Understanding Your Cycle: More Than Just a Monthly Visitor
If you have a uterus or know anyone who does, you know “that time of the month” can be a roller coaster. But it doesn’t have to be!
Many common period-related symptoms (mood swings, sleep issues, digestive upset, acne, cramps, fatigue, bloating, etc) are actually NOT normal, and frequently indicate hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, high levels of inflammation, chronic stress, and underlying health issues. If I had a single dollar for every time that someone has come into my office and told me they’ve been told that their disruptive, painful, problematic menstrual issues are “normal,” I’d have a much higher credit limit! In all seriousness though, medical gaslighting is a major issue in women’s health (this includes anyone who identifies as a woman or has a uterus).
The period can be thought of as a report card for overall health, offering valuable insights into how well the body is functioning. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has added the menstrual cycle to the list of vital signs (along with heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, body temperature and blood oxygenation), acknowledging that our monthly cycles are important measures of overall health.
A regular period with mild to no cramping and mild or no indicates a balanced hormonal system, good nutritional status, sufficient hydration, adequate rest, and effective stress management. Unfortunately, most people who menstruate experience at least three uncomfortable and debilitating symptoms, with painful cramping, digestive problems and mood disturbances being the most common.
Irregular periods, severe cramping, heavy bleeding, intense mood changes, bloating that makes wearing normal clothes impossible, nausea, vomiting and other menstrual issues are signs of underlying health problems often related to rampant inflammation. By paying attention to your menstrual cycle and how you feel throughout, you can identify potential health concerns and take steps to address them, promoting better overall well-being.
In this post, we'll dive into some common period symptoms that deserve your attention and some further investigation, what they mean from the perspective of Chinese medicine, and how acupuncture and herbs provide effective relief while simultaneously addressing root causes of disease.
Period Symptom 1: Severe Pain and Cramping
Severe menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea are a sign of Qi (energy) and Blood stagnation, which prevents the smooth flow of Qi and Blood through the body.
In Chinese medicine, painful periods are often associated with the Liver system, which is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi and Blood in the body. The Liver is key in menstruation, since it stores the Blood and is in charge of moving the menstrual Blood to the Uterus prior to the start of each period. The Liver is susceptible to the effects of stress of any kind (physical, emotional, psychological), which causes the Liver Qi and Blood to stagnate. This means being stressed out in any capacity can lead to more painful cycles.
Severe cramping is linked to high levels of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that cause uterine contractions and inflammation (PMID: 32069859). Poor gut health also leads to systemic inflammation, which can exacerbate menstrual pain by causing further inflammation and disrupting healthy flow of Blood and Qi. To learn more about the relationship between gut health, inflammation and disease, look out for our blog post on this topic coming out in August 2024.
Acupuncture works by moving Qi and Blood, clearing stagnation to relieve pain. Points such as Spleen 4 (Gongsun), Liver 3 (Taichong) and Zi Gong Xue are commonly used to address menstrual pain due to Qi and Blood Stagnation.
Period Symptom 2: Irregular or Missed Cycles
Irregular or missed periods can indicate a deficiency of Blood, Qi, or Essence and/or an imbalance in a specific body system or systems, particularly the Kidney, Spleen and Liver systems.
According to Chinese medical theory, the Kidney system plays a vital role in reproductive health. Kidney deficiency often leads to irregular cycles, skipped periods, abnormal flow patterns, infertility, miscarriage and increased pain and fatigue with cycles.
The Spleen system is also implicated in period issues. As the major source of Blood and Qi in the body, imbalances here can lead to short cycles with early periods, spotting between cycles, pale colored watery blood, easy bruising, poor appetite, fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep, bloating and lackluster digestion.
Liver Qi stagnation or Liver Blood deficiency often combine with Spleen and/or Kidney deficiency, further complicating matters.
In addition, gut health directly influences hormone regulation. An imbalanced gut microbiome will eventually disrupt hormone levels, leading to irregular periods. Other medical conditions associated with irregular and missed cycles include: iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, gut dysbiosis, SIBO, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and low progesterone.
