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Women’s Health

Lin has a particular interest in women’s health, and she uses acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to treat a wide range of gynaecological and obstetric conditions.

In Chinese philosophy, yin-yang theory is the fundamental law of the universe. The inter-change between yin and yang explains everything. It applies to women’s menstrual cycle as well.

The balance between estrogen and progesterone ensures normal female reproductive ability. Disorders, such as irregular menstruation, endometriosis, even infertility, may occur when there is an imbalance between these two hormones.

Magically, there is a bridge over Traditional Chinese Medicine and conventional medicine. The changes of two hormones during different phrase of menstrual cycle correspond to the changes of yin and yang during each phrase. Details see chart below:

Phrase Predominant Hormone BBT Yin-Yang
Menstruation phrase Estrogen Low temperature Yin grows
Post menstrual phrase(follicular phrase) Estrogen Low temperature phrase with lowest temperature Extreme yin ready to transform to yang
Ovulation phrase Estrogen Progesterone Highest temperature Yin has transformed to yang
Pre-menstrual phrase(luteal phrase) Progesterone High temperature Yang grows

Based on this theory, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are tailored to each stage of menstrual cycle. Women are advised to record basal body temperature (BBT) seriously, alongside with quality of cervical mucus, characteristics of period, PMS symptoms, ovulatory sensation, breast tenderness, moods, and other physical and emotional signs.

Further reading – Women’s Health archive