Manage Menopause Syndrome with TCM Treatments

Symptoms of Menopause

For many women in Singapore, when they reach the age of 45 to 55 years old, they may experience menopause syndrome (MPS) as part of their natural ageing process.

Menopause can be a challenging milestone in women’s health as they might experience symptoms like menstrual irregularities, bodily pains and aches, hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, insomnia, weight gain, brain fog, forgetfulness, urinary incontinence, loss of libido, vaginal dryness, lack of energy, loss of breast fullness, dry skin, eyes, or mouth, hair loss and loose teeth and more.

Many women in Singapore suffer silently from these symptoms. However, they should not need to do so. With proper management of menopause syndrome, women can breeze through this phase in life.

Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and TCM treatments available for women to ease through menopause below.

Causes of Menopause Syndrome

The main causes of menopause syndrome are naturally declining reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone which are produced in the ovaries. The functions of estrogen are to regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation. Estrogen also helps facilitate calcium metabolism and maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels, thus preventing osteoporosis and lowering the risk of heart disease, respectively. Meanwhile, progesterone plays a role in helping with the implantation of a fertilized egg, maintaining a healthy pregnancy, regulating blood pressure and boosting mood and sleep.

As a result of these lower levels of sex hormones due to the onset of menopause, women experience changes in their bodies.

From a TCM point of view, the reason for menopause syndrome is quite similar to the modern medicine theory to a certain extent. In one famous ancient Chinese book – Huang Di Nei Jing, it was described clearly that when women reach around 7X7=49 years of age, their 天癸 Tian Gui, the crucial substances to support the reproductive system—referred to as female reproductive hormones, will be exhausted.

The ultimate reason for this is Kidney deficiency as the Kidney is the most important organ that governs the reproductive system. During menopause, there will be a lack of energy and blood in the Ren and Chong Meridians, which provide all the nutrients for a woman’s reproductive organs.

This means that menstruation will stop. As a result, women will stop being fertile and ageing will be more pronounced and will happen at a faster rate. This also results in other signs of ageing, such as falling teeth and hair. Simply put, menopause syndrome is caused by the gradual depletion of Kidney-Qi, the emptiness of the Ren and Chong channels, the gradual exhaustion of Tian Gui, the breakdown of Yin-Yang equilibrium, and disorders of Zang-Fu, Qi and blood deficiency. Since the Kidney is the principal organ responsible for menopausal syndrome, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese herbs used in menopause treatment are aimed at enhancing the Kidney function and rebalancing one’s Yin and Yang energy.

Treatment of Menopause Syndrome in Western Medicine

In Western medicine, gynaecologists normally use Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to treat menopause syndrome. Medication is prescribed to boost hormone levels (like estrogen and progesterone) and to relieve some of the symptoms of menopause. However, there are side effects to HRT. Some symptoms are mild, like water retention and migraine. Some can be severe. Research has reported that there could be risks with HRT, such as increasing the risk of endometrial cancer, breast cancer, an increased risk of blood clots and stroke, increased chance of gallbladder stones and dementia in the long run.

TCM Treatments for Menopause Syndrome

In TCM treatment, we use traditional Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture to manage menopause syndrome — natural ways to balance Yin and Yang, tonify organs, and relieve symptoms without unpleasant side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine may have regulating effects on the nervous system, immune system and endocrine system. It may also help regulate hormones like FSH, LH, and E2.

TCM medicine prescribed is based on syndrome differentiation, and is personalised to each patient’s needs. Clinically there are 2 main syndromes. One is the Kidney Yin deficiency, and another is the Kidney Yang deficiency. These 2 types are classified according to the morbidity development.

1. Kidney Yin Deficiency: At first, menopause originates from Kidney Yin Deficiency with all the common symptoms one expects, including hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and mood swings. Herbal medicine which possesses properties that help tonify Kidney Yin and/or clear deficient heat can be used. Examples include Shu di, Sheng Di, Xuan Shen, Wu Wei Zi, Gui Ban, Dang Gui, Mai Dong, Sha Shen etc.
2. Kidney Yang Deficiency: Yin Deficiency eventually results in Yang deficiency. Here, the patient may experience cold extremities, fatigue, and lower back pain with a feeling of coldness. TCM physicians in Singapore will prescribe herbs to supplement Kidney Yang deficiency and warm the inner organs. Examples of such herbs include Tu Si Zi, Ling Yang Huo, Lu Jiao Jiao, Du Zhong etc.

Acupuncture as TCM Treatment for Menopause Syndrome

Acupoints needling or acupuncture can be used to tonify the Kidney, Spleen, Qi and Blood, tranquilise the Heart, clear heat and phlegm, and remove blockages of Qi stagnancy and blood stasis. Select the following acupoints like Bai Hui, Si Shen Chong, Shen Ting, Tou Ling Qi, Dan Zhong, Nei Guan, Shen Men, Qu Chi, Qi Hai, Guan Yuan, Zhong Ji, Xue Hai, Zu San Li, San Yin Jiao, Feng Long, Tai Xi, Tai Chong etc.

Besides the above treatment methods, moxibustion can be employed for 2nd type of menopause syndrome patients.

Tips to Manage Menopause Symptoms

Adopt a healthy and nutritious diet

Take a wide variety of food. Avoid deep-fried food, oily or salty food as well as cold food. Herbal soups or porridges like San Yao meat porridge, and turtle soup are good for warming the body.

Get enough sleep and rest

Avoid sleeping late as it will exhaust Yin and Qi and ignite the fire of the heart. Stop eating or drinking 3 hours before sleep. Soaking feet in herbal warm water helps one to fall asleep easily.

Engage in Regular Exercise

Regular exercise helps with calcium absorption and the prevention of osteoporosis. It also increases blood circulation to the organs as well as the secretion of hormones to reduce stress levels.

Manage Your Mood Swings

Cultivating a wide range of interests like singing, playing instruments or picking up a new hobby can calm one’s nerves. Meditation also helps with mental health.

Build a Social Support System

Having social interaction with friends and a community can provide good physical and mental support to one in need.

Menopause is a natural process experienced by women due to ageing, and although it can bring about symptoms that cause discomfort or changes to women’s health, women do not have to suffer. Be aware of the symptoms and seek a consultation with a TCM physician to learn how to breeze through this phase in life.

Speak to us to learn how to ease and manage menopause symptoms.