TCM Gyn Traditional Chinese Medicine

TCM Gyn

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a wholly different perspective on the human body than the allopathic Western model. Correspondingly, gynecology in TCM differs theoretically from its Western counterpart. Gynecology in TCM is based on core principles including the five organs (liver, spleen, kidney, heart, lungs) and secondary organs (such as gall bladder and stomach). The relationship between the organs can determine states of health. Health is often described in terms of harmony; disease in terms of disharmony. Many gynecological problems are linked specifically to stomach-spleen disharmony (p. 5). Moreover, discomfort may be due to stagnant chi. Stimulating the movement of chi is essential for healing a variety of gynecological disorders. Herbs and acupuncture are key methods used in stimulating the circulation of chi and restoring harmony within and between the organs.

A woman's menstrual cycle may be closely linked with the kidneys, more than any other organ (p. 6). The seminal treatise linking menstrual disorders with the kidneys was a 17th century text Fu Qing Zhu's Gynecology. According to Fu Qing Zhu, menstrual blood originates from kidney-essence and is substantially different from the blood circulated by the heart. Other TCM theorists link menstrual flow more to spleen and kidney chi (p. 6). Menstruation problems including amenorrhoea or excessive bleeding are treated differently, depending on which organs or systems are suspected to be imbalanced. Tonic herbs and therapeutic herbs are frequently prescribed by doctors of TCM regardless of their theoretical background. Mingling TCM with Western medicine means introducing herbs and acupuncture into modern hospitals.

Women are inextricably linked to the Blood essence (p. 7). The behavior of the Blood will determine most gynecological health issues including menstruation, pregnancy, gestation, childbirth, and uterine problems. As primarily yin creatures, women are thus linked closely to fluids. Men, on the other hand, are linked to yang and the storing up of chi in their reproductive essence. The behaviors of yin and yang internally vs. externally explain the nature of conception (p. 7).

TCM offers a far more detailed and almost esoteric analysis of the female menstrual cycle than Western medicine does. However, many of the conclusions drawn by TCM researchers match those of Western researchers. The menstrual cycle is, for instance, divided into phases. The menstrual phase (lasting about five days) corresponds to the most noticeable flow of the Blood, assisted by strong liver chi (p. 9). Western medicine explains each phase of the menstrual cycle in terms of the hormonal fluctuations taking place. The second phase of the menstrual cycle connotes depletion in the TCM sense: the time after which the Blood has flowed away from the body and most channels are depleted. Following the depletion, the woman's Blood essence fills up once again during the third phase of her cycle. Both the second and the third phases last seven days. Critical to the third phase from a Western point-of-view is the moment of ovulation. Finally, TCM describes a pre-menstrual phase that also lasts seven days. During the pre-menstrual phase, the yang is stimulated and liver chi is mobilized.

The uterus is an interesting organ from a TCM perspective because it is both yin and yang (p. 8). Moreover, the uterus is systematically linked to several other organs: notably the Kidneys and Heart. Proper relationships between Uterus and Kidneys and Uterus and Heart must be maintained. The connection between Heart and Uterus ensures restoration of Blood and proper flow. Liver chi must also flow properly during the time of menstruation (p. 10). Furthermore, the uterus is not conceived of in TCM as an isolated organ but as part of a whole gynecological system that includes fallopian tubes and ovaries. Treatment of any problem related to menstruation varies depending on the patient's symptoms.

Female reproductive organs as a whole are also part of a system, not viewed as separate from any of the five internal organs. The Kidneys may be the most important internal organ in terms of the core essence of menstruation: the Essence that gives rise to the Blood. Any imbalance in Kidney chi can lead to delayed or premature menstruation or similar problems during menopause. Patients with menstrual problems are diagnosed differently than they are in the Western medical model. Pulse reading and the appearance of the tongue are main methods used for determining which organs are at the root cause of the problems. Patient cravings for hot or cold liquids can also inform a TCM doctor as to how to treat the underlying problems. Liver and kidney chi problems are especially evident in the tongue diagnosis (p. 13). In addition to the Kidneys, Liver and Spleen also play major roles in the menstrual cycle but all five internal organs interact to create healthy functioning.