Good morning readers,

Today I’m going to talk about the mood changes that occur during menopause, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

As we all know, in Chinese Medicine the functions of growing, development, reproduction, aging and death are all linked to the Kidney. In this way, a woman’s fertile time is directly related to a good Kidney functioning.

I have already written and recorded a lot (in Portuguese), on the reasons why the Kidney loses its strength and vitality before the expected. Overwork, lacking proper resting, emotional stress, bad eating habits, are the main causes of Kidney fatigue before the age of 40 or 50 years, situations like this are very common and imposed by the modern lifestyle.

However, it’s also true that the Kidney’s energy physiologically wears off. It’s normal that humans age. But we do not need to accept menopause symptoms that hurt women’s health very badly.

We always talk a lot about hot flashes, famous sudden heat feelings that bother us particularly during night, accompanied with a lot of sweating. Nevertheless is important that we balance our emotions. Women in menopause often suffer from anxiety, depression, insomnia, mental agitation, sensation of life purpose loss.

Why does it happen?

The main energy related to natural aging and menopause is the Kidneys Yin Essence.

To Yin some other important questions are related, such as blood, marrow, cold, and more.

As a result, when Yin energy decreases, that is less marrow production and thus Spleen will lack raw material for blood production. Therefore, as the cold energy dashes away, what is left to the body are uncomfortable heat sensations, like the hot flashes.

As blood production is reduced, Heart suffers, it has a shortage on the most relevant substance for its job, keeping blood flow through all organs, therefore, it weakens itself. Weakened, it won’t be able to anchor the mind (shen), the situation which belongs in its command.

Thus, with a unanchored mind, the woman may have days of extreme agitation and anxiety, alternating with days of depression, lack of living desire, as if menopause brought with itself a wait for death sensation.

Consequently, we should teach all therapists and patients, that it ain’t enough, in Chinese Medicine, only tone Kidney Yin during menopause, when important system parts belong to Spleen and its ability and capacity to absorb food essences and blood transformation. That’s why, by toning the Kidney’s and Spleen’s Yin, we will give to Heart adequate substances for it’s normal functioning, and thus mental activity will be better balanced, controlled anxiety and more positive thoughts.

In order for this balance to exist, I suggest the following points: KI6, SP6 and PC6. Points such as: CV4, SP2 and HT7 can also be used. On auriculotherapy, we can use Shenmen, Kidney, Heart, Spleen and San Jiao points. 

A woman in menopause must comprehend that life isn’t over once she loses her procreation capacity. Once the patient calms down, all bad symptoms from this period shall disappear and the patient will find a new goal and new energy to live.

I hope all of you have understood and liked the explanations and tips.

My warmest regards.

Profa Fernanda Mara