Many women come to us struggling with challenging menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, depression, anxiety, and anger. In dialogues with our patients, we find that often these symptoms are endured under an assumption that they are an inevitable part of life, per witnessed experiences of their predecessors.
However, we want every woman to know that suffering is not a requirement, that relief is possible, that menopause is not a disorder; it is a profound energetic transformation.
Chinese medicine can profoundly help restore harmony and balance to the body through the use of herbs, acupuncture treatments and lifestyle adjustments, easing menopausal symptoms and making this transition naturally smooth and effortless. Meditation can also deeply assist during this period.
The Lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine – “Second Spring”
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this period is beautifully named “Second Spring”— a time of change, renewal, and profound personal transformation. Just as our first “spring” marks the onset of fertility and menstruation, this “Second Spring” signifies the cessation of menstruation and an invitation for women to prioritize self-nourishment.
This transformative shift, much like puberty, involves significant physiological changes and can feel like an emotional, psychological, and physical rollercoaster. Yet, each woman’s experience is unique, offering an opportunity to embrace a new stage of wisdom — a new season in life. To put it bluntly, what feels like going crazy is a gateway to the unfolding of sanity.
Imbalance of Yin/Yang & Kidney Deficiency
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), menopausal symptoms are primarily attributed to kidney deficiency, which in turn affects the heart, liver, and spleen. This kidney deficiency is characterized by a decrease in Yin, a nourishing and moisturizing essence, as hormone levels change and kidney function declines with age. The reduction in Yin (Water) leads to a relative increase in Yang (Fire), causing symptoms like hot flashes and sweating.
Treating Menopause
As each woman is different, TCM takes a comprehensive stance to diagnosis, viewing the body as an interconnected system, considering every aspect of a woman’s life: past and present lifestyle, diet, medical history, menstrual cycle history, trauma, and stress levels. The focus is on treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Since TCM considers menopause a natural slowing down in kidney function causing an imbalance of Yin and Yang, the treatment focuses on enriching the kidney function and rebalancing of Yin and Yang energies. The approach aims to nourish Yin, clear excess heat, and restore overall bodily balance. This involves supporting the connection between the Heart (Fire element) and Kidney (Water element) as sufficient Water element can balance the heat and reduce hot flashes, night sweats, night urination as well as significantly improve the quality of sleep.
Acupuncture Medicine
Acupuncture applies needles to specific points along the body’s energy lines, or meridians, to activate the body’s natural healing response. Needles help to reach deep awareness of the complex parasympathetic system and connect this system to and through the tensions in the body. Deep tensions play a significant role in isolating imbalances from the awareness of the body’s innate restorative and healing intelligence. The more tension and pressure is held in the body, the more the loss of sensitivity and awareness of the emotional depth. This powerful energy medicine discovered that each organ is associated with a specific emotion and element: Kidneys (Water Element) with Fear, Heart (Fire Element) with Joy, Spleen (Earth Element ) with Worry/Anxiety, Liver (Wood Element) with Anger/Resentment, Lungs (Metal Element) with Grief/Sadness, etc. With that, energy sensitive people typically feel a nearly instant deepening into the body as well as release as soon as the first needle is inserted, while others ultimately report a deep sense of relaxation. Even the energy in the room becomes palpably more grounded as the body’s intelligence is finally able to reach places that have become inaccessible due to tensions.
During menopause, hormones dramatically shift, and the body, much like during puberty, might feel disoriented. Energetically, the body needs reassurance that these changes are nothing to worry about. Acupuncture can do just that!
Diet Plays a Significant Role
Consuming nourishing and cooling foods can be incredibly beneficial. Focus on moisturizing, Yin-nourishing foods like mung beans, radish, black sesame seeds, pine nuts, dark leafy greens, black and kidney beans, and millet.
It’s best to avoid spicy foods, onion, garlic, ginger, and similar warming ingredients. Limit caffeine and alcohol, as both are warming and dehydrating, which exasperate hot flashes.
Beyond professional treatment, many self-care practices can support this transition into your Second Spring. Engage in activities that bring you joy, including meditation, walks in nature and adequate rest.
Elevate your perception of menopause—it is your liberation – Your Second Spring!