The 4 important milestones on women’s health - menstruation, pregnancy, labour and menopause.
A regular menstrual cycle is an important foundation for a women's health, and hence today we're going to discuss the perspective of the happenings in a menstrual cycle in traditional Chinese medicine & the key principles of self-care during the different phases.
The four phase of a menstrual cycle:
1. Menstrual Flow
The basal temperature starts to decline, the lining of the uterus sheds and you start to bleed. During this first stage, the yang energy at its peak start transforming into yin, the principle for self care or treatment during this phase is to regulate Qi and activate the blood flow; allow free flow of qi and blood in the Chong meridian; conduct the blood flow downward to ensure the old blood and tissues from the uterus lining have been completely discharged, and that nothing is stagnated inside.
Tips: avoid cold drinks and food; warm up by using a wheatbag or a origins Kanpoflo herbal wheatbag on the lower abdomen day to keep blood circulating and reduce cramping. Slow down and do gentle exercises.
Herbs that can be used during this phase include: danggui, Chuan Xiong, shudihuang, yimucao, danshen, taoren, Honghua, Zelan, chaihu, Xiangfu, Chisholm, baishao, qingpi, etc.
2. Post- Menses (The follicular phase)
During this phase, the yin energy starts to rise and the yang energy is declined.
The healthiest egg in the follicle produced in phase 1 starts to mature, and produces more oestrogen; the uterus lining starts to thicken and grow to provide a nutrient-rich environment for an embryo to grow. Since after the period, the sea of blood is emptied and so the key during this phase is to nourish blood, and replenish kidney yin, in order to assist the uterus lining to grow and promote the development and maturation of the follicles.
Herbs that can help with nourishing kidney yin are: Shu di huang, Nv zhen zi, Han lian cao, Niuxi, Go qi zi (gojiberry), Tu si zi, Fu pen zi, etc;
Nourishing blood: A general herbal decoction often recommended after period is Si Wu Tang, which contains herbs - Dang gui, Chuan xiong, Shu di huang and Bai shao.
3. Ovulation.
This is the time of your menstrual cycle when you can become pregnant. It is the phase where yin energy is at its peak and at the point where it starts to gradually decline while the yang energy rises. A rise of estrogen hormone levels triggers release of luteinizing hormone, which starts the process of ovulation - release of matured egg from the dominant follicle.
Therefore, to support the release of the egg, the key in TCM care is to balance yin and yang, activate blood and resolve stasis; nourish kidney yin as the main principle accompanied with tonifying kidney yang; activate blood circulation.
Herbs to use include: Yin yang huo, Rou cong rong, Ba ji tian, Tao ren, Hong hua, Chi shao, Gui zhi., etc.
4. Pre-menstrual
This is the phase where the yang energy starts to grow and the yin energy is declined.
Under the trigger of progesterone and estrogen, The uterus lining is thickened to prepare for embedding of the egg if fertilized. When no fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum starts to shrink and be resorbed. The levels of estrogen and progesterone in turn starts to decrease and thereby causes the onset of the period (shedding of the uterus lining) back to phase 1 again.
The key to support the pre-menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle is to warm and tonify kidney, soothe liver and regulate the flow of qi for a smooth period in the menstrual phase.
During this phase, women can be affected by the changes of the progesterone level, and can cause premenstrual syndromes, such as swelling or hormonal acne etc. Each and everyone's symptom will vary with different body constitutions. Therefore a consultation with a TCM practitioner is recommended for any treatment and support during this phase, rather following the general principle of the menstrual cycle.
Overall, having a regular menstruation is the most fundamental part of a women's health, as it later affects later stages in life such as fertility, labour, and menopause.
Any signs of premenstrual symptoms, irregular period, etc indicate a sign that the body is out of balance, and should consult with your acupuncturist or Chinese medicine practitioner.