Fertility Acupuncturist
Emiko Kanematsu R.Ac & R.TCMP
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Women's Heath (Gynecology)
The practice of gynecology in Chinese medicine goes back over 3000 years. Chinese medicine has successfully treated a variety of gynecological conditions. Many gynecological conditions are associated with hormonal imbalance and often treated by hormones (drugs) in Western medicine. These conditions include amenorrhea (no period), anovulation (no ovulation), dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, and perimenopausal syndromes.
Rather than using drugs, Chinese medicine balances the hormones and regulates menstruation naturally. It not only treats the female reproductive and endocrine organs but also the whole body and the mind. That's why Chinese medicine is known as "holistic medicine".
One big difference between hormone therapy in Western medicine and a holistic approach in Chinese medicine is the hormone therapy is more likely to just mask the symptoms and as a consequnce, the symptoms often come back when you stop the medication. On the other hand, Chinese medicine treats the root problem and therefore you can be symptom-free (cured) when you complete the treatment.
Here is a list of the gynecological and obstetric conditions that can be treated effectively and safely with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
From the chapter of gynecology in the first medical book in Japan called "Ishinpo" (984 B.C.)
Menstrual disorders
- Long, short, or irregular menstrual cycles
- Menorrhagia/Hypermenorrhea (heavy or prolonged menstruation)
- Oligomenorrhea (scanty menstruation)
- Amenorrhea (no menstruation)
- Dysmenorrhea (painful periods, menstrual cramps)
- Ovulatory bleeding & pain (bleeding & pain during ovulation)
- Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (abnormal uterine bleeding)
- Various symptoms during menstruation (e.g. headache, fever, body ache, diarrhea, nasal bleeding, rashes, dizziness, edema, emotions etc.)
Discharge disorders
- Leukorrhea (abnormal vaginal discharge)
Disorders during pregnancy
- Morning sickness
- Frequent/Recurrent miscarriage
- Threatened miscarriage
- Malrotation of the fetus (breech baby)
- Post-partum disorders
- Abnormal lochia (abnormal post-partum discharge/bleeding)
- Various symptoms in the post-partum (e.g. dizziness, abdominal pain, constipation, fever, body ache etc.)
Vaginal/genital problems
- Pruritus vulvae (itchy vulva)
- Vaginal dryness
Breast disorders
- Breast distention & pain before menstruation (see PMS)
- Insufficient lactation
- Breast lumps
Various disorders & Western medicine-diagnosed diseases
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Uterine prolapse
- Vaginal yeast infection (vaginal candidiasis)
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