Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a condition most women have experienced to some degree. Hormonal changes in the body strongly influence PMS, which can affect women of all ages; the symptoms can be particularly challenging during the early years of the menstrual cycle, following pregnancy, or during peri-menopause. If you experience severe cramps, mood swings, depression, or a lack of energy and concentration, consider trying Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to alleviate these symptoms.
TCM adopts a different approach to Western Medicine, with unique methods and terminology that might be unfamiliar to some. In this article, we’ll explore TCM theories about how the quality, flow, and temperature of blood contribute to PMS and how you can use TCM to treat the symptoms.
TCM and Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea refers to painful abdominal cramps that occur before, during, and after menstruation and affect the ability to work and perform daily activities. The primary causes of dysmenorrhea, according to TCM theory, are Liver Qi Stagnation, slow blood flow due to Qi Stagnation or accumulation of cold during the cycle, and deficiency of blood and Qi of the liver and kidneys.
Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis:
– Distending pain in the lower abdomen
– Scanty, unsmooth menstrual blood with purplish and blackish clots
– Distension in the chest, hypochondria, and breast
– Purplish tongue color
Attack by Cold-Damp during Menstruation:
– Cold pain in the lower abdomen
– Rejection of pressure
– Preference for warmth
– Scanty, unsmooth menstrual blood with purplish and blackish clots
– Cold body and limbs
– Aching joints
– Tongue with whitish greasy coat
Deficiency of Liver and Kidney:
– Vague pain in lower abdomen after menstruation
– Irregular menstruation
– Profuse or scanty menstrual blood with light-red color and no blood clot
– Aching and weakness of loins and knees
– Restless sleep
– Dizziness and tinnitus
– Reddish tongue with scanty coat
TCM and Premenstrual Tension Syndrome
Premenstrual tension syndrome involves the emotional and mood changes that often occur before menstruation. Common symptoms include short temper, depression, moodiness, sorrow, restlessness, and insomnia. According to TCM, the prime causes of this syndrome are Liver Qi Stagnation, which causes the Spleen to be deficient in producing blood to nourish the heart, mind, and spirit. Moreover, the mental depression transforms into what is metaphorically described as Fire, which heats body fluids and transforms them into Phlegm that disturbs the mind.
Liver Qi Stagnation Attacking the Spleen:
– Mental depression and irritability
– Oppression and distension in the chest
– No appetite
– Thin and greasy tongue coat
Phlegm-Fire Attacking the Head:
– Mania
– Headache
– Insomnia
– Flushed complexion and red eyes
– Oppression in the chest and dysphoria
– Reddish or deep red tongue
– Yellow thick or greasy tongue coat
TCM Diet Therapy for PMS
Diet plays a significant role in TCM. Incorporating specific foods and herbs into the daily diet can help alleviate PMS symptoms. Some recommend items to include are:
- Black soya beans
- Brown sugar
- Chinese dates
- Hawthorn fruit
- Eggs
- Sunflower seeds
- Rice wine
TCM Herbs for PMS Issues
TCM understands that one disease can have many causes and one cause can be linked to many diseases. Depending on your specific signs and symptoms, a TCM practitioner may prescribe various patent herbal formulas to help combat PMS and dysmenorrhea, such as Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, Tao Hong Si Wu Wan, Tong Jing Wan, Shao Fu Zhu Yu Wan, Nu Ke Ba Zhen Wan, Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan, or Xiao Yao Wan. These can help to alleviate menstrual issues like lower abdominal pain, mood swings, and irregular menstruation.
As TCM is based on many factors and not just Western remedies for PMS like medication, it’s important to locate a trained practitioner and receive a diagnosis of your specific syndrome type to receive the best care possible.
