During menopause, several women experience irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue and many other problems that may persist for many years. These symptoms are caused by hormonal imbalance and can lead to higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, urinary tract disease and dermatological conditions.
From TCM’s perspective, the cause of these symptoms is due to kidney yin and/or yang deficiency, mostly accompanied by liver stagnation, blood stasis and phlegm accumulation. The severity of symptoms vary according to individual and is affected by her lifestyle, body constitution and past medical history.
Patients with kidney yin deficiency may suffer from symptoms like night sweats, warmer extremities, and backache. Recommended lifestyle changes include sleeping before 11pm, eating less of food that is warm and dry in nature like pepper, chilli, ginger, garlic, and more of yin-nourishing food like eggs, duck, scallop, watermelon, strawberry, white fungus, as well as herbs like lily bulb, wolfberry, ‘mai dong’ and American ginseng.
Patients with kidney yang deficiency may suffer from water retention, lethargy, episodes of chills and hot flushes, and frequent urination. Those with kidney yang deficiency should avoid eating too much food that is cool in nature, for example, crab, oyster, pear, beer and green tea. Instead, they should incorporate mutton, beef, prawn, walnut and ginger into their diet.
2 Acupressure Points you can try at home:
1. Acupoint KD3, 太溪 ‘Tai Xi’: Located at the midpoint between the prominence of the Medial Malleolus and the Calcaneal Tendon.
Press on this acupoint for 1 to 3 minutes every day to help nourish the kidney and clear heat.
2. Acupoint SP6, 三阴交 ‘San Yin Jiao’: Located 3 inches (about the length of 4 fingers) above the prominence of Medial Malleolus, just behind the Tibia.
Press on this acupoint for 1 to 3 minutes every day to nourish your spleen, invigorate the liver and kidney, regulate ‘Qi’ and blood flow and calm the nerves for better sleep; it is an acupoint that is commonly used to treat gynaecological problems.
How can PULSE help?
It is advisable to consult a physician if the menopausal symptoms are acutely troubling you.
At PULSE, we can help manage menopause by using acupuncture and Chinese medicine to alleviate these symptoms. Since menopause lasts even up to a few years, our physicians will be treating you on a weekly basis for up till 3 menstrual cycles.
Article by Physician Joyce Chee
Note: Information provided is not a substitute for a physician or any form of medical care. Individual symptoms differ due to different body constitutions and diagnosis. One should consult a licensed TCM practitioner for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
