Treating menopausal syndrome in Oriental medicine
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By Lee Sung-hun
Generally, females in their late ‘40s undergo significant changes in terms of the primary functions of their ovaries, which results in the reduction in female hormonal production and the cessation of fertility. This is called “menopause,” or “climacteric.”Sometimes it is known as “perimenopause” refers to the three to four years of physiological and mental changes which happen prior to and after menopause. The oldest medical book in Oriental medicine, the “Internal Classic” states that a female body undergoes changes every seven years, and that after 49 the vessel responsible for pregnancy loses its vitality and thus menstruation ceases and the female can no longer bear a child. (Vessels in Oriental medicine are defined as the conduits through which qi and blood pass.)
Such reduction of female hormones during the climacteric results in various physiological and psychological symptoms that are commonly referred to as menopausal (or climacteric) syndrome. One of the most common symptoms is a hot flash, due to fluctuations in the autonomous nervous systems. Approximately 50 percent of women in menopausal transition experience hot flashes — the momentary sensation of heat that is usually accompanied by a red, flushed face. It can be a nuisance in social situations as it can happen without a warning. Other symptoms include heat in and around face, head, and neck, sweating, cold sensation and increased heart rate.
In terms of musculoskeletal organs, patients can complain of shoulder, head, back and joint pains. Psychological symptoms include anxiety, insomnia and a feeling of helplessness. The skin may feel dry and the hands and feet may feel numb. Low estrogen levels results in atrophy of the vagina and urinary tract which can be symptomized by vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, lack of sex drive, frequent urination and incontinence. Other symptoms may include osteoporosis and hyperlipidemia.
As mentioned above, Oriental medicine describes a female’s physiological changes in terms of seven year cycles, which is based on the fluctuations in the kidneys. In Oriental medicine, as the kidneys are the organs where the essence of all our internal organs gathers, a woman’s period begins as the kidneys become energetic, and accordingly, once they lose their vitality, periods also stop.
Therefore, the principal treatment for climacteric syndrome in Oriental medicine focuses on replenishing vitality to the kidneys. If the patient is easily surprised and her heart paces quickly, it is deemed as issues with her heart’s vitality and the treatment aims to promote the qi flow between the heart and the kidneys. If the patient is psychologically tense, irascible and suffers from depression, the qi of the liver is deemed to be congested, which needs to be remedied.
The treatment for climacteric syndrome involves combinations of acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. Studies have shown that acupuncture and/or moxibustion on the acupuncture points that control the kidney’s vitality, Yin-qi, and the digestion can prove effective for patients with hot flashes.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that involves estrogen and progestin have been adopted by some to manage the symptoms, but the known risks associated with this prevents women with fibroid, liver or gallbladder disease and tromboflebitis from using such therapy. HRT is also known to increase the probability of breast cancer and cardiovascular illness. If a woman is in the known risk group for HRT or simply against it, Oriental treatment can be a viable and effective option.
Menopause does not mean that the woman is losing her womanhood. In the seasons of a female’s life, the perimenopausal period can be viewed as the transition into the autumn season, and the climacteric syndrome is simply an adjustment that the body shows due to the sudden changes.
Many of us catch a cold or flu during seasonal changes. One way of looking at the climacteric is to treat it as if it were a mere cold caught during the course of life. Such an outlook is helpful in keeping a positive outlook for the next stage of life
Non-strenuous exercises such as walking, jogging, cycling and swimming can help strengthen the bones and muscles. It is recommended that patient take fresh vegetable and fruit everyday along with milk and whole-boned fish to replenish calcium. Tofu and other soybean foods, and seaweeds are also known to improve hormone levels. In treating menopausal syndrome, the help of the family can be quite essential, and they should attempt to understand the major changes the patient is going through.
The writer practices Korean Oriental medicine at the UN Oriental Medical Clinic in Hannam-dnog, Seoul. He can be reached at sung_hun@naver.com.