Women’s Health

Amenorrhea > Dysmenorrhea > Endometriosis > Menopause support > PMS & Pmdd > PCOS

Amenorrhea or Lack of Menses

Condition: Amenorrhea is the absence of a period. There are two types of amenorrhea; primary and secondary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is characterized by being older than 15 and never getting a period, even though puberty has commenced. Secondary amenorrhea is when you’ve skipped periods for a few months in a row and you are not pregnant or experiencing menopause. The latter can be temporary, but deserves attention; amenorrhea is a complex issue that requires further medical inquiry. 

TCM Approach: Known as Bi Jing in TCM, we need to determine if the lack of menses is due to a Deficiency or an Excess pattern. A Deficiency pattern could require treating Blood, the Spleen, Kidneys and Liver; they all play a role in menstruation. Excess patterns could be a result of Qi or Blood stagnating, Phlegm or even Cold. 

Proposed Treatment: Once the underlying pattern has been understood, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and lifestyle advice fitting the diagnosis will be employed to coax menstruation back. A patient can expect to come in 2 to 4 times a month for in-person treatment; a 45 minute follow-up should suffice. This can take up to 3 months to see results, depending on the person and the presentation. 

Dysmenorrhea or Painful Menses

Condition: Dysmenorrhea is used to describe painful periods caused by strong uterine contractions. There are two types of dysmenorrhea; primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is a result of menstrual pain in the absence of a pelvic pathology. Secondary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed with imaging indicating structural or physiological reasons for severe pain with menstruation. 

TCM Approach: Primary Dysmenorrhea can treat pain that occurs before or during menstruation. Determining the type of pain experienced, whether it's in the lower abdominal region or in the legs and if it's accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or fainting will all impact the treatment plan. Painful periods are typically a result of Liver Qi and Liver Blood not moving smoothly. When Qi or Blood stagnates, it is disruptive and a primary mechanism for causing pain in the body; in this case, it would be in the uterus. 

Proposed Treatment: Determining when the Qi or Blood is stagnating in the various menstrual phases can help to pinpoint when treatment is needed or when Chinese herbs need to be employed. Depending on the severity or chronic nature of the stagnation, patients can expect to come in 2 to 4 times a month for approximately 3 months to see results. Lifestyle, mindfulness, and nutritional guidance will also be suggested; stress in and of itself has the power to disrupt Qi flow and can be an underlying issue.

Endometriosis

Condition: Endometriosis is hallmarked by pain; the endometrial tissue found inside the uterus is growing outside of it, attaching to other anatomical structures. By attaching to the ovaries, colon, fallopian tubes or pelvis, these endometrial implants can cause inflammation and pain. This is typically aggravated by the hormonal changes accompanied by the menstrual cycle. There are four stages of Endometriosis that increase in severity at each stage; only a physician can diagnose these stages. 

TCM Approach: The aetiology of Endometriosis in TCM can involve a variety of factors, each presentation complicated by its individual combination. Due to the lesions and pain experienced by sufferers, Blood Stasis or the inadequate movement of Blood must be addressed. The Kidneys, which are involved in our overall fertility can also be treated to boost and harmonize their Yin and Yang energies. In some cases, the Endometriosis could be a result of Cold, Dampness or Phlegm obstructing the uterus similar to Blood Stasis, causing pain and affecting the uterine lining. 

Proposed Treatment: Using a combination of acupuncture, but most importantly Chinese herbs, are the best options for treating Endometriosis. Depending on the individual presentation, will dictate what formulas are used, when they are dispensed and for how long. As always, lifestyle and nutritional advice will be provided to help bolster the efficacy of the treatments, but offer some respite from such a painful condition. Expect treatment visits to take place 2 to 4 times a month, and 3 months to start seeing results.

Menorrhagia or Heavy Periods

Condition: Menorrhagia is menstrual bleeding that is lengthy, lasting for more than seven days. The bleeding can also be heavy. Heavy bleeding is described as needing to change a pad or tampon every two hours and/or the passing of large clots; the size of a quarter or bigger. It is also known as Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. 

TCM Approach: The mechanisms for Menorrhagia in TCM are linked to Qi and Blood. If the Qi is weak, it fails to hold the blood in its vessels, causing a heavy bleed. But if the Blood has been heated up due to the Qi stagnating, the Blood is forced out of the vessels due to being too Hot. Lastly, if the Blood is stagnant, not moving and essentially old, the newly generated Blood for the current menses has nowhere to go and will result in a Heavy Period. 

