney energy naturally declines over time and there is no way to stop menopause, the way we live our lives have a huge impact on the hastening of that decline. Alternatively, we can also slow down the decline somewhat or make the transition a pleasant one with lifestyle choices that prevent Kidney Qi from declining too fast and causing other imbalances that can make the declining Kidney Qi more prominent.

A very typical menopausal women will be deficient in either Kidney Yin or Yang (or both). Kidney Yin can be seen more as the cold, fluid and substance aspect of the kidney, it moistens the organs and tissues. Kidney Yang is like the fire which provides the energy for the functioning of the Kidneys.

Lifestyle Depleting Kidney Qi and Essence

“These imbalances likely showed themselves as a whisper during the menses, and perhaps a stern voice during postpartum- but then become a howling scream during menopause.”

Many practitioners will tell you that they see woman have been taxing their bodies and burning the candle at both ends for years on end and are suffering as a result. Overstressed lives, poor diets and the lack of cultural knowledge about proper care during menstruation and the postpartum period are major reasons why so many women are suffering around menopause.

Imbalances that are presenting during menopause are seen as indicators for health later in life.

The Heart and Menopause
Another organ that is tied in with menopause is the Heart. In Chinese Medicine, the Heart dominates the blood and vessels and facial complexion, it opens into the tongue and more importantly when relating it to menopause it controls the mind. The mind means the consciousness, spirit and thinking. The Heart and the Kidneys have a special relationship. The Heart in the upper part of the body and represents fire, the kidneys are in the lower part of the body and represent water. The Heart fire and Kidney water are supposed to balance each other, the water cools the fire and the fire gives heat to the kidneys. When the Kidney water (yin) declines it cannot cool the Heart fire. When the Heart becomes too hot, the mind becomes restless and disturbed by heat. This is why the negative symptoms such as insomnia and emotional imbalances happen.
Why it is Important to Treat Menopause Naturally

The symptoms of menopause are present because there is an imbalance involving the Kidney Qi (Yin and Yang). This means there is a weakness in the body, the body cannot function on it’s own. In reality, there are hormone imbalances. When you take hormone replacement therapy, your body further looses the ability to regulate it’s self. It is better to stimulate the body and nourish the body to function better on it’s own. This can be done through acupuncture and herbal medicine. They both have powerful abilities to stimulate proper hormone function.

What’s the catch? The longer that imbalance was let to go on, the longer it will take to bring back into balance. If you have living a wreckless and stressful life for 30 years and you expect that your hot flashes will magically disappear within a month, that is an unrealistic expectation. It will take time, and the more positive lifestyle changes you incorporate in your life aside from your treatments, the faster you will get there.

Menopause – Pattern Differentiation and Symptoms in Chinese Medicine

 

Kidney Yin Deficiency =  Dizziness, tinnitus, hot flashes, sweating, feeling hot in the palms and soles, lower back pain, knee aching, early or irregular periods, heavy or scanty amount of menstruation, dry and itchy skin, dry mouth, dry stools, small amounts of yellow urine, red tongue with little or no coating, thready and rapid pulse.

Kidney Yang Deficiency Kidney = Dark complexion, general weakness, cold hands and feet, cold aching lower back and knees, poor appetite, abdominal distention, loose stools, heavy period, puffy face, swollen extremities, frequent night urination, light red swollen tongue with tooth marks, deep and weak thready pulse

Yin and Yang Deficiency = Signs from both categories.

Longevity Herbs

There are some herbal products which are both safe and effective that can be used to prevent and treat menopause. They can be made into a tincutre, made into a tea or in capsule form. Depending on how severe the condition is, long term use may be needed.

Longevity Foods

  • Pears
  • Dark Greens
  • Black and White fungus
  • Fermented soy such as tempeh and miso
  • Potato
  • Squash
  • Sweet potato
  • Yam
  • Alfalfa sprouts
  • Asparagus
  • Kelp
  • Potato
  • Seaweed
  • String bean
  • Sweet potato
  • Lemon
  • Lime
  • Mulberry
  • Aduki bean
  • Black bean
  • Black soya bean
  • Kidney bean
  • Black sesame seed
  • Fresh water clam
  • Oyster
  • Duck
  • Chicken egg

Reishi mushroom has many different applications, it is commonly prescribed for psychiatric conditions, hypertension, cancer, allergy related conditions and liver problems. It is the water-soluble polysccharides, triterpenoids (ganoderic acids), proteins and amino acids with in the mushroom that make it so valuable.

