Different Types of Menstrual Conditions – Acupuncture Can Treat Them All

Chinese herbal medicine and Acupuncture have been proven in many clinical studies to work for the resolution of menstrual issues. While the reason why these therapies work (especially with acupuncture) is still a mystery and has yet to be identified by more research work, it has been shown in those clinical studies that they do provide several health benefits for those using them.

Amenorrhea

When a woman does not have any menstrual period, she is suffering from amenorrhea. There are two types of amenorrhea: Primary and secondary amenorrhea. The former is a condition where menstruation has still yet to occur and can be the result of a congenital disorder like the lack of a uterus. The former is the stoppage of the menses because of hormonal conditions. Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture can help in a lot of instances of secondary amenorrhea but may prove ineffective when the amenorrhea is of the primary kind.

Uterine Fibroids

These are the non-malignant outgrowths in the uterine muscles. Being non-malignant or benign, uterine fibroids often do not cause any problems and are asymptomatic; however, they can lead to several symptoms with back ache or painful or heavy periods being the most common. Fibroids may vary in size and if they are less than 5cm, they can be treated with Chinese Medicine. If the fibroids are located on the uterus’s inner wall, they can be easily treated with Chinese medicine; if the fibroids develop on the outer wall, they respond poorly to Chinese Medicine. Chinese herbal medicine is the most common Chinese medicine treatment used for fibroids.

Menorrhagia

This condition is a prolonged and abnormally heavy type of menstruation that occurs at regular intervals. There may be various causes that can lead to this health issue and they include a problem in the lining of the endometrium, hormonal imbalance, abnormal clotting of the blood. It can likewise be related with dysmenorrheal (painful menses). Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture can help treat this condition.

Metrorrhagia

This condition is defined as the irregular bleeding on the uterus at certain intervals. Metorrhagia is often effectively treated with Chinese Medicine, specifically Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture.

Menometrorrhagia

Menometorrhagia is a menstrual disorder that refers to severe or prolonged menstrual hemorrhaging that happens more frequent than normal and also one that occurs irregularly. It is especially vital to closely observe this type of bleeding first before dispensing treatment in order to exclude malignancy and uterine fibroids. Chinese herbal therapy is commonly the treatment of choice of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioners for menometrorrhagia and is often combined with acupuncture to make the treatment more effective.

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners usually discover certain diagnoses for these forms of menstrual disorders. They include:

Liver Qi Stagnation

This type of TCM disorder develops when Chi flow stagnates throughout the body. Its symptoms include health issues that exacerbates with stress, painful periods, PMS, and headache.

Treatments:

Decreasing stress is important. Exercise is very helpful – pilates, yoga, cycling, walking are good for this type of condition.
Normalize your emotions – try not to dwell too much in sadness, frustration or anger. Channel your creative energy through dancing, writing, drawing, or painting.
Don’t eat too much food in a single meal.
Eat an early dinner, avoid heavy meals
Cut down on foods that strain the liver – these include fatty foods, spicy foods, sweets and sugar, coffee and alcohol.
Consume more leafy green vegetable such as asparagus, beetroot, rosemary, and sprouts.

Kidney Qi Deficiency

This condition refers to a set of symptoms associated with Kidney energy and the Water Element in Chinese Medicine: primarily joints and reproduction. Problems with kidney energy can cause ankle and knee conditions, lower back pain, irregular periods and infertility. Kidney Qi Deficiency can be effectively cured with dietary and Chinese herbal therapy and acupuncture.

Treatments

Relieve stress – swimming and moderate exercises are good for this type of condition.
Do not do too much work and do not stand too much or too long.
Sleep early. Be in bed and asleep by 9 pm.
Stay away from salty foods or cut down on salt
Foods good for this condition include beef, lamb, figs, quinoa, walnuts, and shiitake mushrooms

Spleen Qi Deficiency

This condition refers to a syndrome that is the result of Chi production deficiency. Symptoms include heavy periods, poor digestion, bloating and fatigue. Spleen Qi Deficiency is easily treated by a combination of dietary therapy, herbal medicine and moxibustion. Spleen disorders are the ones most affected by what we eat of all the patterns of imbalance seen in traditional Chinese Medicine.

Treatments

Lessening too much thinking and worrying is required. Activities such as gardening and singing and moderate activities can boost Spleen energy
Chewing your food thoroughly is important
Improving digestion by avoiding cooling foods such as vegetables and raw fruits and eating cooked and warm foods can help increase Spleen energy.
Foods recommended for the Spleen Qi deficiency include red lentils, rice, turmeric, cardamom, pumpkin and carrot.

Blood Stagnation

When the flow of blood and qi is poor, Blood Stagnation can occur. Normally, a woman with this condition may have visible purple veins underneath her tongue or may have a purple tinge on her tongue. She may also have large clots in her menstrual blood and very painful menses. Blood stagnation can be best treated with a combination of dietary therapy, herbal medicine and acupuncture.

Treatments

Eating you last meal early in the evening
Not bringing your emotions to the table
Staying away from heavy meals, sugar, spicy food, coffee and alcohol

 

Willow Tree Wellness Clinic
1607 NE 16th Avenue
Portland, OR 97232
Ph: 503-281-0030
http://willowtreeclinic.com/