Proposed Treatment: Regardless of the pathology, all three differentiations of Heavy Periods will be treated with acupuncture, Chinese herbs, lifestyle and nutritional advice based on the presentation. By establishing a treatment plan that has at least 2 acupuncture sessions a month, Chinese herbs, lifestyle and nutrition adjustments can help to lengthen the efficacy of the acupuncture and treat the underlying cause. This process can take up to 3 months to see results.

Menopause Support

Condition: Menopause marks the end of a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle. To be deemed menopause, the period must have stopped for 12 consecutive months; this can be confirmed by a physician. Essentially, the ovaries cease producing high levels of estrogen; they no longer release eggs either. This drop in estrogen can cause a variety of symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweating, mood changes and restless sleep. There are three phases of Menopause; Perimenopause, Menopause and Post-Menopause. The average age for Menopause in Canada is 51.5 years. Menopause is not a disease; it is a natural part of the aging process.

TCM Approach: The Kidneys are responsible for the many growth cycles in a person's life such as childhood development, puberty and overall reproductive health. They also play a key role in aging including Menopause. Kidney Essence or Jing is the deepest reserve of energy we possess that cannot be replaced once used; as time goes by, it is inevitable for us to weaken our Essence. The Kidneys are also responsible for the underlying Yin and Yang energy of the entire body. During Menopause, the Kidney Essence wanes, having a direct impact on both Kidney Yin and Yang in different proportions. When treating menopause it is crucial to balance the Yin and Yang energies while preserving the Essence to make this transition as smooth as possible. 

Proposed Treatment: Ideally, starting treatments during Perimenopause or Menopause can help to ease the classic symptoms before they kick into high-gear. Again, a blend of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine will be utilized to balance Kidney Yin and Yang while also addressing any other organ systems being affected by this transition. Lifestyle and nutritional advice play a key role; reframing this Second Spring can require positive changes to help one to adapt to the new normal. Never forget, Menopause is not a disease, but a new chapter in this journey we call life. 

Premenstrual Syndrome & Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or PMS & PMDD

Condition: Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS is a collection of symptoms that affect a menstruating woman prior to her period. Everything from tender breasts, headaches, cravings, water retention and mood fluctuations can describe PMS. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS; it is a serious and chronic condition, which requires medical intervention. PMDD can be viewed as PMS to the extreme where it has the ability to intrusively disrupt a woman's quality of life. 

TCM Approach: To determine the underlying cause of PMS, it’s important to note where in the cycle it’s happening and its intensity. PMS is typically experienced 1 day to 2 weeks prior to the first day of menstruation. The Liver is the organ most associated with the smooth flow of Qi, and when PMS is experienced, it's an indication that the Qi is stagnating. Depending upon other PMS symptoms, such as insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, or changes in bowel movements can implicate other organs which will need to be treated in tandem. 

Proposed Treatment: Ensuring the smooth flow of Qi, can help to reduce or relieve PMS symptoms, therefore, treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbs are effective tools. Stress, overwork and certain foods can also hamper Qi flow and these can be addressed in treatment with lifestyle and nutritional advice. PMS can be treated 1 to 2 times a month with either a 45 or 60 minute follow-up treatment; please note it can take up to 3 months to see results depending on the individual. 

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS

Condition: Commonly known as PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition whereby the ovaries produce male hormones called androgens. It is common for women to have androgens present in small amounts, however in the case of PCOS, these androgens are higher than usual. In some cases, women produce numerous small fluid-filled sacs known as cysts that form in the ovaries. As a syndrome, symptoms will vary from person to person. 

TCM Approach: Based on the individual sufferer's experience of PCOS will guide the treatment protocol. This being said, many patterns seem to have two similarities; Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus and a Deficiency of the Kidneys. This can help explain the presence of cysts which form on the ovaries, and the other common symptoms such as a lack of menses or infertility. Everyone is different, and PCOS is a solid example of how TCM pattern differentiation and subsequent treatments can alter outcomes. 

Proposed Treatment: Regardless of pattern, the treatment of PCOS will include acupuncture, Chinese herbs, nutritional and lifestyle advice. Where appropriate, other modalities such as moxibustion or cupping can be employed. Working with the female menstrual cycle will dictate the timing of the treatments and frequency. In some cases where amenorrhea is present, other hormonal markers can be used instead. Expect weekly treatments, 2 to 4 times a month for at least 3 months to observe any changes.