Women’s Health and Traditional Chinese Medicine

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the care of the menstrual cycle plays a very important role in a women’s health and should begin early. During this sensitive time, a young woman can suffer from menstrual difficulties (pain, spotting, PMS, irregularity). Most women are convinced that these issues are “normal” – just part of being a woman—or can be controlled by taking birth control pills (hormone therapy). In fact, these cycle-related conditions are indicators of hormonal imbalances. Instead of replacing the hormone with pills and essentially covering up the problem, a TCM practitioner will analyze the causes of the imbalance and use natural methods to correct it. Regulating the whole body’s hormone systems will prevent deeper problems, such as PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis, etc., from developing, help a woman achieve vibrant health, and optimize her fertility later on down the road. Women of all ages definitely can benefit from paying close attention to their cycles and learning about their own rhythms.

1) Menstrual issues

Acupuncture encourages the blood to flow more freely, helping to regulate cycles and alleviate the cramps, headaches, and other pains often associated with menstruation.

2) Menopause and perimenopause

Traditional Chinese Medicine is very effective for treating menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, heart palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia. Along with Chinese herbs, acupuncture offers a safe and natural solution to the hormonal fluctuations all women experience.

3) Endometriosis

The heavy bleeding, backache, severe cramping, and abdominal pain and swelling that often accompany endometriosis are very receptive to acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture restores flow to the blood and the Qi, relieving the stagnation.

4) Infertility

Endometriosis and an irregular menstrual cycle are both key factors in female infertility. Acupuncture treatments by a skilled Chinese medicine practitioner direct blood flow to the reproductive organs and help regulate menstrual cycles.

5) Pregnancy and postpartum support

Acupuncture can relieve the lower back and pelvic discomfort associated with pregnancy, as well as the morning sickness. After delivery, many women find acupuncture treatments essential for rebuilding their Qi and blood, increasing milk supply, and dealing with postpartum depression.

6) Fibromyalgia

Women comprise close to 90 percent of the 5 million Americans with fibromyalgia. Because acupuncture is such an effective pain reducer, it’s not surprising that research indicates acupuncture “may have a beneficial role” in treating fibromyalgia symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.

7) Insomnia and sleep disturbances

Several clinical studies have shown that acupuncture is effective for improving sleep quality and duration. For the 40 percent of U.S. women who experience insomnia, this is good news.

8) Depression and anxiety

Research proves what practitioners of acupuncture and Chines medicine already know: Acupuncture can be just as effective as antidepressants, without any of the side effects. For the 12 million women in the U.S. with depression, this, too, is good news. Treatments help with stress management, lower blood pressure, and tamp down anxiety-based panic attacks.

9) Addiction recovery

Addiction treatment programs increasingly use a combination of conventional medicine and acupuncture. Recovery from drug, alcohol, and smoking addictions can be made easier when acupuncture helps to quell the stress, anxiety, and depression women often encounter while trying to let go of addictive habits and behaviors.

10) Skin rejuvenation

Acupuncture generates blood flow to the face, reducing puffiness and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. The anti-aging effects of a circulatory-system-stimulating session can do wonders for a woman’s appearance and mood.

Common Health Issues Unique to Women

  • Dysmenorrhea – painful periods
  • Amenorrhea – lack of periods
  • Anovulatory periods – periods, but no ovulation
  • Mittelschmerz – painful ovulation
  • PMS – symptoms prior to the period, including mood swings, breast tenderness, food cravings, restless sleep, constipation, headaches
  • PCOS – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome , can cause very long cycles, anovulatory periods, excess body hair, acne, and problems with weight
  • Endometriosis – uterine tissue growing outside of the uterus, can cause a lot of pain and hormone imbalance and affect the fallopian tubes’ function
  • Uterine Fibroids – occurring in at least ⅓ of women over 35, these might manifest differently in size and location and can affect menstrual cycle and fertility
  • Miscarriage – indicates hormone imbalances, abnormal sperm or egg, poor uterine lining, or inflammation
  • Premature Ovarian Failure Syndrome – when the menstrual cycle ceases at age 35 or even earlier. This causes a lot of imbalance and seriously impacts a woman’s quality of life
  • Menopause – transition period when the ovaries diminish in function and “run out” of usable eggs and follicles. Estrogen and progesterone levels drop, causing hot flashes, night sweats, dryness, insomnia and emotional swings
  • Osteoporosis – weakening of the bones, common after menopause

Consider Tam Duc Traditional Medical Clinic in Ho Chi Minh City for natural treatments.