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Dr. Maryam Mahanian, DTCM, RAc
Perimenopause and Menopause Support with Traditional Chinese medicine
Benefits of Traditional Chinese medicine for Perimenopause & Menopause:
Supports hormonal balance naturally
Helps reduce hot flashes and night sweats
Improves sleep quality
Supports emotional wellbeing, helping with mood swings, anxiety, irritability, & rage
Boosts energy levels and helps reduce fatigue
Eases brain fog & poor concentration, and improves mental clarity
Eases uncomfortable menstrual periods
Supports digestive health, improves metabolism, and reduces bloating & weight gain
Promotes healthy ageing
Encourages a smoother, more comfortable menopausal transition
Treats the whole person, not just symptoms
Personalised care tailored to your unique pattern and needs
Can be used on its own or alongside HRT
Perimenopause and menopause are natural stages in a woman’s life that reflect gradual hormonal changes over time. Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause and can begin several years before periods stop completely. During this time, hormone levels—especially estrogen and progesterone—can fluctuate, often causing noticeable changes in the menstrual cycle and overall wellbeing.
Perimenopause can begin in the early to mid-40s, and sometimes earlier. Periods may become irregular, heavier, lighter, or unpredictable. Many women also experience symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, poor sleep, mood changes, anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, or changes in libido. Because hormones can rise and fall unevenly during this phase, symptoms may come and go or change from month to month.
Menopause is reached when menstruation has stopped completely for 12 consecutive months. This marks the end of ovulation and a woman’s ability to conceive. The average age of menopause is around 51, though it typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 60. Menopause can also happen earlier if the ovaries are surgically removed or stop functioning for medical reasons.
After menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels remain consistently low. Progesterone, which is produced after ovulation, is no longer made because ovulation has stopped. These ongoing hormonal changes can continue to affect sleep, mood, energy levels, bone health, and overall quality of life.
Blood or urine tests can sometimes help confirm menopause. One commonly used test measures follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). As estrogen levels decline, the body produces more FSH, so higher levels may indicate menopause. However, during perimenopause, hormone levels can fluctuate significantly, making testing less reliable in the earlier stages.
Although perimenopause and menopause are normal life transitions, they can be challenging for many women. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers gentle, holistic support during this time by focusing on restoring balance within the body. Treatment is personalised and may help ease symptoms while supporting long-term health and vitality.
TCM can be used on its own or alongside Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), offering a safe, natural approach to supporting women through perimenopause and menopause.
Understanding Menopause from the lens of Chinese medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), perimenopause and menopause are viewed as a natural and meaningful stage of life marked by gradual changes in the body’s Yin and Yang. Yin represents the cooling, nourishing, and restorative aspects of the body, while Yang represents warmth, movement, and vitality. As you moves toward menopause, these energies naturally decline and shift.
From a TCM perspective, the underlying pattern during this transition is often related to a weakening of Kidney essence, which plays a central role in hormonal balance, ageing, and reproductive health. However, this can show up differently in each woman. Alongside Kidney deficiency, other patterns may also be present, such as dampness, Qi (energy) stagnation, blood stasis, or heat. These imbalances can contribute to a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms.
The role of a Chinese medicine doctor, like myself, is to understand the unique patterns presenting and to address these patterns with a personalised treatment plan. By working with the body’s natural rhythms, we will aim to restore balance, ease symptoms, and support your wellbeing through perimenopause and menopause.
Common Symptoms of Menopause
As you approach perimenopause/menopause, your menstrual periods may become irregular. Other common symptoms include:
Achy joints
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Loss of sexual desire
Rapid mood changes
Tension & anxiety
Depression
Extreme sweating
Headaches
Dizziness
Lack of concentration
Difficulties with memory
Frequent urination
Bone loss
Insomnia
*Keep in mind that you may have one, some, or none of these symptoms.
TCM used with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
If you choose to go on hormone replacement therapy, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are a great complement.
While HRT works by supplementing declining hormone levels, Chinese medicine treatment works by nourishing the kidney essence and addressing any underlying causes that contribute to menopausal symptoms.
For example, in TCM, the kidneys are in charge of reproduction and development. As we age, our kidney essence declines. One of the most important ways of providing balance at the menopausal time is to nourish the declining kidney system.
So while HRT is effective in the short term relief of menopausal symptoms and protecting the body from osteoporosis and heart disease, Chinese medicine works by looking at the long term relief of balancing the body’s energy systems, including disruptions in yin and yang, Qi and blood flow, and overall well being.
