How to Regulate and Maintain Health during Menopause for Women
Around the age of fifty, women enter the stage of menopause, during which they may experience sensitivity, irritability, depression, insomnia, and other symptoms. How should women regulate themselves during this period?
"Seventy-seven, the Ren meridian is deficient, the Tai Chong meridian is weak, the Tian Gui is exhausted, and the Earth Channel is blocked. Therefore, the body deteriorates and cannot conceive." The Ren meridian is responsible for regulating the Yin meridians throughout the body and is known as the "sea of Yin meridians". It plays a role in regulating the qi of all Yin meridians in the body. In women, it has the function of bearing children. The Tai Chong meridian is a unique regulatory system in the female reproductive mechanism. Its prosperity or decline directly affects the vigor and decline of female reproductive function. Women generally stop menstruating around the age of 49 and enter menopause, during which they can no longer conceive and give birth.
Menopause is actually a period of rapid aging. Due to the significant decline in estrogen levels in the body, the most obvious manifestation for women is the cessation of menstruation. At the same time, various discomfort symptoms appear in different parts of the body, such as hypertension, chest tightness, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, depression, sudden sensations of cold and heat, and insomnia. In this case, it is best to let traditional Chinese medicine regulate and help women smoothly go through menopause using herbal remedies.
How to Regulate and Maintain Health during Menopause for Women
1. Maintain a calm mindset
According to the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, it is said, "Be calm and tranquil, and true qi will follow." Women should keep their mood pleasant during menopause and avoid excessive sadness, joy, anxiety, and anger. Excessive emotional changes can affect the function of the organs and the circulation of qi and blood, leading to pathological changes and accelerating the physical decline during menopause. Do not fret over trivial matters, be magnanimous, help others more, and think about the beautiful things in life when encountering unhappy events. Only when the mindset is calm and emotions are stable can the circulation of qi and blood be smooth and the functions of the organs be coordinated.
2. Ensure adequate sleep
In the fast-paced modern urban life, with high work pressure, many people often work overtime and stay up late, but insufficient sleep can lead to deficiency of Yin and blood, excessive internal heat, and accelerated aging during menopause. Traditional Chinese medicine advocates "working with the rising sun and resting with the setting sun, sleeping at night and waking during the day." Therefore, women should ensure sufficient sleep time and go to bed before 11 pm. Dinner should not be too heavy, with a preference for light and mild food. Avoid drinking coffee, strong tea, and other beverages before sleep. Avoid eating before bedtime, as eating supper at night can burden the stomach and intestines, affecting the quality of sleep. Before sleep, avoid excessive talking and excitement, and sleep with closed mouth to conserve the body's vitality.
3. Maintain a balanced diet
According to traditional Chinese medicine, women should maintain a good physique during menopause, and a balanced diet is crucial. Daily diet should be light, with less intake of spicy, raw, and salty foods. Avoid selective eating and overeating (eating until 70% full is recommended). Grains, fruits, meat, and vegetables should be reasonably combined. For breakfast, eat eggs, milk, and bread. For lunch, consume meat, fish, and leafy vegetables. For dinner, eat less meat and focus on soft foods such as porridge, dumplings, and fruits. Chew food slowly and avoid talking during meals. Do not get angry, as it may cause choking and emotional fluctuations, affecting the digestion and absorption of the spleen and stomach. The spleen and stomach are the source of qi and blood transformation. The influence on the function of the spleen and stomach directly leads to the weakening of qi and blood, the production of phlegm and stasis, and an increased risk of diseases.
4. Pay attention to nourishing qi and blood
Women should pay special attention to changes in menstruation during menopause. If menstruation becomes irregular in terms of cycle, volume, or becomes too little or too much, timely medical examination and treatment are necessary. Many professional women in big cities experience early menopause due to high work pressure and a fast pace of life, which seriously affects the functions of qi, blood, organs, and the Chong and Ren meridians. During menstruation, it is important to avoid cold and cool foods. Zhang Jingyue, a famous physician in the Ming Dynasty, said in his book "Jingyue's Complete Works": "During menstruation, avoid cold and cool medicines, as well as foods." Cold and cool here refers to anything below body temperature and cold foods. Fruits, mineral water, green tea, green bean soup, and heat-clearing and detoxifying drugs are all considered cold and cool. Swimming should be avoided during menstruation, as it allows cold energy to directly enter the uterus. Although cold energy cannot be seen or touched, cold water can indeed cause damage to qi and blood, and also easily lead to uterine infections.
