“Women seven and men eight” is the Chinese statement on the growth cycle of human being from the “Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine“- The “Bible” of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
That is, the number of women’s life cycle is seven and the number of men’s life cycle is eight. Every seven or eight years, women or men’s life change.The 7 year life cycle is so obvious for woman, and her fertility status changes every seven years too.
The physical change of women occurs obviously every seven years; and men’s change occurs every eight years. – “Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine”
7 year old:
A moman’s kidney energy growing strong, teeth change and hair grows longer and stronger. (the 1st 7 years).
Kidney is a special term in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It not only has the function of controlling the urinary system, but also has a very important role – control the developing, growing, and reproduction. In terms of reproduction, you can think Kidney as a “Small Kidney”- the ovaries or testis.
At the age of 7, a woman’s reproductive system start to develop.
14 year old:
Her menstruation appears as the Ren meridian (the sea of Yin/Essence) flows and the Qi and blood in the Chong meridian (the sea of blood) becomes prosperous, she can have a child. (2nd 7 years)
At the age of 14, her menstruation appears and she is able to have a child. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the age of menarche is one important factor to help make diagnosis. If menarche is later than 14 year old, often indicate lower fertility energy.
21 year old:
Her kidney energy is balanced, her adult teeth completely developed and her body grows to full height. (3rd 7 years)
A woman’s energy especially fertility energy is full at the age of 21.
28 years old:
Her bones and muscles are strong, her hair grow to full length, her body is at optimal condition. (4th 7 years)
From the age 21 to 28, a women’s fertility energy reach the peak. This is the best time in her life to have children.
35 year old:
Her peak condition declines gradually. Her energy in Yangming meridian declines. Her face starts wither and her hair starts to fall. (5th 7 years)
From 35 year old, she start to have wrinkles on the face, and her general energy and fertility start to decline. She still able to have children.
42 year old:
Sanyang energy declines. Her face wanes and she starts to have white hair. (6th 7 years)
From the age of 42, her physical energy and fertility energy declines and difficult to conceive.
49 year old:
The Ren meridian (Conception Vessel) and Chong meridian vital energy declines, her menstruation dried up, her physique turns old and feeble; She is no longer to conceive. (7th 7 years)
From the 7-year-life cycle, we can see that the good age for a woman to have children is from 21 to 35. And the best age is around 28 year old.
The 7-year life cycle provides a framework for understanding the various phases and developmental milestones in a woman’s life. Each stage presents unique challenges, opportunities, and transitions. By recognising and embracing the changes that accompany each phase, women can navigate their life journeys with self-awareness, resilience, and a focus on their overall well-being.
Additionally, by understanding the women’s 7-year life cycle and following the guidelines for women’s health and natural fertility treatment, women can make informed decisions, maintain their overall health, and address specific needs related to fertility at each stage.
Let’s be real – period pain can be a total nightmare. For many of us, it’s not just a minor inconvenience but a monthly battle that leaves us curled up on the couch, reaching for painkillers, and counting down the days until it’s over. But what if there was a natural way to ease the cramps, reduce the discomfort, and actually feel like yourself during your period?
Enter Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. These ancient practices are gaining modern recognition for their ability to tackle period pain at its root, offering relief without the side effects of conventional meds.
Why Acupuncture? It’s Not Just Needles!
You might be wondering, “Does acupuncture really work for period pain?” The answer is a resounding yes! Research shows that acupuncture can be a game-changer for women dealing with dysmenorrhea (that’s the fancy term for painful periods). Here’s the scoop:
A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research found that acupuncture significantly reduces period pain and is way gentler on your body compared to painkillers.
Another review confirmed that acupuncture doesn’t just mask the pain—it helps your body heal and rebalance, so you feel better in the long run.
So, how does it work?
Acupuncture involves tiny, hair-thin needles placed at specific points on your body to boost blood flow, relax your uterus, and balance your energy (Qi). It’s like hitting the reset button for your body.
How TCM Tackles Period Pain
In TCM, period pain isn’t just about cramps—it’s a sign that something’s out of whack in your body. Maybe your energy is stuck, or your blood flow isn’t what it should be. A TCM practitioner will take the time to understand your unique symptoms and create a personalised plan to get you feeling your best. This might include:
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is all about targeting the right spots to ease your pain. Some of the go-to points for period pain include:
Zigong (Extra Point): Near your uterus, this point helps regulate your cycle.
Sanyinjiao (SP6): On your inner leg, it’s a powerhouse for improving blood flow and calming cramps.
Guanyuan (CV4): On your lower abdomen, it strengthens your reproductive system.
And don’t worry—the needles are super thin, and most people find the sessions relaxing (yes, really!).
2. Chinese Herbal Medicine
Think of Chinese herbs as your period’s new best friend. They work hand-in-hand with acupuncture to soothe cramps, balance hormones, and keep your cycle running smoothly. Some popular herbs include:
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis): Known as the “female ginseng,” it’s a superstar for menstrual health.
Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum wallichii): Helps get your blood moving and eases pain.
Bupleurum (Chai Hu): Keeps your emotions in check and reduces stress-related cramps.
Popular herbal formulas for period pain include:
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan: Reduces cramping and promotes blood circulation.
Xiao Yao Wan: Balances hormones and alleviates stress-related menstrual pain.
Little Changes, Big Results
While acupuncture and herbs do the heavy lifting, a few lifestyle tweaks can make a big difference too:
Eat Warm Foods: Think soups, stews, and steamed veggies. Skip the ice-cold smoothies and salads during your period.
Move Your Body: Gentle yoga or a walk around the block can help ease cramps and boost your mood.
Chill Out: Stress can make period pain worse, so try meditation, deep breathing, or just curling up with a good book.
Why Choose Almond Wellness Centre?
At Almond Wellness Centre in Coburg and Ringwood, Melbourne, we’re all about helping you feel your best – naturally. Our fully qualified practitioners will:
Take the time to understand your unique needs.
Create a custom treatment plan just for you.
Support you every step of the way, so you can say goodbye to period pain for good.
Ready to Ditch the Pain?
If you’re tired of letting period pain run your life, it’s time to try something different. Contact Almond Wellness Centre today to book a consultation and discover how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help you feel your best – every day of the month.
Fill out the contact form or call our office now!
References
Liu, Z., Liu, Y., Xu, H., He, L., & Chen, Z. (2018). Acupuncture for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 44(6), 1014-1023. doi: 10.1111/jog.13631.
V. Iorno,etl. Acupuncture Treatment of Dysmenorrhea Resistant to Conventional Medical Treatment. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008 Jun; 5(2): 227–230.
Acupuncture for dysmenorrhoea. Smith CA, etl.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Apr 18;
Zhu X, Hamilton KD, McNicol ED. Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;5(5):CD012617. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012617.pub2.
Chiu HY, Pan CH, Shyu YK, et al. Effectiveness of acupuncture in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupunct Med. 2020;38(1):17-28. doi: 10.1177/0964528419878323.
Smith CA, Armour M, Zhu X, Li X, Lu ZY, Song J. Acupuncture for dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4(4):CD007854. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007854.pub3.
Lian F, Li Y, Xie RJ, Wang J, Zhang Y, Bai J. Effects of Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis in treating patients with dysmenorrhea: a systematic review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:8582727. doi: 10.1155/2016/8582727.
Shi GX, Yang XM, Liu CZ, et al. Acupuncture for chronic low back pain: a multicenter, randomized, patient-assessor blind, sham-controlled clinical trial. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2019;44(8):592-601. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002885.
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2013 May 1;304(9):E934-43. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00039.2013. Epub 2013 Mar 12.
Johansson J1, Redman L, Veldhuis PP, Sazonova A, Labrie F, Holm G, Johannsson G, Stener-Victorin E.
Abstract
Acupuncture has been demonstrated to improve menstrual frequency and to decrease circulating testosterone in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Our aim was to investigate whether acupuncture affects ovulation frequency and to understand the underlying mechanisms of any such effect by analyzing LH and sex steroid secretion in women with PCOS. This prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted between June 2009 and September 2010. Thirty-two women with PCOS were randomized to receive either acupuncture with manual and low-frequency electrical stimulation or to meetings with a physical therapist twice a week for 10-13 wk. Main outcome measures were changes in LH secretion patterns from baseline to after 10-13 wk of treatment and ovulation frequency during the treatment period. Secondary outcomes were changes in the secretion of sex steroids, anti-Müllerian hormone, inhibin B, and serum cortisol. Ovulation frequency during treatment was higher in the acupuncture group than in the control group. After 10-13 wk of intervention, circulating levels of estrone, estrone sulfate, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, testosterone, free testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, androsterone glucuronide, androstane-3α,17β-diol-3-glucuronide, and androstane-3α,17β-diol-17-glucuronide decreased within the acupuncture group and were significantly lower than in the control group for all of these except androstenedione. We conclude that repeated acupuncture treatments resulted in higher ovulation frequency in lean/overweight women with PCOS and were more effective than just meeting with the therapist. Ovarian and adrenal sex steroid serum levels were reduced with no effect on LH secretion.
Compiled from Journals, Internet, and Website resources as a tool to aid ABORM members understand the depth and breadth of Western Style research related to our fields.
Worked completed by: Diane K. Cridennda, L.Ac., FABORM, Member Board of Directors Founder/Owner: East Winds Acupuncture
J. Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines 2009
Abstract
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has significant advantages in treating gynaecological disorders. The paper has provided a brief introduction on the current progress of treating some gynaecological disorders including endometriosis, infertility, dysmenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, premenstrual syndrome, menopausal syndrome, uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic inflammation, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), cervicitis and vaginitis with Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) and acupuncture. The use of TCM in the field of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) has also been included in the review. In addition, thirty-two commonly used Chinese medicinal formulas in treating gynaecological disorders have been introduced.
