Navigating Perimenopause with Classical Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture
1. The Six Stages in Chinese Medicine
In classical Chinese medicine, the body’s physiology can be viewed through six energetic layers or “stages”:
Tai Yang (Greater Yang)
Yang Ming (Bright Yang)
Shao Yang (Lesser Yang)
Tai Yin (Greater Yin)
Shao Yin (Lesser Yin)
Jue Yin (Terminal Yin 厥阴)
During perimenopause, three of these systems commonly show imbalances - Shao Yang, Jue Yin, and Shao Yin - due to changing hormonal and blood profiles.
2. Jue Yin (厥阴): The “Terminal Yin”
Deep Blood Layer: Jue Yin is often referred to as “terminal yin,” signifying the deepest, most internal, or most “yin” layer of the body that governs blood storage.
Organ Connection: This stage relates primarily to the Liver and Pericardium, both of which play essential roles in regulating and moving blood.
Perimenopause & Blood: As menstrual blood begins to wane, the body’s capacity to store blood in this deep layer naturally shifts. Perimenopause can highlight deficiencies or blockages here, contributing to symptoms such as fatigue, irregular cycles, mood changes, and an increase in heat.
Transitions & Transformation: Jue Yin, together with stages such as Shao Yang, are responsible for transitions within the body. During perimenopause, it helps navigate the shift from active monthly cycles to a new phase of life.
3. Shao Yang: An Important Phase for Menstrual Regulation
Qi & Fluid Layer: While Jue Yin governs blood storage more deeply, Shao Yang influences the Qi (energy) and fluid layers. You can think about Qi in the body as gas in this case.
Regulation: Shao Yang regulates the menstrual cycle by synchronizing Qi flow. Imbalances here can manifest as hormonal fluctuations or issues such as irregular periods.
4. Nourishing the Blood & Embracing Change
Diet & Lifestyle:
Regular Meals & Balanced Diet: Emphasize blood-nourishing foods like leafy greens, legumes, and adequate protein sources.
Consistent Sleep Patterns: Adequate rest is crucial for hormonal and emotional balance.
Body-specific exercise: There is no one size fits all. However, there are certain criteria most women should try to meet such as lifting weights to keep lean muscle mass (it naturally declines during this time) and decreasing steady-state cardio. To go into more detail check out Dr. Stacy Simms.
Adaptability: Rather than resisting this life stage, focus on changing with your body. In CCM, allowing natural transitions helps ease some of the tension that can be associated with this time.
5. Chinese Herbs & Acupuncture: Personalized Care
Individualized Approach: Chinese herbal formulas are prescribed based on each person’s constitution and specific imbalances, often adjusted as symptoms evolve. You may have heard about Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica), Sheng or Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), or Bai Shao (Peony) and the helpful effects they can have on regulating hormones. But how much and in what combination do you take these? Chinese Medicine has a 2000+ year history using these and other herbal combination to support the person, not just the symptom.
Why Store-Bought Herbs Fall Short: Over-the-counter herbal products rarely address your exact pattern. A trained practitioner will check your pulse, tongue, and symptom profile to prescribe the right formula.
Acupuncture Research Highlights:
Historical & Clinical Support: Traditional Chinese medical texts have long described the use of herbs and acupuncture for hormonal and reproductive health, reinforcing their role in supporting women’s well-being through various life stages.
Closing Thoughts
Perimenopause is a natural life stage of transformation, and classical Chinese medicine offers a holistic framework to guide you through it. By supporting your body’s deep blood layers (Jue Yin 厥阴), and prioritizing a balanced lifestyle, you can minimize discomfort and preserve vitality. Each woman’s journey is unique, and CCM aims to honor those individual differences while helping you move gracefully into the next phase of life.
We look forward to supporting you during this time.