Acupuncture and herbs regulate the menstrual cycle by nourishing the Kidneys, strengthening Qi and nourishing Blood, and harmonizing the Liver. Points such as Ren 4 (Guanyuan) and Kidney 3 (Taixi) are beneficial. Moxibustion therapy may also be used to warm and open the meridians and strengthen the Qi.
Period Symptom 3: Heavy Bleeding and Clots
Heavy bleeding and/or clots indicate Blood Heat, Qi and Blood stagnation, Phlegm, Cold stagnation, and/or Qi deficiency. Heat in the Blood causes the blood to become thick due to fluid being “cooked” out, which can produce clots and lead to heavy cycles that start too early.
Pathogenic Cold often invades the Uterus when it is most vulnerable– during periods, after childbirth, and during abdominal surgery. Once it lodges in the Uterus, Cold coagulates the Blood, producing pain that is better with heat application, dark menstrual blood, delayed menses, and clots.
In Chinese medicine, the Heart organ system governs the Blood. The Heart is directly connected to the Uterus via a special channel called the Bao Mai, which literally translates to “Uterus Vessel.” Each month, the Bao Mai descends Blood and Qi from the Heart to the Uterus to nourish the Uterus and allow for healthy periods and ovulation to occur. Blockages in the Bao Mai, Heart system or Uterus all interfere with this natural process and can produce irregular cycles, spotting between periods, increased pain and cramping, fertility challenges, and even emotional symptoms due to the Heart organ’s role in our emotional life.
In Chinese medicine, an important function of the Spleen system is holding the Blood in the vessels. This means weak Spleen Qi leads to easy bruising and bleeding, spotting between periods, fatigue, long periods, and heavy bleeding. Blood may be pale colored and watery or sticky if Spleen deficiency is mixing with other problems such as heat, cold, or phlegm.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine regulate flow of Blood, clear pathogens (heat, cold, phlegm) and fortify the Qi, directly addressing the sources of long, heavy, clotty periods.
Herbs for Menstrual Health
Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis): nourishes Blood, gently invigorates blood to remove stagnation and treat cramping and clots, supports healthy estrogen levels to regulate the menstrual cycle
Man Jing Zi (Chaste Tree or Vitex Seed): Balances hormones and supports regular cycles.
Gan Jiang/Sheng Jiang (Ginger Root): Warms the middle of the body and relieves pain, especially useful for Cold-related menstrual issues; fresh ginger (sheng jiang) is excellent at improving gut motility and promoting a healthy microbiome, reducing inflammation by repairing the gut lining, and resolving nausea, poor appetite and vomiting
Chinese Herbal Formulas: many traditional Chinese formulas are excellent for addressing menstrual issues. Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) nourishes the Blood; Xiao Yao San (Rambling Powder) addresses physical and emotional signs of Liver Qi stagnation and Blood deficiency; Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) strengthens the Spleen to address Qi and Blood deficiency. Your practitioner will select the appropriate formula for you based on your symptoms, history, exam and Chinese medical diagnostics.
We are Here to Help.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to take action. Cycle symptoms that interrupt your ability to enjoy your life are NOT normal, and shouldn’t be ignored.
At Mind + Body Acupuncture, we’re here to help you achieve balance and wellness with personalized care tailored to your unique needs. Our integrative treatments offer a holistic approach to menstrual health by regulating the endocrine system to promote healthy functioning, improving blood flow to the reproductive organs, calming the nervous system, promoting deep relaxation, and releasing endorphins that reduce pain and inflammation.
Our practitioners are dedicated to providing workable, comprehensive and effective solutions to menstrual issues with the power of Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, infrared light, moxibustion and more.
Schedule your appointment today and start your journey towards a healthier, happier menstrual cycle: www.mindplusbodyacu.com/services
Want to find out if acupuncture and herbs could help you with your specific concern?
Schedule a FREE 15 minute discovery call: www.mindplusbodyacu.com/services
Stay tuned for Part II of this series for more common period symptoms you should NOT ignore PLUS our top supplement recommendations for hormone balance and pain free periods!
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