By Dr. Tanya Smith, Chinese Medicine
Are you or a woman you love part of the 80% of us who experience the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)? For many, PMS can mean irritability, sadness, acne, bloating, cramps, breast tenderness or other discomfort before or during menstruation; for some, it can also mean debilitating pain. Whatever the severity, PMS isn’t a natural part of being a woman and deserves attention. From the perspective of Chinese Medicine, there are four main causes of PMS with clear, natural remedies to address each.
Menstruation is good for you
It can be common in conventional medicine to prescribe cycle-stopping birth control pills for women with severe pre-menstrual signs, and heavy or painful menstrual flow. This may ease symptoms in the short-term but no research has been done into the long-term effects on reproductive, sexual and overall female health. On the other hand, there is a growing body of research that says menstruation has significant health benefits.
In September of 2004, the Canadian Society for Menstrual Cycle Research presented a scientific forum to the New York Academy of Sciences proposing that the menstrual cycle be considered the fifth vital sign of women's health. "The menstrual cycle is a window into the general health and well-being of women, and not just a reproductive event," said professor of obstetrics & gynecology and pediatrics Paula Hillard, M.D. "It can indicate the status of bone health, heart disease, and ovarian failure, as well as long-term fertility."
Ovulation and menstruation aren’t just about reproduction – normal ovulatory menstruation is associated with healthy bones, hearts, breasts and sex drives, as well as better thyroid function and greater immunity. Cycle-stopping contraceptives do reduce or eliminate menstrual bleeding, but also suppress the complex, elegant, important and natural hormonal interplay of the menstrual cycle.
Chinese Medicine to the rescue
From the point of view of Chinese Medicine, menstrual pain and PMS have only a few root causes and these have known, proven, natural remedies:
There may be blood that has stagnated in the uterus and it is causing pain when it tries to move out. Dang Quai is an excellent herb in a formulation to move blood.
There may be an insufficiency of blood and the uterus is not being properly nourished so is unable to do its job efficiently which causes pain. Leafy greens, bee pollen and blue-green algae are great blood builders, taken all month.
There may be a stasis of Liver energy. The Liver system is responsible for the smooth movement of energy through the genitals and reproductive system so any stasis can eventually lead to blood stagnation in the uterus. Exercise and stress reduction are powerful ways to move Liver energy.
There may be cold in the uterus that is blocking the free flow of blood and energy. In these cases, the application of warmth temporarily soothes symptoms, and moxibustion (a Chinese medical therapy) and cinnamon are excellent ways to warm the uterus internally.
A doctor of Chinese Medicine can work with you to determine what’s happening with your body, and set you on the proper path toward healing.
Lifestyle changes you can make to heal PMS
“If there is pain, there is no free flow, if there is free flow, there is no pain” - Chinese Proverb
When we talk about flow, there are a number of ways that we may be inhibiting the “free flow” of energy and blood in our bodies and our lives:
- Inappropriate Diet - eating in a way that does not support your constitution
- Imbalanced Emotions - there is a connection between your heart and your uterus called the Bao Mai
- Exercise - either a lack or too much
- Excessive Mental and Physical Stress
Four steps toward lifestyle change:
- Consciously choose foods that make your body feel good. Be kind to yourself and commit time to experiences that bring you joy.
- Take an inventory of all the physical and emotional stressors in your life and make a plan for eliminating as many as you can and addressing the rest.
- Get moving and listen to your body – it will tell you how much exercise it needs. Walk, rollerblade, take a yoga or spinning class, get a tennis partner.. whatever kind of activity fills your spirit, works your muscles and clears your mind.
- Begin a meditation practice. Even if you can only do a minute a day in the beginning, that minute of conscious breathing and personal quiet can be profound.
