How to Deal with Menopause

Chinese medicine views menopause as inevitable in life. Symptoms related to this come about due to kidney deficiency and needing the balance for “yin and yang.” These are three examples of severe menopausal symptoms different types of women usually encounter:

1. Deficiency of qi and blood: Environmental changes or physical changes are relatively inadaptable. Menopausal syndrome is prone to happen.

2. Excessive heat due to yin deficiency: These women are usually small and thin and do not like physical activities, personality is more introverted, easy to be angry, and emotional. During menopause, they suffer from kidney deficiency; kidney water is insufficient and heat in heart is more prosperous, leading to restless and emotional fluctuations.

3. Liver qi stagnation: perfectionist, long-term mental tension, psychological stress, autonomic imbalance. When menopause is reached, symptoms will be more serious, prone to annoyance, emotional instability, and symptoms of depression.

TCM emphasizes on health starting from living a healthy lifestyle before menopause. Best to eat more moisturizing foods, such as medlar, peach, persimmon, Yuzhu, spinach, broccoli, etc., to reserve the moisture and prevent collagen loss. If menopausal symptoms have interfered with the body and mind, some prescriptions from a qualified Chinese medicine doctor include Bupleurum & Peony Formula (Jiawei Xiaoyao San), Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill (Liuwei Dihuang Wan), Celestial Emperor Heart-Supplementing Elixir (Tianwang Buxin Dan), etc.

Menopausal women can reduce their symptoms by 20% if they continue to exercise for two months without relying on drugs. Yoga, Tai Chi, walking, climbing, etc. are all good activities for women who is experiencing menopause.

Beneficial acupu-points for menopause:

Taixi Point ( 太溪穴, KI 3 ) is located on the medial aspect of the foot, posterior to the medial malleolus, in the depression between the tip of the medial malleolus and tendo calcaneus.

Tai Chong Point ( 太衝穴, Liv-3 ) is located on the foot, between the first and second toes.