Menopause itself is not a disease. It is a normal physiological change, nature's way of slowing down the aging process in women past child-bearing age. Unfortunately, many women do not traverse this cusp quickly and smoothly. When this happens they may experience any number of signs and symptoms. These include:

• Hot Flashes
• Night Sweats
• Menstrual Irregularity
• Uterine Spotting and Flooding
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Palpitations
• Migraines
• Insomnia
• Vaginal Dryness and Atrophy
• Osteoporosis

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a 2,000 + year old professional medical system and gynecology is one of it's specialties. Within Chinese gynecology, menopausal syndrome is a recognized and treatable condition. In fact, it is one of the conditions that an herbal and / or acupuncture approach can assist in resolving, as long as the menopause is natural and not surgical.

Both an herbal and acupuncture approach see to nourish and supplement the liver and kidneys, boost the Qi, fortify the spleen, nourish the heart and quiet the spirit, clear pathogenic heat and lower rising yang energy, thus restoring balance to a woman's entire being.

According to TCM theory, menopause occures when, because of the natural aging process, a woman's body no longer produces sufficient blood to sustain a monthly period without this blood loss being draining on her body and particularly her kidneys, the organ that TCM sees as the root of life and longevity. Therefore, the body in its wisdom reverses the flow of a channel in the center of the body which sends blood down to the uterus from the heart. Rather, blood and essence from teh kidneys are sent up to the heart to nourish the woman's spirit.

In TCM, menopause is seen as a true change in life from a mother of children to being a mother of the community. This is why, in traditional cultures, post-menopausal women are regarded as wise women, since their heart spirit is now nourished and enlightened in a way that it was not before.

Current clinical research from both China and Japan support the successful treatment of a number of menopausal complaints, including bone density issues, with both herbal and acupuncture approaches.

If you are finding yourself in a menopausal way, please check with your primary health care provider to make sure that it's menopause not another issue. Discuss all your options with your doctor and make sure that you discuss both herbal and acupuncture approaches. There are risks to any form of treatment but I'd be willing to try a 2,000 year proven approach over the risky ones offered by modern medicine.

 

"*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The approaches to menopause discussed in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease"