Amenorrhea is seen in some premenstrual women. Primary amenorrhea occurs if a female has not experienced menstruation by age 16 while secondary amenorrhea is the cessation of the menstrual cycle for more than three months when there is no breast feeding, menopause or confirmed pregnancy. Secondary amenorrhea can due to improper functioning of the ovaries, psychological disorders, stress, eating disorders, serious weight loss, intense exercises, hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism and elevated androgens or prolactin. The symptoms typically occurring with amenorrhea include goiters, headaches, swollen breasts, nausea, and the stoppage of menses.

Doctors determine that normal menstrual cycles are based on a feedback system involving the response of the lining of the uterus to stimulation, the ovaries, pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. And so, the aim of their treatment is to bring back this feedback system. A lot of hormones participate in enabling regular menstruation to occur. They include the GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), androgen, progesterone, estrogen, prolactin LH (luteinizing hormone), and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone).

How does Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Treat Amenorrhea?

Based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, the kidneys, spleen and liver are the most important organs regulating menstruation and blood. The kidneys’ responsibilities are for the quality of the ova (eggs), reproduction and conception. The liver and spleen are responsible for the smooth flow of the hormones and the amount of nutrients. Acupuncturists will treat patients suffering from amenorrhea based on the evaluation of their specific condition and this means a customized course of treatment to effectively treat their condition.

Acupuncture regulates the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Ovarian connection and promotes proper hormonal balance through the improvement of blood circulation to the brain and reproductive organs. This treatment also helps lower stress levels (high levels of stress can affect menstruation by obstructing blood circulation to the reproductive organs resulting in an imbalance in hormonal production) and relaxes the body.

Acupuncturists and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners also prescribe specific herbal formulas to the patient to adjust the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Ovarian connection and strengthen the uterine lining. This rebalancing aids in improving and regulating the body’s natural hormonal production that in turn helps attain or maintain proper menstruation. Chinese herbal formulas also nourish the kidney, liver and spleen system that are responsible for a person’s reproductive health.

Massaging the reproductive organs is a type of therapeutic massage that massages the fascia of the pelvic cavity to improve the connection between the ovary and pituitary gland and enhance blood flow to the ovaries. This massage can also boost the function of the endocrine system by enhancing blood flow to the pelvic area and relieving stress.

Dietary therapy is also recommended and the type of therapy used will depend on the functions and health of your spleen, liver, and kidney. People suffering from amenorrhea need to eat lean meats, organic fruits and vegetables and whole grains and limit consumption of junk food and sugar to balance the hormones and bring back normal menstrual function. Moreover, one should boost their intake of essential fatty acids, B6, selenium, zinc, boron, vitamins A, C, D, E and K and calcium.

Western Medicine Treatments for Amenorrhea

Western medicine usually uses prescription birth control pills or hormone therapy to normalize a woman’s menstrual cycle. Western medicine will be able to treat the condition but never cure the problem.

Research and Related Articles on Amenorrhea

In Jinan, China, the Thousand Buddha Mountain Hospital did a clinical study to see the effectiveness of acupuncture against western medicine for treating amenorrhea. 95 subjects participated in the study. All the subjects had amenorrhea that lasted for half a year and this was blamed on the use of birth control pills. The number of subjects treated with acupuncture was 57 of while 38 patients were treated with drugs. The entire treatment was made up of six courses. The group treated with medications was first given Stilbestrol, then Progesteronum later on. A month after all the treatments was done, the rate of effectiveness (that included improvement, great improvement, cure) for the group given acupuncture was above 96.9%, while the for medication group, it was above 97%. Six months later, after the study concluded, the effective rate of the medication group dropped to 79% while for the acupuncture group, it was still high at 94.73%. This marked difference suggested that the long-term benefits of acupuncture are quite obvious.

A lot of studies done in China show that Chinese herbal medicine, moxibustion and acupuncture are better than western conventional medicine when it comes to the treatment of menstrual conditions such as amenorrhea.

Christina Prieto, AP
1617 Hillcrest St
Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: 407-234-6454
www.harmonywellnesscenter.com