As a major branch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), gynecology has played an important roll in women’s health for over two thousand years. The Huandi Neijing (Canon of Medicine) published in 50-300 B.C. is the earliest extant medical book in China that describes acupuncture. It also describes gynecological terms such as infertility, miscarriage, ante partum care, labor, and delivery. It provides methods for diagnosing pregnancy and treating a variety of women’s diseases, including menopause.

According to Chinese medical theory, a part of the kidney’s job is controlling sexual function. When a woman’s kidney power diminishes in middle age, menopause occurs. Normally, kidney yang and kidney yin should be in balance. At the beginning of menopause, many women suffer from kidney yin deficiency, which results in hot flashes, night sweats, tinnitus, dizziness, and high blood pressure. Later in menopause, both kidney yin and yang diminish, resulting in poor circulation, lower back pain, muscle weakness, and low energy.

According to Chinese medical law of mother and son, the kidney is the symbol for water and liver is the symbol for wood, and the two have a very close relationship. If there is an imbalance in the kidney, the liver will also suffer from Qi disorders. Mood swings or anxiety can be symptoms of Qi stagnation or some heat in the liver. Also closely linked are the kidney and heart. The heart is the symbol for fire, and the Chinese believe that fire (heart) and water (kidneys) should maintain harmonious communication. Insomnia in menopausal women indicates that the kidney and heart have lost communication. Spleen and Kidney Qi deficiency can also lead to nonfunctional bleeding in menopausal women.

Hormone replacement therapy is still considered the standard treatment for menopause, despite its many drawbacks. While it reduces hot flashes and prevents osteoporosis, it also increases the risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer, and has a number of significant side effects. Acupuncture, on the other hand, offers a gentle yet effective way to alleviate menopause and related conditions. Most importantly, it is completely natural and therefore safer on the body.