This is known as the five flavours fruit, as it contains all five flavours-sweet, salty, sour, bitter and pungent. This means that it can affect all organs in the body. It’s dominant flavours are sour making it an astringent and salty which goes to the Kidneys. This means that it helps the Kidneys retain their precious substances such as Essence and Yin. Some caution needs to be given, this herb is on the warm side, so if hot flashes or insomnia are an issue, better to avoid this one.

These are quite well known for their health benefits, they are in the Yin tonic category. They are chewy and have a mild flavour, and make wonderful additions to teas, soups, smoothies etc. They are quite high in antioxidants.

Discussion on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

We can’t discuss menopause without discussing the popular Western medicine treatment which has it’s positives and negatives. The suffering that HRT can stop in it’s tracks definitely counts for something, but it is not without it’s risks. As long as the positives outweigh the negatives and the choice is an informed one then it is the right decision.

For some women, the negative symptoms of menopause are enough that they are consumed by the relentless suffering. They may feel that they are going “crazy”. HRT seems like heaven on earth and it is very hard to know that there is a magical solution that can ease their suffering and not take it.

Risks of HRT:

Breast cancer risk associated with use more than 5 years
Increased risk of blood clots and venous thrombo-embolism
Estrogen only carries an increased risk of endometrial cancer
May be increased risk of ovarian cancer

Contraindicated for HRT:

Pregnancy
Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
Active or recent blood clot or heart attack
Suspected or active breast or endometrial cancer
Active liver disease with abnormal liver function tests
Porphyria cutanea tarda

Causes of Negative Menopause Symptoms

Overwork: Working long hours without enough rest, especially combined with irregular eating and worry is a big drain on the body. Experience shows that in Western women, this is the number one cause for Kidney Yin deficiency.

Emotional Stress: When emotional stress continues for year after year before the onset of menopause it becomes a major factor in the imbalance of the organs related to menopause, the Kidneys, Spleen and Liver. Anxiety, fear and guilt weaken the Kidneys, leading to Yin deficiency. This is especially true when these emotions are in conjunction with overwork, which is common. Over time, Kidney Yin cannot balance out the Heart, leading to Heart Yin deficiency, empty Heart heat which leads to hot flashes. Worry, anger and fear lead to Liver Yang rising, which will also lead to hot flashes.

Smoking: Tobacco smoke injures the Lungs, that is easy to see, but it also injures the Kidneys. It dries up the Essence and the Blood, and leads to Kidney Yin deficiency. You can see this in the face of long time smokers, their skin looks very dry, this is also why they wrinkle prematurely, their body lacks the moisture it needs to keep the skin supple. Prematurely causing Kidney Yin deficiency will aggravate menopausal symptoms.

Irregular Diet: Irregular eating schedules and excessive intake of dairy, and greasy or fatty foods leads to the formation of Phlegm in the body which weakens the Spleen. The formation of Phlegm often aggravates menopausal symptoms.

Tea/Coffee and Alcohol: These substances are all warm in nature and worsen and aggravate menopausal symptoms and hot flashes.

Why it is Important to Treat Menopause Naturally

The symptoms of menopause are present because there is an imbalance involving the Kidney Qi (Yin and Yang). This means there is a weakness in the body, the body cannot function on it’s own. In reality, there are hormone imbalances. When you take hormone replacement therapy, your body further looses the ability to regulate it’s self. It is better to stimulate the body and nourish the body to function better on it’s own. This can be done through acupuncture and herbal medicine. They both have powerful abilities to stimulate proper hormone function.

What’s the catch? The longer that imbalance was let to go on, the longer it will take to bring back into balance. If you have living a wreckless and stressful life for 30 years and you expect that your hot flashes will magically disappear within a month, that is an unrealistic expectation. It will take time, and the more positive lifestyle changes you incorporate in your life aside from your treatments, the faster you will get.

Healthy Lifestyle Practices for Perimenopausal Syndrome

If you are still getting a period, follow the practices of menstrual renewal, it’s never too late. Info here.

Supplement with trans-dermal (through the skin) magnesium using magnesium oil applied to the skin or magnesium chloride added to baths.

From about 30 or 35 years old, women can take a preventative herbal remedy called Liu Wei Di Huang Wan in small doses, daily.

Avoid smoking, as it dries out the Yin.

Avoid red meat, spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, as they add too much heat into the body and dry out the Yin.

Practice some form of mediation or Qi Gong, stress and tension should be avoided.

Yoga is another practice that is good for the mind and body.