Irregular menstruation treatment can offer solutions to your overall health. By tuning into your cycle, you gain important insights into finding balance.
In one of my articles, I discussed the nurturing power of Yin energy and its role in reproductive health. Now, we will explore how the Yang energy of the second half of your cycle contributes to the bigger picture of your menstrual health.
Yang energy, which dominates the second part of your cycle, is all about warmth and activity, much like the hormone progesterone. Progesterone, produced by the corpus luteum after ovulation, plays a vital role in preparing your uterus for a potential pregnancy.
It also influences your appetite, energy levels, and mood. Together, Yin and Yang bring balance and vitality to your reproductive health, each from their unique perspectives.
Understanding Yang Energy and Its Role in Menstrual Health Awareness
In the second half of your cycle, Yang energy steps in, bringing warmth and activity, the perfect combination to keep things moving in this phase. This energy is connected closely to progesterone. Therefore, being in tune with how progesterone shows up in your body can help increase your menstrual health awareness.
Progesterone doesn’t just prepare your uterus for a potential pregnancy; it also impacts your mood and energy levels, which are all part of your overall menstrual health picture.
In Chinese medicine, Yang energy is about the active, dynamic forces that keep metabolism, circulation, digestion, and movement in check. These elements are essential for reproductive processes, such as:
Ovulation
Fertilisation
Implantation
The development of the foetus
Knowing how these work together helps you understand your cycle’s needs and when it might be nudging you to take action.
A helpful way to do this is by focusing on warming foods and lifestyle choices that align with Yang energy. For example, did you know progesterone is considered a "warm" hormone? This warmth shows a slight rise in your basal body temperature after ovulation. By leaning into warming foods and daily habits, you support this natural shift, which can help you explore irregular menstruation treatment to keep your cycle steady.
Western research and Chinese medicine recommend adding root vegetables, white beans and potatoes to your meals during this time. These foods help stabilise blood sugar levels, which is essential because progesterone thrives on ever so slightly elevated glucose. This helps maintain the energy and warmth needed for this phase.
Additionally, incorporating these foods can help manage symptoms like bloating or fatigue, making the second half of your cycle more comfortable and balanced.
Natural Menstrual Health Through a TCM Lens
When we talk about natural menstrual health, Chinese medicine offers answers that feel grounded, balanced, and holistic. Unlike Western approaches, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the menstrual cycle as an interconnected process influenced by lifestyle, diet, sleep, and emotional well-being.
When it comes to gynaecology, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) has a wealth of knowledge, with writings on women's health and fertility dating back to the Shang dynasty (1500-1000 BC).
These ancient texts reflect a deep understanding of the female body and reproductive system, and their wisdom continues to inform modern TCM practices. It's a centuries-old system that prioritises irregular menstruation treatment through natural methods rather than solely treating symptoms.
TCM View on the Menstrual Cycle Menstrual Cycle Phases
In TCM, a healthy menstrual cycle is divided into five phases, as shown in the image below:
A typical cycle should be 28-30 days long and consistent. If your cycle falls within this range and remains regular, there’s no need for concern. However, any variations from this pattern can provide valuable clues about the common treatments for menstrual irregularities.
Premenstrual Syndrome
In TCM, addressing PMS through lifestyle changes is a key solution to irregular menstruation treatment. There should be no pain during your period, menstrual blood should be crimson red and clot-free, and PMS symptoms shouldn’t occur. I often find myself repeating this to my patients (at least three times!), but it’s true—PMS is not something you have to live with.
Understanding PMS through the lens of Chinese medicine is key to improving menstrual health awareness and eliminating unnecessary pain. In TCM, PMS results from imbalances in Qi (vital energy), blood, Yin-Yang, and organ systems.
Addressing these imbalances with techniques such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary recommendations, and lifestyle modifications can help achieve a pain-free, balanced cycle.
Effective Irregular Menstruation Treatment
One of the most appealing aspects of TCM is its emphasis on lifestyle. Unlike Western approaches that often compartmentalise health, TCM views each person holistically, tailoring recommendations to individual needs.
Here’s how to apply TCM’s lifestyle advice to each phase of your cycle:
Menstrual phase: Rest as much as possible, extend your sleep by at least an hour, and replenish blood loss with proper nutrition—think protein, eggs, leafy greens, and low sugar. This sets you up for a smoother cycle with fewer cravings later on.
Post-menstrual/pre-ovulation phase: Prepare your body for ovulation by ensuring you’re well-rested (sleeping at least eight hours per night), eating the right food, and gradually increasing activity. Adequate Yin and free-flowing blood are essential for successfully transitioning to the Yang phase.
Ovulation: Since ovulation is a process, Yin must be abundant enough to convert into Yang. Support your body with regular exercise, light meals, and plenty of relaxation, as Chinese and Western medicine agree that stress and ovulation don’t mix! So, prioritise some downtime.
Post-ovulation and premenstrual phase: Focus on stimulating circulation to build a strong endometrium and ensure a steady blood supply to the uterus. Increase your physical activity, stretch regularly, and nourish your body with warm, comforting foods like root vegetable casseroles. You can also up your spice levels.
By following these recommended TCM tips, you can align your lifestyle with your cycle, support and better understand what menstrual health is, and improve overall reproductive well-being.
Summary of Irregular Menstruation Treatment Through TCM
It’s all quite doable, isn’t it? And for most women, it doesn’t even require major changes. The key to a balanced, pain-free cycle in TCM lies in understanding and addressing any imbalances that may lead to irregularities.
By embracing your body's natural rhythms, you can reduce PMS and create a happier, healthier you. It’s about becoming your own best friend and accepting that your fertile years revolve around your menstrual cycle. With this understanding, you can fully support your body in what it's designed to do.
I’m so happy to share these Chinese medicine secrets for period problems with you. I hope you found this article helpful and didn’t feel overwhelmed by the information. If you’d like to dive deeper into cycle regulation, check out my article on menstrual cycle regulation, Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle Phases and Hormonal Changes.
If you know someone who could benefit from this information, please do them a favour and share this article with them.
Thanks for being here,
Irena x
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