Menopause

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This is a general article that explains menopause from a Western standpoint

and lists some of the underlying TCM imbalances that can cause problems

during menopause.

 

This is a general article, and some things in the article need to be

elaborated on.

 

For one thing, soy products are NOT the panacea for menopausal and other

health problems that some in the West make them out to be. Soy beans need

to prepared in the proper manner, or they can cause problems. If one is

considering using soy products, please do some research on the pro's and

con's.

 

What some people describe as natural hormones could, in many cases, more

aptly be described as precussors to natural hormones. They provide

important building blocks that the body can turn into hormones.

 

Greacen quotes Subhuti Dharmananda on the effects of certain Chinese herbs

on hormone levels: " Chinese herbs act by stimulating the production of

hormones, altering the condition of hormone receptors or changing the rate

of catabolism " (breakdown) " of hormones, rather than by providing the

hormones or hormone analogs that function the same as hormones. Greacen goes

on to explain, " Many of the ingredients in formulas may have little or no

hormonal effects, although the effect of the whole formula will

substantially increase hormone levels, " and " Chinese herbs work by improving

the function of aging organs and glands. " Very often herbs and acupuncture

work indirectly, restoring the balance that enables the body to work

correctly.

 

Greacen also touches on the variable effects of some herbs. She cites

Cinnamon and Hoelen Formula having no significant effects on hormonal levels

when used by women with uterine fibroids. But anovulatory women using the

formula saw increases in FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and in

estradiol, and started ovulating again.

 

The variable effects of some (not all) herbs is an important concept to keep

in mind. A good example in the West is the herb echinacea which is NOT an

immune system booster but an immune system regulator. Echinacea does have

variable effects. It will boost sluggish immune systems, but it also will

act to tone-down over-active immune system. Thus, echinacea can be used

both to fight infection but also to help allergies.

 

The article also touches on the effects of Chinese medicine on osteoporosis

(a condition not limited to post-menopausal women).

 

I want to touch on what Greacen wrote about menopausal symptoms with an

underlying Kidney Yang Deficiency: " These women really need hormonal support

and are frequently already on HRT " (hormone replacement therapy). A causual

reading of the paragraph could leave one with the impression that these

women absolutely need HRT, and nothing else will work in their cases. Not

so. Most of these cases can be improved and even resolved without HRT once

the underlying Kidney Yang Deficiency is identified and addressed. (Note:

TCM is not the only answer in all cases. There are going to be some people

and some conditions for whom Western allopathic medicine is the best

solution.)

 

Anyone considering DHEA replacement should do some research. DHEA may not

be the safest alternative for post-menopausal women (and some other

individuals) who may do better on pregnenalone.

 

Rx (Radix, root of) Dioscoreae Oppositae, aka Shan Yao, aka Chinese wild

yam, is rich in a steroid saponin called diosgenin. In the body, diosgenin

is metabolized into pregnenolone. Depending on what the body needs, the

pregnenolone will then be turned into either progesterone or DHEA. The wild

yam doesn't contain either pregnenolone, progesterone, or DHEA. It contains

a chemical, diosgenin, which can be turned into pregnenolone by the body,

which in turn can become progesterone or DHEA.

 

Shan Yao's primary classification in TCM is as a Yin tonic herb. But, it

also is Yin tonic and also will astringe (keep from disipating, leaking out)

the Kidney Essence (Jing).

 

All yam products tend to have these properties, including Mexican wild yam

and the yams one can buy in the supermarket. Sweet potatoes do not have

these properties, so make sure you get yams and not sweet potatoes if you're

looking for a Qi tonic food or one with the particular properties listed

above.

 

Many of the Qi tonic herbs appear to benefit endocrine function.

 

http://spanda.com/articles/hormone.html

 

Victoria

 

 

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