You want to balance your hormones

Hormonal complaints such as fatigue, sleep problems, mood swings, menstrual complaints or menopausal symptoms are often caused by a disturbance in the balance in the body. With acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy, we look at the underlying pattern. We are also working to restore the balance between Water and Fire Elements, with special attention to the Wood Element. This is how we support hormonal balance, energy and rest of the body and mind.

Hormones and Chinese Medicine

Hormones are signaling substances that control many body processes, such as sleep, digestion, energy, mood and fertility. The way in which the body deals with stress is also largely due to hormones. Because their influence is so broad, hormonal complaints are often diverse and cannot always be traced directly to one cause.

Common complaints include:

• Fatigue
• Cold hands and feet
• Cold abdomen
• Mood swings
• Irritability, anxiety, or worrying
• Gloom or depressive feelings
• Sleep problems
• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Skin and hair problems (acne, hair loss, dry or oily skin)
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

These complaints indicate that the body is not functioning efficiently. The balance is disrupted, so that processes no longer run at the right time or to the right extent. Hormones themselves are rarely the only problem. This often involves too much, too little or untimely production and release of these substances.

In Chinese medicine, we look at hormonal complaints through the framework of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. This creates a broader and more sophisticated picture of where the disruption lies, and we can work specifically on recovery - without forcing the body with hormone medication, but by supporting its self-regulation ability.

Because stress and stress hormones have a major influence on the hormonal balance, stress reduction is an important part of the treatment.

Menstruation and fertility

A well-functioning hormone balance is reflected, among other things, in a period that is largely symptom-free. If there is an imbalance, you may encounter symptoms such as:

• Irregular periods
• Heavy or very light menstruation, sometimes with clots
• Pain and cramping
• PMS (irritability, mood swings)
• Decreased fertility
• Change of bowel movements around menstruation
• Changes in secretion
• Bloated stomach before or during menstruation
• Sore or tight breasts
• Acne or skin complaints around the cycle

In Chinese Medicine, this often involves a blockade of Qi (energy), blood or body fluids. These blockages can be caused by stress, cold, digestive problems or hormonal imbalance. With acupuncture and herbs, we focus on removing these blockages and restoring a healthy flow.

When you receive counseling with a view to pregnancy, we closely monitor these signals. Reducing symptoms often indicates a better balance in the body and a greater chance of pregnancy.

Common patterns of fertility problems

There are several patterns in Chinese medicine that may play a role in reduced fertility. A common pattern is:

• Waste Accumulation (Damp)
• Cold in the lower abdomen
• Decreased blood flow (Blood stagnation)

This pattern is also regularly seen in complaints such as endometriosis, PCOS, severe menstrual pain and an irregular cycle. These complaints are often complex, but with a careful diagnosis and a combined approach of acupuncture and herbal therapy, improvement is possible.

Scientific evidence, Wen Jing Tang in case of abdominal cold

research shows that Unkei-to helps balance the hormones. Ovulation and the development of the endometrium are improving, and the second half of the cycle is getting stronger and longer. In most women, the luteal phase recovered. As a result of the treatment, approximately half of the women with a pregnancy wish to become pregnant.

Herbal therapy for hormonal complaints

Chinese herbal therapy plays an important role in supporting hormonal balance. Herbs work deeply on the body and can help with, among other things:

• Regulating hormone release
• Supporting the digestive system
• Reducing inflammation and waste
• Improving blood flow
• Strengthening Yin, Yang, Blood and Energy

The herbal formula is always tailored to your personal pattern and can be adjusted throughout the process. Especially when it comes to hormonal and fertility complaints, the combination of acupuncture and herbs enhances the treatment result.

Support with a medical process

Ideally, you should start acupuncture and/or herbal therapy 2—3 months before a medical process (such as IVF or ICSI), so that the body is as prepared as possible. If this is not possible, treatment can also provide support during the process.

Among other things, we focus on:

• Improving hormone balance and stress regulation
• Stimulating blood flow to the uterus
• Pre-and post-transfer support
• Ovulation induction
• Improving oocyte quality and maturation
• Supporting the endometrium
• Promoting implantation
• Improving sperm quality in men

Research shows that both acupuncture if herbal therapy may increase the chance of pregnancy with IVF, even if earlier attempts were unsuccessful.

Menopause

Menopause is a profound physical transition. This phase requires a lot from the body, and when the reserves are insufficient, complaints can occur. In Chinese Medicine, we often see a decrease in Yin, especially Liver and Kidney (Wood and Water Element). This affects blood, body fluids and temperature regulation

Common complaints include:

• Fatigue
• Concentration problems and brain fog
• Weight gain
• Hot flushes and a feeling of warmth
• Night sweats
• Restless or shallow sleep
• Anxiety, gloom, irritability
• Decreased stress tolerance
• Dry skin, mouth, or vagina
• Skin complaints and hair loss
• Sexual pain, decreased libido
• Joint problems

With the treatment, we support the body in building energy and restoring balance, so that this natural transition can be smoother.

Male fertility

Fertility is not just a female issue. Hormones, lifestyle and physical balance also play a major role in men. Chinese medicine mainly focuses on the Kidney (Water Element), Liver (Wood Element) and the Heart (Fire Element).

Common patterns include:

• Lack of energy in the lower body
• Too little heat (Yang shortage)
• Too much heat or inflammation
• Stress and emotional strain

The treatment focuses, among other things, on:

• Improving sperm quality and quantity
• Supporting hormonal balance (including testosterone)
• Improving blood flow in the pelvis and abdomen
• Stress relief and relaxation
• Libido and help with erection problems

We do this with a combination of acupuncture, herbal therapy and lifestyle advice. This approach can support natural conception and as an addition to medical processes such as IVF or ICSI.

Nutrition tips: get started with herbs

Nutrition plays an important role in healthy aging and is also a major influence on hormone balancing. With simple, accessible Chinese herbs, you can support your body on a daily basis.Below are examples of medicinal foods that are easy to use in the kitchen.

You can add the following food to soup, porridge, or make a nice tea:

• Hei Zhi Ma (Black Sesame Seed)
  • Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin, helps with constipation, dryness and fatigue
• Gou Qi Zi (goji berry)
  • Nourishes Blood and Yin, supports energy, eyes and emotional resilience
• Sang Shen (mulberry berry, black)
  • Nourishes Blood and Yin, supports bowel movements and calms emptiness and anxiety
• He Tao Ren (walnut)
  • Strengthens Kidney Yang, supports brain, energy and lower back
• Shan Yao (Chinese yam)
  • Strengthens the spleen & kidney, supports digestion and hormone balance
• Da Zao (Chinese date/jujube)
  • Nourishes Qi & Blood, calms emotions, supports digestion

Continue reading

Want to know more about this? Then read:

• Our blog about the menopauze.
• Our blog about PMS