| A Better
Approach to Women's Health
Menopause and Chinese Medicine (with Dietary
Suggestions):
Menopause is the cessation of ovarian function that
results in the loss of monthly menstruation. A woman
is not considered postmenopausal until 12 full months
have passed since her last menstrual flow. Perimenopause
is the time between the last regular menstruation
and menopause. This period is marked by irregular
menstruation with decreased frequency, quantity
and duration of flow. It usually lasts between 2-7
years. According to the North America Menopause
Society, the majority of women experience menopause
at about age 51, but it can occur as early a the
30s or as late as the 60s.
Many people don't realize how powerful Oriental
Medicine treatments can be for women's health conditions.
In fact, gynecological problems have been treated
with Acupuncture for over 2000 years and for 5000
years with herbal medicine. Oriental Medicine holds
that mind and body are one, and considers the whole
woman and her experience of life in diagnosis. These
life experiences (especially when out of balance
and not dealt with properly) can manifest as diseases
in the body, and especially as gynecological problems
in women.
Symptoms
associated with menopause:
* Irregular menses, changes in bleeding
pattern.
* Hot flashes & night sweats
* Cognitive changes memory loss, poor concentration
* Insomnia
* Mood swings: anxiety, irritability, depression
* Libido loss, low energy level
* Indigestion, diarrhea & constipation (irritable
bowel syndrome)
* Weight gain
Interestingly, Traditional Chinese Medicine considers
all premenstrual and perimenstrual symptoms to be
signs of ill health. The biggest factors in determining
your comfort through this time will be the dietary
and emotional health you have maintained throughout
your adulthood. Even if you haven't lived perfectly
there's still hope!
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine can eliminate your
discomfort and restore internal balance. So
make an appointment to get treated with Acupuncture
and Herbal Medicine! In the mean time, try out some
of these dietary suggestions:
* Cut back on your sugar intake
* Take a break from coffee, chocolate, colas, (tough
for a lot people, but think about feeling better).
* Please! Please! Drink lots of water... Preliminary
research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water daily
decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45% plus it
can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%.
* Eat more tryptophan-rich food such as turkey,
bananas, figs, and whole grain crackers
* Eat more food in phyto-estrogens & progestrogens
(soy beans, red clover, sprouts, yams, linseed)
* Eat more foods with high indoles (Brussels sprouts,
broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage) to reduce indigestions
and avoid ulcers.
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