Menstrual Irregularities and PMS

Although premenstrual Syndrome and Menstrual Irregularities are modern Western disease categories, Chinese doctors have been treating what they call "menstrual movement diseases" (PMS) and "menstrual diseases" (menstrual irregularities) for millennia.

Menstrual diseases consist of menstrual cycles where the "period" or menses are coming "late", "early, or "at no fixed date". Menstrual diseases also include situations where there is heavy uterine bleeding during the time of the period and/or continuous uterine bleeding at irregular intervals (menorrhagia/ metorrhagia); absence of periods (amenorrhea); painful periods (dysmenorrhea); ovarian cysts; and endometriosis.

"Menstrual movement diseases", aka, PMS, is best characterized by the array of possible symptoms that may accompany "this time of the month" such as:

- Nervous tension and Fatigue
- Breast Distention, Pain & Lumps
- Abdominal Distention and Pain
- Headache & Body Pain
- Diarrhea, Vomiting and Nausea
- Constipation, Bloating
- Nosebleed, Bloody stools &/or urine
- Fever, Asthma or Recurrent Colds
- Rashes & Acne
- Changes in Appetite & Cravings
- Changes in Emotions & Irritability

According to Chinese medical theory, there are very definite mechanisms accounting for each and every one of these premenstrual symptoms, as well as, for the "menstrual disease situations", mentioned above. There are time-tested treatments for each of these. These may include acupuncture &/or Chinese herbal medicine. Treatment for the "menstrual movement diseases"/PMS and for the menstrual irregularities will begin starting somewhere during the woman's 28-30 day menstrual cycle, and is dependent on how her symptoms are manifesting. These treatments are combined with dietary changes, exercise and lifestyle modifications.

Typically, the traditional Chinese medical course of treatment for PMS and menstrual irregularities spans 3-4 menstrual cycles (= 3-4 months) but can also span 6-12 months (depending on severity of situation), with the number of days each month requiring treatment declining with each cycle.

And the ultimate goal of this therapy, is to teach the woman what foods to avoid and how to arrange her life so as to help manage her own condition(s) and help avoid any recurring PMS symptoms. In addition, using the theories and diagnostic methods of Chinese Medicine, we will be able to advise each woman on what vitamins and minerals to use to make her therapy even more effective.

Such treatment does not merely suppress symptoms and regulate menstrual cycles, but rebalances the entire body's mechanism, thus resulting in vibrant good health and a renewed sense of poise and harmony.

Using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, each of the major organs and bowels are brought into harmony, as well as, the woman's Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids. Western medicine describes the mechanisms of PMS and Menstrual irregularities in terms of hormones, prostaglandins, and neurotransmitters. While all of these are true and valid, such biochemical descriptions do not enlighten and empower women.

Although the Chinese concepts of Qi and Blood, Yin and Yang, the five elements, and twelve organs and bowels may appear primitive and unscientific, they nonetheless have proven their value in professional clinical practice for over 100 generations. Using these concepts, women are enlightened and empowered on a very practical human level. No one can control their secretion of estradiol, but "liver qi stagnation" can be remedied by exercise, relaxation and the right acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.