PERI-MENOPAUSE DEFINED:
Peri-menopause is considered to be the time, usually between the ages of 48 and 52, when our menstrual cycle falters and ultimately ceases. Other than pregnancy, it is the time in life during which we experience the greatest number of physiological changes. Most of these changes are significant enough for us to beg our physicians to do something to make them go away. In the past decade, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was a leading treatment approach.
Recently published medical studies, however, demonstrate significant health risks posed by keeping hormone levels artificially high. Many women are now searching for another more natural approach. What they may not know is that traditional Chinese medicine has been successfully treating peri-menopausal symptoms for thousands of years without resorting to HRT, and it has been commonly available in this country since the 1980s.
MENOPAUSE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO REBALANCE OUR RESOURCES:
According to Chinese medical theory, continuing to menstruate after our children have left the nest is an inefficient drain on our bodies, especially our kidneys. The kidneys perform many functions under the conceptual umbrella of being the root to life and longevity. Symbolically speaking, they store “Essence”, which is the genetic wisdom supplied by both parents at conception. Kidney Essence provides the basis for all kidney energy, or Qi, that circulates throughout the body. It determines our basic constitution, sexuality, strength and vitality. It controls the various stages of life and will decline as we age if not nourished and maintained by the foods we eat and the life styles we choose. The kidneys also provide the foundation for all “Yin” and “Yang” energies of the body. Kidney Yin is the fundamental substance for birth, growth and reproduction, while kidney Yang is the energetic source for all physiological processes. According to this paradigm, all three aspects of kidney function would become seriously depleted if they continued to produce substances to maintain breast tissue and uterine viability beyond the child bearing years. Therefore, the end of menstruation is actually nature’s way of slowing down aging, as well as rebalancing our resources to meet new challenges.
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE EMERGENCE OF LOVING WISDOM:
During our peri-menopausal experience, an important change of focus accompanies our physiological symptoms. Instead of the vital force (or body wisdom) using kidney energy to send blood and nourishment to the womb, it redirects this flow upward to the heart in order to nourish our heart/spirit. This change in the natural direction of energy flow offers us opportunities we didn’t have while bearing and raising our children. As our heart/spirit responds to this increase in nourishment, we discover more energy to reconnect with our mates, to lovingly discover our new grandchildren, and to give back to our communities in such a way as to enrich the experience of all those around us. In traditional cultures, this transitional period was viewed as the emergence of ‘the wise woman’.
THE CHINESE MEDICAL TREATMENT APPROACH:
Chinese medicine has revered this transition for thousands of years, and has developed reliable and effective treatments to assist us during the process. Treatment focuses on rebalancing the flow of Yin and Yang energies, nourishing and sustaining organ function, and replenishing the kidney vitality that has been lost through aging. An abundance of modern research attests to the success that Chinese MDs and western trained Acupuncture Physicians have achieved using Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese herbal formulas to treat peri-menopausal symptoms.
Harmonize hormone activity:
In Chinese medicine, the key to treatment, in most instances, involves harmonizing a newly emerging hormonal state. This transition is not always smooth. Hormone levels fluctuate, often unpredictably, causing hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, irritability, and loss of libido. Variations in the circulation of blood and Yin lead to many symptoms such as menstrual irregularity, uterine spotting or flooding before menstruation ceases entirely. Other common deficiency symptoms include dizziness, palpitations, sleeplessness, and vaginal dryness. If the physician focuses on replenishing kidney energy, the adrenal glands will take over production of progesterone on an appropriately smaller scale. If the physician restores Qi, Yin, and blood resources through acupuncture and herbal therapy, the ovaries will continue to produce estrogen at approximately 40% of their former capacity. Rapidly increasing numbers of fat cells, which act to cushion our bones, also assist by producing other estrogen-like resources. These new hormone reserves have the additional effect of increasing bone density and strength, thus preventing osteoporosis.
Hormone therapy in conjunction with acupuncture and Chinese herbs:
If a woman has already lost significant bone mass, her hormone reserves are obviously spent. In this case, she may initially need her MD to supervise ‘bio-identical’ hormone replacement while Chinese medical treatments restore all her systems to harmonious function. If a woman seeks out Chinese medicine soon enough, even natural hormone replacement will be the exception rather than the rule.
Dietary and lifestyle changes:
Chinese medical treatment includes dietary and lifestyle counseling – both of which fundamentally affect post-menopausal health. Concentrating food choices on fresh vegetables and fruits and slowly eliminating dairy and packaged foods will prevent toxicity induced weight gain. Moderate daily exercise, including weight bearing as well as stretching activities, is also recommended. Many women confirm that they experience a new vitality and strength, along with a sensation of inner peace as a result of Chinese medical therapy. As an acupuncture physician, and a post-menopausal woman myself, I would have to agree.
For an appointment to evaluate your symptom pattern and customize your treatment plan, please contact:
Melinda Leeson, DOM. (Doctor of Oriental Medicine), HMC (homeopathic physician)
7029 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite A. Sarasota, FL 34231 Telephone: 926-9082
