what causes the symptoms of menopause and can Chinese medicine help m

Recently, I heard of the dangers of taking hormonal therapy and I´m looking for natural solutions.

I would like to know what causes the symptoms of menopause and can Chinese medicine help me?

 

Menopause is caused by a decline in the secretion of estrogen and progesterone from the ovaries at the end of the fertile stage in women.

Lack of estrogen in the body causes weakness in vital energy and dryness of mucous tissue resulting in symptoms like weakness, depression, lowered sexual drive and dryness in the vagina.

As a result of the lack of estrogen the Pituitary gland in the brain secretes large amount of the hormones FSH and LH  in a vain attempt to "restart" the ovaries.

These hormones cause symptoms such as heat flashes, insomnia, irritability and restlessness.

Hormonal therapy includes pills or plasters containing synthetic estrogen (sometimes together with progesterone) in order to prevent the excess secretion from the pituitary gland thus subduing the menopausal symptoms.

Recent research has shown that these hormones greatly increase the risk of cancer in later years.

 

Chinese medicine sees menopause as a natural phase women go through in life when the years of fertility have passed.

At this stage the body needs to learn to divert the energy invested, until now, in the reproductive system to different paths of development –paths of a spiritual nature.

For this reason menopause is characterized not only by physical and emotional symptoms, but also by the arise of spiritual questions about "who am I" and about establishing new priorities in life.

This process can take years and be accompanied by many different signs and symptoms caused by the difficulty of the body-mind to adjust to this new situation and change itself in accordance.

Acupuncture treatment awakens the awareness of the body-mind to this change and guides the patient through the process in the most efficient manner.

On the physical level acupuncture can mediate the hormonal imbalance of the Pituitary gland and support production of natural Estrogen in the body in fatty tissues instead of the dysfunctional ovaries.

On the mental level acupuncture promotes relaxation and serenity and enables spiritual growth and self acceptance towards the onward journey on the path of life.

 

In addition to acupuncture, the menopausal stage of life requires changes in diet in order supply the body with sources for the production of Estrogen.

Some examples of foods containing these "phyto-estrogens" are: tofu and soy-milk, flax seeds and plants like Black Cohosh or Dong Kuei (which are the basis of OTC natural medicines for menopause).

In addition it is recommended to reduce the intake of foods that create heat in the body like coffee, chocolate, smoked or canned meat, deep-fried cooking and hot spices.

In conclusion – Chinese Medicine is very effective in the treatment of menopause and can bring about a new balance of the body-mind including the disappearance of the accompanying physical and mental symptoms.