Women's Guide to Health through TCM

n a woman's life journey, adolescence is a crucial stage of maturation and the first health checkpoint to face. During this phase, various organs of the body undergo rapid growth and development, and secondary sexual characteristics gradually become evident, marking the physiological maturity of women. Therefore, taking care of one's health during adolescence is essential. Adopting good health habits and lifestyle practices not only maintains the body's health but also lays a solid foundation for future pregnancy and childbirth, ensuring maternal health and promoting a smooth reproductive process.

To cope with the energy needs for growth and daily activities, Kangyuan physicians strongly recommend consuming sufficient nutrition in daily life and avoiding excessive weight loss to accumulate health capital.

• Calcium is an essential nutrient during this period. Therefore, it is recommended to drink more milk, eat tofu, and consume seafood, which helps in bone growth and development, preserving bone density.
• 铁质 Iron supplementation is also crucial. Foods such as raisins, spinach, various dark green vegetables, eggs, liver, and meat help prevent anaemia in girls.
• Avoiding or reducing the intake of cold foods, especially during menstruation, such as bananas and pears, which may cause menstrual pain. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid overly spicy foods to prevent excessive menstrual bleeding.

Postpartum Period — Rest and Recovery

Due to stereotypes, many people believe that women's physical strength declines significantly after childbirth, and even their intelligence deteriorates. However, these are no more than misconceptions. While women's bodies do change after childbirth, they are not irreversible. On the contrary, women should actually take this opportunity to nurture and restore their bodies.

uring pregnancy, the body's Qi and blood are focused on nourishing the fetus, and during childbirth, significant blood loss occurs, resulting in an overall deficiency of Qi and blood. Additionally, during childbirth, the exertion of force on the pelvic cavity and the opening of pores throughout the body to expel the fetus leave the uterus empty, leading to blood stasis in the uterus. From the perspective of TCM, women are in a state of both Qi and blood deficiency and blood stasis after childbirth, making body recovery imperative.

In ancient times, there was a saying - "One month is the term, hundred days is the measure." This translates to women should at least observe the traditional postpartum confinement period until the baby is one month old, and ideally, continue for one hundred days postpartum to truly complete the confinement period. However, due to advances in modern medical technology and improved living conditions, women can choose to observe the postpartum confinement period for a duration between 30 and 42 days, depending on their individual circumstances.

First Week Postpartum:

The primary focus is on enhancing uterine contractions, removing blood stasis, and promoting the generation of new blood. During this period, women should consume a light diet to reduce the burden on the body and promote the regeneration of new cells. Foods cooked with sesame oil or alcohol should be avoided, while foods high in protein such as chicken soup, pig liver soup, and fresh fish soup are recommended.

Second Week Postpartum:

The main goal is to repair the uterine endometrium and promote the body's metabolic function. At this time, women can start taking some Chinese herbal medicine to nourish the blood, supplement Qi, and incorporate sesame oil into their diet.

Third Week Postpartum:

The focus is on restoring ovarian function, recovering the pelvic cavity, and normalizing the function of internal organs. The diet should be regular, and blood-nourishing and yin-nourishing Chinese herbal medicine can be consumed. However, if symptoms such as constipation, dryness, or excessive sweating occur, supplementation should be temporarily suspended.

Traditional Chinese customs have many taboos regarding postpartum care, such as not bathing or washing the hair. This is mainly because, after childbirth, the body's pores are wide open, and if exposed to cold wind at this time, it may lead to lifelong back pain, body fatigue, and other health issues. Therefore, the primary consideration during the postpartum confinement period is to stay warm, ensuring cleanliness while avoiding exposure to cold wind.

Menopause — Embrace Yourself

Menopause is a natural physiological process, but for some women, this stage marks the end of their reproductive ability, usually signalled by the cessation of menstruation. It can be a challenging period, requiring adaptation to both physical and psychological changes. Therefore, nurturing the body is an important step for women to cope with menopausal symptoms.

• Regimen Regulation:

Women facing menopause, whether symptoms have manifested or not, should maintain a regular daily routine and pay attention to balancing work and rest. Ensure that work, household chores, etc., are within your capacity, maintain adequate sleep but avoid excessive bed rest. Moderate participation in beneficial physical and mental activities, such as Tai Chi, running, etc., not only promotes physical fitness but also enriches one's spiritual life. Additionally, reasonable and moderate sexual activity can benefit women's physical and mental health.

• Psychological Adjustment:

Menopause is a normal physiological change process that can last for several months or even up to a few years. As stated in the Esoteric Scripture of the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di Nei Jing) - "All diseases arise from Qi; anger causes upward Qi, joy causes relaxed Qi, sorrow causes dispersed Qi, fear causes downward Qi...". Therefore, women in menopause should maintain a broad-minded and optimistic mood, avoid excessive anxiety, and adjust their mindset. Participating in recreational activities can also help maintain mental well-being.

If needed, remember to communicate inner grievances with family and friends promptly to release negative emotions. As family and friends, you may provide more care and understanding in both spiritual and daily life, avoiding overexcitement.

• Dietary Adjustment:

Menopausal symptoms are often associated with liver and kidney Yin deficiency or excessive internal heat. Therefore, avoid consuming spicy, fragrant, and dry foods that consume & hurt Yin fluids. It is also not advisable to intake fatty, sweet, and heavy-flavored foods, as well as fried, roasted, stir-fried, and fried foods that generate internal heat. During this period, it is advisable to consume foods that nourish the liver and kidneys, nourish the blood and Yin, and reduce internal heat. In daily diet, it’s suggested to consume more fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meat, and legumes.

For more information on menopausal symptoms and common issues, feel free to browse Understand Menopause Symptoms and How Early Prevention Helps with TCM。