Menopause is no stranger to females. After you experience puberty, pregnancy, and maternity, the next critical moment will come around 50-55 years of age.
Statistics show, for 85 percent of women who actually experience menopause symptoms, symptoms will last about one to two years; a quarter of women with severe symptoms must seek medical attention. Some women will even have symptoms lasting over five years. During menopause, due to less protection of female hormones in the bloodstream, the risks of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis are higher than normal. Other various physical and physiological conditions are not necessarily a direct cause of menopause, but are related and could also occur at this time. Western medicine treats menopause in several different ways: female hormone supplements, psychological understanding of menopause, emotional control, and recommended exercise along with a nutritional diet.
Most women can experience major symptoms that seriously affect their quality of life. These can include:
- Insomnia
- Hot flashes / night sweats
- Dizziness / headaches / memory loss
- Depression / anxiety
- Weight gain (with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar)
- Palpitations (cardiovascular disease)
- Osteoporosis
- Skin problems
- Unexplained body pain
In traditional Chinese medicine theory, menopause is divided into six diagnosed types:
- Kidney yin deficiency
- Kidney yang deficiency
- Heart and liver fire excess
- Spleen and kidney yang deficiency
- Liver and kidney yin deficiency
- Disharmony between heart and kidney
Although there are six different types of organ problems, they may have the same treatment rules. The basic rules are to promote energy levels, enrich the blood, promote yang energy and nourish yin. Adjusting the organs of yin and yang to a balanced state can slow down the decline in female hormone levels.
The Nutritional Recommendations
- Red beans: enhance the cardiovascular system and increase blood circulation.
- Soybeans: improve the symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis. They also maintain the softness of the vascular system and nourish dry skin and hair.
- Black beans: promote kidney energy and promote the metabolism of cholesterol, lowering blood pressure to prevent cardiovascular disease. They also slow down the aging process.
- Cherries: help improve blood circulation and enhance physical fitness, which can delay aging and reduce uric acid.
- Tomatoes: anti-inflammatory and prevent hypertension and anemia. They also keep the brain cells active.
- Corn: improves blood circulation, promotes overall body energy, removes toxins and enhances metabolism. It is also an antioxidant and will help enhance memory.
Acupuncture helps us to be beautiful, from inside out.