Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a very long documented tradition of paying attention to women’s reproductive health, whereas modern Western biomedical research was relatively late in systematically studying women as a distinct population.
TCM has a remarkably long historical tradition of treating women’s health as a distinct area of medicine, particularly menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum health and menopause. By contrast, although Western medicine has also treated women’s reproductive diseases for centuries, the treatments were barbaric and cruel, and modern Western biomedical research was relatively late in systematically including women in clinical research and investigating sex-specific differences in disease and treatment. The major institutional correction occurred primarily from the 1990s onward, with the establishment of dedicated women’s-health research programmes. This historical difference is a legitimate reason to study the Chinese medical tradition seriously.
TCM understands a healthy cycle as a coordinated movement of Qi and Blood. These are traditional concepts used to describe vitality, nourishment and circulation, rather than direct equivalents to Western medical anatomy.
From this perspective, the Liver is associated with the smooth movement of Qi and emotions, while the Spleen is linked with transformation, nourishment and holding Blood. The Kidneys are connected with deeper reserves, reproduction and long-term vitality. When these functions are under strain, periods may become painful, irregular, very heavy, scanty or accompanied by pronounced premenstrual symptoms.
Stress, disrupted sleep, demanding work, grief, illness, poor diet, under-fuelling and the natural transitions of life can all affect how a cycle feels.
Women’s Health in Traditional Chinese Medicine: a Whole-Person View
In TCM, rather than assuming that one person’s experience is the same as another’s, a consultation looks at the detail: the timing and nature of a cycle, pain patterns, sleep, stress, digestion, temperature and the emotions that accompany the periods.
This individual approach matters. Two people may both describe difficult periods, yet one may feel exhausted and cold while another experiences tension, irritability and poor sleep. Their support should not necessarily look the same.
Acupuncture is often chosen by people seeking complementary support for symptoms such as menstrual discomfort, stress, sleep disruption or the changes around perimenopause and menopause. Treatment is always personally tailored, with space to discuss what is happening in your life as well as what is happening in your body.
Would you like to learn more about your menstrual cycles work from a TCM lens?
Join The Inner Seasons, an educational workshop on the 17th of October at 3pm in Manchester!
In this 90-minute interactive workshop you will learn:
- The 4 Seasons/phases of your cycle, and what happens in each phase.
- The wisdom of each phase.
- Nutrition and lifestyle tips for optimum, symptom-free cycles.
- Simple acupressure points to maintain hormonal balance and alleviate symptoms.
You will learn basic traditional Chinese medicine theory from an experienced acupuncturist.
I hope to see you there!
At Ana Guerrero’s Holistic Wellbeing, the focus is not on reducing you to a symptom or a diagnosis. Acupuncture may form part of a broader, considered plan that recognises tension, emotional load, dietary habits, rest, movement and your personal health history.
If you are curious about acupuncture for women’s wellbeing, begin with a conversation. Feeling heard, informed and cared for is a valuable part of any treatment journey.
Be well,
Ana Guerrero.
