Gynaecological

The study of gynaecology in western Medicine and traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is by it’s nature complicated.  There is a TCM maxim that states treating a woman is 10 times more difficult than treating a man. The reason being the intricacy of the structures and the myriad of chemical (hormonal) reactions that take place.  All triggered by stimulus from the brain and all open to influence from the outside world.

Therefore in TCM terms narrowing the focus down to just function of ovaries, pituitary and uterus (womb) is too narrow and misses a whole set of complicated interrelationships within the body’s process.  The easiest way to view it for the lay person is to understand what is considered normal.

In terms of the menstrual cycle

Menarche the beginning of the menstrual cycle usually starts around 12.8 years of age with a range of 10 to 16 years. Before that time is considered premature. After 16 considered delayed.

The menstrual cycle itself is considered normal from a Western Medicine perspective if it is anywhere between 21 to 36 days.  In TCM a more normal range would be considered at26 to 32 days. Therefore if it is shorter than this or longer that these parameters it needs to be investigated.

The menses itself should on average be about 30 to 80ml. Usually lighter in colour at the start, dark red in the middle and pinkish at the end.  There should be few clots. Normal period duration is considered by Western Medicine to be between 3 to 7 days.  However TCM would consider 4 to 6 days “more normal”.

Pain during periods should not be there. Perhaps some slight cramping but other than that no pain and that includes abdominal pain coming up to the period and during, headaches/migraines, back pain or indeed fatigue, before during or after.

If you have any excessive bleeding outside of the parameters above then we can check, diagnose and treat most of the causes.  Similarly scanty menstruation, or where the menses is very light should be treated. Also break through bleeding, (mid-cycle bleeding) including spotting should be treated.

If you are experiencing pain, cramps, spasms even if seemingly unrelated to your cycle we will also diagnose and treat these.

Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS), while common should not be considered normal. This too is very treatable using good traditional Chinese Medicine and even nutritional and dietary advice may be of benefit.

Any potential masses will be checked by our sonographer prior to treatment. While masses like fibroids/myomas are considered harmless to a degree, their position in the womb could lead to excess bleeding and even in some cases infertility.

Polycystic ovaries, and endometriosis can also be checked and treated.