In Asian countries, menopause doesn’t have the stigma associated with it that we find here in the United States. In fact, many women actually look forward to it. In China, menopause is often referred to as a woman’s “second spring”. It is not only looked at as a transitional time for women but also as a “rebirthing” process. The change involves a woman moving from being the mother of her own biological children to being a mother of the community. Post-menopausal women are well respected and achieve an elevated status because of the wisdom they have accumulated over the years. This critical stage may be viewed as a time to mine inner wisdom and pursue the more spiritual aspects of life. Here in the United States, our view of the whole aging process is different than in most other countries. For the most part, we do not fully appreciate the wisdom of our elders, male or female.
According to Chinese medical theory, menopause occurs when a woman’s body no longer produces sufficient blood to sustain a monthly period without this blood loss being draining on her body and particularly her “kidneys.” In Chinese medicine, the kidney is the root of life and longevity. When a woman is young, the energy in the body flows down a channel in the center of the body from the heart to the uterus. During menopause, the body, in its infinite wisdom, reverses the flow of energy in the channel so that blood and essence from the kidney flow upward to the heart in order to nourish the woman’s spirit. Her “heart spirit” is now nourished and enlightened in a way it was not before… and prepared for this next stage of life.
Cultural Differences
It is a different story here in the United States where many women dread or even fear this time in their lives. For some women, menopause is a phase of life that does not require medical intervention. For others it is a chaotic, uncomfortable or even life halting experience. By far the most common complaint is “hot flashes.” Others include night sweats, menstrual irregularity, anxiety, depression, migraines, mood swings, lack of focus, decreased libido, dryness and insomnia. In the United States, approximately 85% of women experience symptoms like these during menopause. More than 50% of those women find the symptoms disturbing enough to seek medical treatment. It is a different story in China where only about 10 to 20% of women experience hot flashes and other physical symptoms severe enough to cause any problems.
There are several reasons for these differences. One of the biggest reasons can be attributed to differences in diet and lifestyle. In China, women consume more whole foods such as properly prepared soy, more fiber, and fresh vegetables. They also do not eat much processed foods like pasteurized dairy or low quality animal products. Here in the U.S. for many women, there are large amounts of these two food groups in their diet and these, of course, are filled with additives and hormones. Also, many women consume large amounts of sugar and chemicals found in foods, and these aggravate the symptoms of menopause.
Another difference relates to the early prevention of symptoms by women in
China. It is common knowledge that there are certain foods and herbs that contribute to helping “tonify yin and blood” – which is a common treatment for menopause in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Their exercise regimen is also aimed at promoting health and vitality, preventing disease, and – yes – preventing problems during menopause. The practice of Tai Chi and Qi Gong helps to tonify the meridians and balance yin and yang. Also, by the time most women have reached the age of forty, they have already received acupuncture, herbal supplements and diet recommendations specifically to help keep their bodies in balance. As you can see, from an early age, prevention and balance are the keys.
Since the problems with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) were discovered, many American women have looked to alternative methods to help with the problems they face during menopause. Acupuncture, herbal supplements, meditation and other complementary therapies are helping more and more women in the states to manage menopause. We are also beginning to get proactive in managing our lives and our health. We are changing our diets, getting more exercise, becoming more informed, starting to meditate and nourish our spirits. The pendulum is starting to swing back the other way and we are looking to the traditions of the ancients to help us move forward. Maybe it is time we looked at the best of both worlds. We have phenomenal opportunities available to us as women here in the United States. We have the past to teach us and we have the present full of possibility. Let’s change our voices and the way we speak about menopause. Let’s look forward to this time of enlightenment.
Article by Mimi Tagher, LAc, LMT
Mimi Tagher is Nationally Board Certified in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology, and Oriental Medicine. She received her Masters Degree from The International Institute of Chinese Medicine. Mimi is also a Biodynamic Craniosacral teacher and practitioner, and a licensed massage therapist. Her specialty is combining acupuncture with craniosacral therapy to help balance the body physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
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