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 as 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 and night sweats
* Cognitive changes, memory loss, poor concentration
* Insomnia
* Mood swings, anxiety, irritability, depression
* Libido loss, low energy level
* Indigestion, diarrhea and 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 meantime, 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 and 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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