TCM can treat the potential side effects of HRT and also enhance its effectiveness while promoting overall wellness.
It offers a personalized approach and works very well alongside HRT.
How Chinese Medicine Offers Ways to Treats Menopause Symptoms?
Chinese Medicine for menopause involves a number of practices including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutritional advice (food cures). It especially emphasizes lifestyle changes. Chinese Medicine has been used as the sole source of medicine in China for thousands of years and is still being used today throughout the world.
Gynecology is an area in which Chinese Medicine shines. It can be used instead of or in conjunction with western medicine to treat successful treat menopause symptoms. Evidence that acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used for women’s health can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3 A.D.
Chinese Medicine doesn’t recognize menopause as one particular syndrome. Instead, it aims in treating the particular symptoms that are unique to each individual. For example, if ten women are treated with Chinese Medicine for hot flashes and night sweats, each of these ten women will likely receive a unique, customized treatment with different acupuncture points, different herbs, and different lifestyle & diet recommendations. This gives a very effective result.
Customized Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbs have been used for centuries for menopausal symptoms and to protect the bones. The formulas have many subtle but yet powerfully strengthening effects upon the whole endocrine system.
The herbs act by stimulating the production of hormones, altering the condition of hormone receptors or changing the rate of catabolism of hormones rather than providing the hormones or hormone analogs that function the same as hormones. The herbs have little or no hormonal effects but the effect of the whole formula will substantially increase hormone levels. They work by improving the function of aging organs and glands.
The Chinese herbal formulas that are prescribed are based on the individual pattern of disharmony which is identified during the initial consultation.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves stimulating specific points on the body to help restore balance and reduce menopausal symptoms. It can support hormone regulation, improve circulation, and promote relaxation and overall wellbeing.
For best results, acupuncture is usually recommended once a week, often alongside Chinese herbal medicine, dietary guidance, and lifestyle advice tailored to your needs.
Diet Therapy
Diet plays an important role in supporting a healthy menopause. One of the strengths of TCM dietary therapy is that it is personalised – foods are chosen according to each person’s constitution. In general, however, foods that nourish the body’s fluids (Yin) and help combat the dryness often associated with menopause are recommended. These include leafy greens, seaweed, tofu and other soy products, as well as fruits and vegetables with a high water content.
It’s also important to not smoke, and limit alcohol and caffeine, reduce red meat, soft drinks, and refined sugars, and maintain a healthy body fat level.
Certain supplements may also be helpful, such as calcium and magnesium, evening primrose oil, flaxseed or fish oils, and a high-quality women’s multivitamin.
Lifestyle
Adequate rest, regular sleep patterns, stress reduction, moving your body daily, and meditation are some of the lifestyle practices that are highly recommended in TCM.
Conclusion
Chinese Medicine is an effective method to treat menopause symptoms and has a long history of successful treatment for gynecological disorders.
Chinese Medicine extends back over 200 generations and has over 30,000 volumes of medical literature. It can be used alone or in conjunction with HRT.
Book an appointment with me today and let me help you treat your perimenopausal symptoms in a highly effective, non-invasive and safe manner.
What You Can Do Right Away
You have a number of options to get on top of your health from scheduling an online or telephone consult with me, seeing me in person, or even taking one of my online self-treatment courses.
However, you can also start right away by taking vitamins or herbal supplements to support your hormonal system. Here are my top recommendations:
Two Immortals Formula (Jia Jian Er Xian Tang) – This is a classic Chinese herbal formula that helps nourish kidney energy, balance hormones, reduce hot flushes, and support overall vitality during perimenopause/menopause.
Free & Easy Wanderer Plus Formula (Jia Wei Xiao Yao San) – This is an extremely popular Chinese herbal formula that soothes the liver, relieves stress and irritability & rage, and helps balance hormones during perimenopause and menopause.
Yin Transition Formula (Geng Nian An Wan) – This formula treats those with a predominant yin deficiency pattern with dryness and heat.
Vitamin D 1000IU capsules – Vitamin D supports bone health, helps maintain mood, and aids overall wellbeing during perimenopause and menopause.
Magnesium Glycinate – Magnesium glycinate helps relax muscles, supports restful sleep, and promotes bone and heart health during menopause.
Probiotics – Probiotics support digestive health and boost immunity.