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Disharmony....

Hot flashes, trouble sleeping, menstrual irregularity, mood swings ? Chinese Medicine can help..

Underlying contributing factors may exacerbate the way you experience menopause. By treating the pattern or the root, the symptoms can subside. Possible diagnoses with their Acupuncture and herbal treatment opportunities include:

Kidney jing deficiency- in adults a weakening of the bones, teeth, back a/or knees, memory problems, a/or a lowering of the libido/ability can be seen along wigh a red , peeled tongue and a floating empty pulse.  Empirically important points in the treatment are st29, ub23.

Kidney yin deficiency leading to Liver yang excess- symptoms include heat sensation especially in the face and during the afternoon, sweating, mallor flush, dizziness, blurred vision, irritability, heavy lingering menstrual flow, a red tongue with little coat and a thin, fast pulse( yin def) and wiry (lv yang). Treatment involves harmonizing the liver, tonifying the yin and descending excess. Points include: valaskatagis- Lv3 to kd1,kd3, du20, gb20, pc7, ub23, kd6 (nightsweats), yao yan (if sore back).

Kidney yin deficiency with dizziness, 5 palm heat, mallor flush, dry hair, skin, night sweats, hot flashes, constipation, dryness.  Maciocia treatments points- lu7, kd6, kd3, kd10, ren4, sp6, ht6( nghtsweats) w kd 7, LI4

Heart blood and yin deficiency/ heart and kidney imbalance- symptoms include palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, 5 palm heat, red tongue with a scanty cat and a thin , rapid pulse. Valaskatagis treatment points: ub15,ub20, ub23, sp6, anmian or ht7 for insomnia. Maciocia points  for kidney and heart disharmony with yin deficiency signs, heart signs, dry mouth and throat, poor memory, anxiety and mental restlessness include: Lu7, kd6, kd3,sp6,ren14,ht6,kd7,pc7,ren15,ren24

Excess phlegm and qi stagnation- symptoms are more digestive, distention, belching, nausea, poor appetite, white greasy tongue coat and slippery pulse. Valakskatagis points: ren17, ren12, ren6, sj6, st40, sp9. Maciocia adds: sp6, st28,pc6, lu7, kd6, ren10, ren4

Blood Stagnation- long perimenopause with hot flashes, irregular menstruation, dark clotted blood, pain, purplish tongue, wiry or choppy pulse. Maciocia points include pc6 +sp4,sp10, kd14,ren4, lv3, ren6, pc7, ub17

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, menopause is recognized as an aging process that is due mainly to the depletion of the Kidney energy. 

According to Nei Jing (an ancient Chinese Medical text that lays out the fundamental principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine), when a woman ages, the Kidney energy starts to deplete, and as the Kidney energy becomes exhausted, her period will stop. Herbs are used to replenish the kidney energy based on pattern diagnosis and individual constitution.

Kidney Yin deficiency (肾阴虚) is the essential reason for symptoms associated with menopause. In TCM, Kidney Yin is the foundation of “fluids”, including essence, blood and body fluids, that moisten and nourish the whole body. Women with yin-inclined body constitution, those who have heavy and prolonged periods, and those who have given birth to many children are more likely to develop menopausal symptoms associated with Kidney Yin deficiency. Symptoms include irregular periods, a shorter than normal cycle, increase or decrease in menstrual blood flow, vaginal dryness, dry skin, thirsty, afternoon heat, hot flashes, heat sensation in the hands and foot, dizziness, ringing in the ears, soreness in the lower back and knee, constipation. Herbs commonly used to nourish Kidney Yin include shu di huang (熟地黄), shan yao (山药), shan zhu yu (山茱萸), fu ling (茯苓), mu dan pi (牡丹皮), gou qi zi (枸杞子).

A deficient in the Kidney Yang (肾阳虚) can also result in menopausal symptoms. In TCM, Kidney Yang is the foundation of the body’s vital energy (Yang Qi) that warms and promotes the function of organs and tissues. Women with yang-inclined body constitution, those who are suffering from long-term illnesses, those who indulge in excessive sexual activities, and those who consume excessive cold food and drinks are more prone to Kidney Yang deficiency. Symptoms include irregular periods with heavy menstrual flow or spotting throughout the cycle, cold limbs and cold lower back, decreased sex drive, frequent urine, especially at night. Herbs commonly used to nourish Kidney Yang include rou gui (肉桂),  yin yang huo (淫羊藿), ba ji tian (巴戟天), tu si zi (菟丝子), rou cong rong (肉苁蓉).

A Combination Of Kidney Yin & Yang Deficiency Is Commonly Seen In Clinical Practice

However, clinically most menopausal women develop Kidney Yang deficiency as a result of prolonged Kidney Yin deficiency, and they present symptoms of a deficient in both Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang (肾阴阳俱虚). Symptoms include irregular periods with either shorter or longer cycle, episodes of hot flashes, and yet having cold limbs and lower back, dizziness and ringing of the ears. The herbal formula er xian tang (二仙汤) is often used with some modification to take into consideration each individual’s specific conditions.

Another very common disharmony pattern that extend from Kidney Yin deficiency is Excessive Heart Fire due to an imbalance in the Heart and Kidneys. In TCM, Heart belongs to the Fire element, and Kidney belongs to the Water element. There is a dynamic flow of energy between the two organs to nourish and control each other to maintain a balance state. When Kidney Yin becomes deficient, its function to control Heart Fire is reduced, and this result in an overactive Heart Fire. 

Women with this disharmony pattern besides having Kidney Yin deficiency symptoms, also experience symptoms of Excessive Heart Fire symptoms, such as palpitation, irritability, insomnia with excessive dreams. The tip of the tongue is red, and the pulse is rapid and thready. In addition to herbs to nourish Kidney Yin, herbs that helps to clear Heart Fire, such as mai dong (麦冬), bai he (百合), huang lian (黄连) are also added. 

Acupuncture for menopause - treatment protocols. Yin Yang House. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2021, from https://theory.yinyanghouse.com/treatments/acupuncture_for_menopause.