My Menopausal Malady

OMG I’m burning up!    Why is it so hot in here!    Can you turn the thermostat down?    I’m freaking on fire!🔥

 

These have become very common terms in my vocabulary as “the change” has arrived for me. I really didn’t know what to expect because frankly, although I’ve been experiencing perimenopause for a few years, I ignored the signals. 😕
Now that my hormones have gone completely crazy, I’m wondering why I wasn’t paying attention to the signs. You would think I’d know better, working in a pharmacy. I guess I was under the impression that if I eat well and take care of myself, this will give me immunity? Ha

 

The Universe is letting me know on a daily basis that I am in no way immune and I’ve been experiencing “hot flashes” like crazy. So I’ve been researching everything I can to alleviate this because summer in Arizona AND menopause has been leaving me a steamy, hot mess. 💦

 

Luckily, my TCM notes were filled with juicy factoids on this exact subject.

 

According to TCM philosophy, aging and menopause are directly linked to the concept of “Kidney essence”. This “essence” represents our fundamental nature, which is necessary for all life. Once our “essence” is depleted in the process of our day to day life, then we transcend this world. So once we’ve used it up, we’re done.💀

 

We have two types of kidney essence – what we are born with and what we acquire.

We call the essence we are born with Congenital essence this is our DNA , what is inherited from our parents. The quantity and quality of this essence depends on the health and age of the father and mother at the time of your conception, as well as the health of your mother during pregnancy.

The “Acquired essence” comes from the air we breathe and the food and drink we consume. Which is why a healthy lifestyle with proper diet and exercise are so important as we age. 

If we live an unhealthy lifestyle along with excessive stress our body’s balance and essence will inevitably pay the price.

What I’ve found is that there are several symptoms of imbalance related to menopause they include:

 

• Hot flashes
• Trouble sleeping
• Night sweats
• Irritability
• Anxiety and nervousness
• Mood swings
• Low mood
• Vaginal dryness
• Urinary incontinence and infections

 

In Feng Shui we strive for the perfect balance of yin and yang in our surroundings and in our bodies. During menopause we have a great opportunity to explore this symmetry as things seem to be on a constant merry-go-round that does not stop.

 

When we take a look at the body bagua, we can see that the kidney resides in the North sector of the home. Large, over-sized plants or wood furniture in this area can drain the energy of your kidneys as can large boulders or stone walls. To create more beneficial energy for your kidney essence, from a Feng Shui perspective, add metal or water to the north sector. This can help balance the excess earth or wood located here.

Now I’m not saying just rearrange your North sector and your menopause symptoms will instantly vanish. Not at all, however , there is no down side to good Feng Shui.  And besides when you do have good Feng Shui everything feels better and when our surroundings feel good, we feel good not just externally, but internally as well. 😉

TCM & Menopause- Chinese medicine says that menopause is due to one of two main disorders, Kidney Yin deficiency or Kidney Yang deficiency.

Depending on the deficiency is how it will show up in our physical body.

 

Kidney-Yin deficiency: common symptoms of this imbalance include

• dizziness,
• night sweating
• hot flashes
• sore back
• dry mouth
• dry hair
• dry skin
• itching
• constipation.

Kidney-Yang deficiency:

• hot flashes but cold hands and feet
• night-sweating in the early morning
• pale complexion
• depression
• chilliness
• backache
• swelling of the ankles.

Kidney-Yin and Kidney-Yang deficiency: a combination of yin and yang deficiency symptoms such as

• hot flashes but cold hands and feet
• night sweating
• frequent pale urination
• slight agitation
• ringing in the ears
• backache
• dry throat
• being flushed around the neck

Kidney and Liver-Yin deficiency with Liver-Yang rising:   

• irritability
• dizziness
• ringing in the ears
• blurred vision
• dry eyes
• dry skin
• hot flashes
• ache in joints
• night-sweating
• sore back
• headaches

Kidneys and Heart not harmonized:

• hot flashes
• palpitations
• insomnia
• night-sweating
• blurred vision
• dizziness
• anxiety
• mental restlessness
• feeling of heat in the evening
• dry mouth and throat
• poor memory
• dry stools

 

CHINESE MEDICINE FOR MENOPAUSE

Luckily, there are some simple nutritional measures we can take to reduce the side-effects of menopause. These include cutting out sugar, limiting the amount of caffeine we consume, and eating more tryptophan-rich foods like turkey, bananas, and figs, and adding foods with high indoles, such as brussel sprouts and broccoli.

 

If you are going through menopause like I am, you may be surprised by how effectively it can be treated by a combination of Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Let me explain:

 

1. Acupuncture and herbs are often recommended for treating menopausal complaints. Treatment depends on the presenting issues (see above) with the ultimate goal being to clear the blockages, nourish all deficiencies and relax any excesses that are within the body. Practitioners use acupuncture to clear heat and balance the energy flow of the body. Whereas, Chinese herbal medicine is used to clear heat from the body, tonify deficiencies, calm the mind, and other symptoms respectively.

 

1. Qigong & Tai Chi are often practiced to relieve stress because we all know physical movement is good for the body, the mind and the spirit.
2. Menopause is an ideal time for us to connect on a deeper level with ourselves. Practicing deep breathing, meditation and yoga are all recommended to help ease symptoms. Qigong & Tai Chi exercises help us menopausal women to relax, clear the excess heat, and balance our yin/yang. Besides the awesome benefit of balance, they are also easy to learn and you can practice them in practically any environment. There is one in particular that I even do standing in line at the grocery store!Want to know this “ancient Chinese secret”? Click here and you can start doing this easy technique and reaping the health benefits of Qigong today!

 

To find out more about how TCM can enrich & support your life, make an appointment to speak with an experienced and qualified traditional Chinese practitioner.📱

 

Combining these two powerful modalities– acupuncture as well as Chinese medicine can effectively treat hot flashes, night sweats, promote mental stability, and strengthen the overall body.  And for me I say that’s a  win-win.  Woohoo! 🙌

 

  MEDICAL DISCLAIMER:

The reader acknowledges that the content provided is for informational purposes only. Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your health care professional on any matter relating to your health and well-being.