TCM for Women’s Health: Menstruum, Fertility, and Menopause

Because traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views the human body as an interconnected network of energy (qi) and seeks to restore balance and harmony, ensuring the smooth flow of qi and blood is crucial to nourish and regulate the reproductive system.

Maintaining harmony between the cooling, nourishing aspects of yin and the warming, energizing aspects of yang is vital for balance. Understanding the interplay among the five elements and their corresponding organs and emotions also plays a significant role, especially during times in which hormones are particularly disruptive, such as menopause and pregnancy.

TCM treatment aims to regulate menstruation, reduce anovulatory menstruation, help ovulation, improve egg quality, stabilize progesterone, and provide a good endometrium environment for successful implantation and pregnancy.

Menstrual Disorders

Menstrual disorders are seen as disruptions in the flow of qi and blood, leading to conditions such as dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), menorrhagia (heavy bleeding), amenorrhea (absent menstruation), anovulation (delayed or missing ovulation), and irregular menstrual cycles, among others.

TCM treatments for menstrual disorders focus on regulating qi and blood flow, balancing yin and yang energies, tonifying and balancing the kidneys, and nourishing the uterus and reproductive organs. This approach is supported by research, including a study that found acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine significantly reduced symptoms in patients with PCOS.¹

Acupuncture is a common treatment used to restore balance and alleviate symptoms by stimulating the body’s energy pathways and promoting the smooth flow of qi and blood. This regulates hormonal dynamics and reduces inflammation associated with menstrual irregularities. Research published by the National Library of Medicine suggests acupuncture may even regulate menstrual frequency.² Focus on specific key points: Ren 6, Ren 4, Zi Gong, Four Gates, ST 36, and Sp 4.

Adjunctive therapies, such as moxibustion (specifically on the Ren 8 point in the navel) and targeted herbal interventions (such as ginger, which, according to a study in Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, is effective for primary dysmenorrhoea³), are often utilized in conjunction with acupuncture to tonify specific organ systems, correct underlying imbalances, and address menstrual-related symptoms. These complementary approaches aim to harmonize the body’s physiological processes and promote optimal gynecological well-being.

Fertility and Pregnancy

Fertility is a vital aspect of women’s health, and TCM offers a unique approach to addressing fertility challenges, with many tried and tested treatments. TCM enhances qi and blood flow to the reproductive organs, balances kidney energy (jing), and regulates the menstrual cycle, all leading to increased fertility and more successful pregnancy.

Often, infertility patients present with cold-damp physique. They experience palpitations, dizziness, vertigo, ringing ears, numbness in the limbs, and edema. They often have weak spleen and stomach functions that leads to poor digestion, constipation, or diarrhea. Because of this, TCM practitioners should encourage a diet that excludes cold food and drinks.

Immunological infertility could be kidney deficiency with blood stagnation, or yin deficiency with fire excess, as well as qi and blood stagnation or damp and heat combinations. Activating the blood and balancing the qi in these cases is essential.

Research supports TCM’s role in improving fertility, with studies demonstrating that acupuncture increases pregnancy rates in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF).⁴ A review published by Complementary Therapies in Medicine also suggests that patients using Chinese herbal medicine may have an increased chance of a successful pregnancy over patients who are only using Western medicine.⁵

Another article, originally published in Advances in Reproductive Sciences, makes the same claim, asserting that TCM, especially when used in conjunction with Western medicine, can help with several fertility-related conditions. It may even reduce the chances of complications in pregnancy.⁶

Menopause

Menopause, or “Second Spring,” is a natural transition in a woman’s life, and in TCM, it is believed that it’s an opportunity to nourish yin energy, regulate qi and blood flow, and calm the spirit. The focus in health is no longer on fertility, but on the alleviation of menopause symptoms and overall well-being. Women also experience symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness and discomfort, sleep issues, and joint pain.

Herbal formulas for dispelling heat have been shown to be effective in reducing hot flashes in perimenopausal and menopausal women.⁷ A randomized study of menopausal women also showed that acupuncture treatment produced a clinically relevant reduction in mild to moderate menopause symptoms.⁸

Often, Western medicine has a strong focus on surface-level symptom relief and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). TCM provides a natural and non-invasive option that can be effective alone or in conjunction with Western methods to provide the greatest relief during a woman’s menopausal and post-menopausal years.

Practical Takeaway

Traditional Chinese medicine offers a holistic approach to addressing women’s health concerns throughout all stages of their lives. It has demonstrated efficacy in menstrual disorders, fertility, and menopause. The “whole body” approach of TCM doesn’t simply focus on symptoms; rather, it allows practitioners to see the “big picture” and more effectively treat patients.

Integrating TCM into contemporary women’s health care may provide complementary benefits, enhance treatment outcomes, and improve quality of life.

References

1. Zhang Y, Guo X, Ma S, et al. The treatment with complementary and alternative traditional Chinese medicine for menstrual disorders with polycystic ovary syndrome. Evid-Based Compl Alt Med, 2021:6678398.
2. Zhou J, Yang L, Yu J, et al. Efficacy of acupuncture on menstrual frequency in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: protocol for a randomized, controlled trial. Medicine, 2017 Nov;96(47):e8828.
3. Gurung A. et al. Effectiveness of zingiber officinale (ginger) compared with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and complementary therapy in primary dysmenorrhoea: a systematic review. Clin Epidemiol Global Health, 2022;18:101152.
4. Qian Y, Xia XR, Ochin H, et al. Therapeutic effect of acupuncture on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2017 Mar;295(3):543-558.
5. Ried K, Stuart K. Efficacy of traditional Chinese herbal medicine in the management of female infertility: a systematic review. Complement Ther Med, 2011 Dec;19(6):319-31.
6. Wang S, Jiang J, Lu X. Progress on therapy of infertility by integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Adv Reproduct Sci, 2020;8:175-185.
7. Yu Q. Traditional Chinese medicine: perspectives on and treatment of menopausal symptoms. Climacteric, 2018;21(2):93-95.
8. Lund KS, Siersma V, Brodersen J, et al. Efficacy of a standardized acupuncture approach for women with bothersome menopausal symptoms: a pragmatic randomized study in primary care (the ACOM study). BMJ Open, 2019;9:e023637.