The Treatment of Menstrual Conditions with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine have been shown in many studies to be effective in the treatment of menstrual problems. Whilst the actual mechanism by which these treatments work has yet to be concretely identified by research, we know for certain that there is a significant benefit with treatment.
Menorrhagia
Menorrhagia is an abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual period at regular intervals. Several causes can contribute to this condition: abnormal blood clotting, hormonal disruption, or a disorder of the endometrial lining. It may also be associated with painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Acupuncture or herbal medicine is effective in treating this condition.
Metrorrhagia
Uterine bleeding at irregular intervals. This condition typically responds well to treatment with Chinese Medicine, acupuncture or herbal medicine will work well in this case.
Menometrorrhagia
This condition describes prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding that occurs irregularly and more frequent than normal. It is particularly important that this type of bleeding is investigated prior to commencing treatment to rule out uterine fibroids and malignancy. Herbal medicine is typically used in the treatment of this condition, with acupuncture to supplement the treatment protocol.
Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids are benign growths in the muscle of the uterus. They are sometimes asymptomatic and cause no problems, but they can cause heavy or painful periods, back ache, and a range of other symptoms. Depending on the type of fibroid, uterine fibroids smaller than 5cm in size can respond to treatment with Chinese Medicine. Fibroids that are on the inner wall of the uterus are most responsive to treatment, fibroids on the outer wall of the uterus are least responsive to treatment with Chinese Medicine. Treatment is usually with Chinese Herbal medicine.
Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is the absence of a menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age. Primary amenorrhea is where the menses have never commenced, and can be due to congenital conditions such as the absence of the uterus. Secondary amenorrhea is the cessation of the menstrual cycle and most often due to hormonal causes. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can be effective in many cases. Most causes of primary amenorrhea cannot be treated by Chinese Medicine.
In Chinese Medicine there are a number of diagnoses that we would be looking out for - the common ones are:
Blood Stagnation
Blood Stagnation is the failure of qi and blood to flow properly through the body. Typically a woman would experience very painful periods, have large clots in the menstrual blood, and may have a purple tinge to the tongue or visible purple veins underneath the tongue. This pattern of disharmony best responds to a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine and dietary interventions.
- Foods such as eggplant, beetroot, mulberries, turmeric, rosemary and adzuki beans can be useful.
- A small amount of lemon with olive oil on an empty stomach in the morning can also help to shift blood stagnation.
- Avoiding alcohol, coffee, spicy food, sugar and heavy meals will also assist.
- Not taking your emotions to the table
- Eating the main meal earlier in the evening.
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Spleen Qi Deficiency describes a set of symptoms in the body caused by a lack of qi production. Symptoms such as fatigue, bloating, poor digestion, heavy periods are possible symptoms for this pattern of disharmony. This pattern responds best to a combination of moxibustion, herbal medicine and dietary interventions. Of all the patterns of disharmony identified by Chinese Medicine, Spleen patterns are most affected by our diet.
- Foods such as carrot, pumpkin, cardamom, turmeric, rice, red lentils are ideal.
- Reducing cooling foods such as raw fruits and vegetables and strengthening the digestion by eating warm and cooked foods helps to boost the Spleen energy.
- Thorough chewing of all food is essential.
- Reducing worry and excessive thought is important, moderate exercise and activities such as singing and gardening all help to strengthen the Spleen energy.
Kidney Qi Deficiency
Kidney Qi Deficiency corresponds to a set of symptoms related to the Water Element and Kidney energy in Chinese Medicine: primarily reproduction and joints. Problems with infertility, irregular periods, lower back pain and problem knees and ankles are all under the umbrella of the Kidney energy. This pattern responds well to a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine and dietary interventions.
- Foods such as shiitake mushrooms, walnuts, quinoa, figs, lamb and beef are ideal.
- Avoid large amounts of salty food, and reduce salt consumption.
- Don't stay up late. Try to be in bed and asleep by 11pm.
- Avoid too much standing, and overwork.
- Reducing stress is important, moderate exercise such as swimming is beneficial.
Liver Qi Stagnation
Liver Qi Stagnation occurs when qi does not flow smoothly around the body. Symptoms of headache, PMS, painful periods and conditions that worsen with stress can indicate Liver Qi Stagnation
- Foods such as green leafy vegetables, sprouts, rosemary, beetroot and asparagus are well suited.
- Reduce foods that put strain on the liver: alcohol, coffee, sugar and sweets, spciy food, fatty foods.
- Avoid heavy meals, eat an early dinner.
- Don't have too many foods in one meal.
- Regulate your emotions, try to avoid getting "stuck" in anger, frustration or sadness. Try to harness your creative energy by painting, drawing, writing, dancing.
- Reducing stress is imperative, exercise is key - moderate, regular exercise such as walking, cycling, yoga or pilates are ideal.
