Understanding PMS Through TCM

 By:  Dr. Eileen Park ND

80% of women in the US report experiencing unwanted symptoms before their period and for 5%, their symptoms are so severe that they are debilitated.  TCM looks at health and disease quite differently from conventional medicine as it organizes disease by patterns as opposed to definitive diagnoses. Though there are many TCM patterns that can contribute to PMS, one of the most common patterns is what we call Liver Qi Stagnation.

Watch the full video

 

Following are some notes to help you follow along with the video.

• PMS is known to be due to various factors such as diet & lifestyle that lead to:
  • hormonal imbalances (including stress hormones) and
  • neurotransmitter imbalances (mood chemicals
• TCM looks at health and disease quite differently from conventional medicine as it organizes disease by patterns as opposed to definitive diagnoses.
• Each TCM pattern accounts for the connection between the mind and the body.
• Though there are many TCM patterns that contribute to PMS, one of the most common patterns is what we call
• Liver Qi Stagnation.
  • Liver Qi stagnation means that the energy flow is stuck!
• Symptoms of Liver Qi stagnation include:
  • fatigue,
  • bloating,
  • headaches,
  • irritability,
  • depression,
  • mood swings,
  • breast tenderness,
  • pain & cramping,
  • constipation
• Causes of Liver Qi Stagnation may include:
  1. Emotional:
     • frustration,
     • anger,
     • feeling “stuck”
  2. Life style:
     • lack of sleep (especially before 11)
     • Diet:  According to TCM, the foods that can contribute to Liver Qi stagnation include:
       •   Increased caffeine,
       • refined sugar,
       • alcohol,
       • red meat,
       • fried/fatty food
• What you can do
  • Find underlying root cause
  • “Shake it off”—dance, exercise, sing…,
  • Decrease your load during that week
  • Ensure you go to bed early
  • Consider supplementing with nutrients such as vitamin B6 & Magnesium
  • Avoid foods that can contribute to Liver Qi stagnation
  • Consider changing your outlook on PMS and your period
• Other Naturopathic Tools:
  • Herbs
  • Castor oil packs
  • Acupuncture!!!