How To Regulate Menstrual Health Cycles with Chinese Medicine

The journey can feel overwhelming when it comes to understanding your menstrual health. You might have been told it’s “normal” to experience discomfort or irregularities, or perhaps you’re already trying to make changes but aren’t seeing the results you hoped for. I want you to know that you’re not alone in this and that there are things you can do to support your body.

When my husband and I decided to try for a baby, it took us three and a half years to conceive; that’s three and a half years of ups and downs, of hope and heartbreak. There were days when we felt like giving up. My cycle was far from regular; some months, it stretched to 46 days; other times, PMS would start two weeks before my period arrived. Not to mention the pain, which was unbearable, and no amount of painkillers could relieve it.

But things started to change for me when I stopped fighting my body and started living with my cycle through the teachings of Chinese medicine.

The Holistic Power of TCM 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has taught me to work with my body’s natural rhythms, completely transforming my approach to menstrual health. And this is what I want to share with you today so you, too, can feel the life-changing results.

But what makes TCM so special? For starters, it’s precise, practical, and even enjoyable. Secondly, unlike Western approaches, which often focus on isolated symptoms, TCM looks at the whole picture and tailors advice to your bodily needs.  

One of my favourite things about TCM is its emphasis on lifestyle. It’s not just about treating a single issue; it’s about aligning your daily habits with your body’s natural rhythms. These small, intentional shifts can make an enormous difference in how you feel and how your cycle flows.

Aligning with Your Menstrual Cycle with TCM

Let’s first talk about the bigger picture: your menstrual cycle. This isn’t a series of random events; it’s a beautifully coordinated process with distinct phases. Therefore, understanding and supporting each phase is key to achieving balance and better reproductive health.

Here’s how you can honour your body through your cycle phases:

• Menstrual phase: This is your body’s time for rest and recovery. Permit yourself to slow down. Extend your sleep by at least an hour, if possible, and focus on replenishing with nourishing foods like eggs, leafy greens, and protein-rich meals. Keep sugar to a minimum to avoid cravings later in your cycle.

• Post-menstrual/pre-ovulation phase: Think of this as your preparation phase. Sleep is still essential, so aim for eight hours nightly and gently increase your activity. Abundant Yin energy and free-flowing blood during this time are crucial for transitioning into the Yang phase at ovulation.

• Ovulation: Ovulation is a transformation where Yin energy shifts into Yang. This process requires balance and care. Support your body with light meals, gentle movements like yoga or walking, and time to relax, especially because stress can disrupt ovulation, so make space for calm in your day.

• Post-ovulation phase: After ovulation, your body builds a strong uterine lining. Support this phase by encouraging circulation through stretching, walking, or other light activities. It’s about keeping your energy flowing.

• Premenstrual phase: Here’s where warmth and nourishment take centre stage. Think comforting, hearty meals like root vegetable casseroles, and don’t be afraid to add some warming spices. This phase is all about listening to your body and giving it what it needs to feel balanced and calm.

You might already be doing many of the right things, but the timing matters just as much as the action. By making these small lifestyle changes, you can support a healthier cycle, align your habits with natural rhythms and make a massive difference to your overall well-being, hormonal balance, and fertility journey.

Living with Your Cycle: The Chinese Medicine Approach

One of the first things I learned in Chinese medicine is that lifestyle changes are the foundation of good menstrual health. Chinese medicine doesn’t see your cycle as something to “fix” but as a continuum where every cycle influences the next. The goal is to create balance within your body using the principles of Yin and Yang.

Here’s how I applied these principles to my own life:

• Food as nourishment: I stopped focusing on calories and started thinking about how food could nourish my body. I began eating with my cycle: warming and replenishing meals during my period, energising foods around ovulation, and comforting, hearty dishes in the premenstrual phase. This change made a world of difference because it supported and balanced my body throughout my cycle. I noticed fewer cravings, steadier energy levels, and reduced PMS symptoms. (If you’re curious, my recipe section is full of ideas to get you started!)

• Keeping warm: It sounds so simple, but keeping my feet and midriff warm was a game-changer. In Chinese medicine, the kidneys are the foundation of fertility and thrive in warmth. Therefore, keeping these areas cosy became a daily habit that supported my overall reproductive health.

• Prioritising balance: Rest and stress management became non-negotiable. TCM taught me that a balanced lifestyle isn’t just a luxury; it’s essential for a healthy cycle. By giving my body the care it needed, I finally started to see harmony in my cycle.

These changes weren’t overnight fixes, but they were transformative. Slowly but surely, my cycles became regular, my PMS faded, and the pain disappeared. For the first time in years, I felt like my body was working with me instead of against me.

Gone are the days of unpredictable cycles and unbearable pain. I now live in tune with my body, and it’s all thanks to the lifestyle changes I made with the guidance of Chinese medicine.

I want you to know there’s hope if you're facing similar struggles. By working with your cycle instead of fighting it, you can reclaim your body and feel better than you ever imagined. Let me show you how.

Embrace Natural Remedies for Irregular Periods with Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine offers gentle, natural remedies for irregular periods, focusing on simple lifestyle changes rather than invasive treatments.

One of the first steps I took was prioritising sleep. It wasn’t just about clocking enough hours but about giving my body the deep rest it needed to restore balance and recover.

Nutrition was the next piece of the puzzle. Eating with my cycle was a game-changer. During my period, I focused on warming, nourishing meals; as I approached ovulation, I shifted to energising foods; and before my next period, I leaned into hearty, grounding dishes. These small changes were simple yet incredibly powerful, helping me feel more in tune with my body.

Then, I learned how to adapt movement to my body’s needs. Rest during my period became non-negotiable, while my fertile days gradually encouraged me to increase my activity. This shift—listening to my body and working with my cycle—was transformative and the key to feeling better.

These adjustments taught me how to live harmoniously with my body. The results were undeniable, which is why I’m so passionate about helping other women do the same. If you want to:

• Align your daily habits with your menstrual health

• Find effective relief from PMS

• Boost your natural fertility and improve your chances of conceiving

...then these changes are worth exploring.

Remember, natural fertility starts with a regular, balanced cycle. A healthy cycle signals that your hormones are functioning as they should, which is step one in understanding your body and its rhythms.

As you embrace these remedies, it’s also important to understand the theory behind them. The concept of Yin and Yang lies at the heart of Chinese medicine, offering a framework to explain the cyclical nature of our bodies and how to restore balance.

Preparing for Ovulation with Chinese Medicine: The Theory of Yin and Yang

As mentioned above, Chinese medicine offers a profound yet straightforward approach to understanding and managing the menstrual cycle, particularly through the theory of Yin and Yang. 

While I’ll keep this explanation brief, grasping the basics of preparing for ovulation with Chinese medicine through Yin and Yang is essential to appreciate how these principles can support your fertility journey. In Chinese medicine, the menstrual health cycle is viewed through the lens of Yin and Yang. The first part of the cycle, from menstrual health and hygiene to ovulation, is considered Yin. 

Yin is associated with qualities such as coolness, moisture, and nurturing. During this phase, the body prepares the uterine lining and the egg, focusing on building and nourishing. This corresponds to the rise in estrogen, known for its cooling and moistening properties.

The second part of the cycle is Yang in nature, characterised by the dominance of the warming hormone progesterone, which increases the body’s basal temperature and prepares the uterine lining for potential pregnancy. This phase aligns with the principles of Yang energy, which are associated with heat, activity, and dryness. 

Understanding and supporting this phase through natural remedies for irregular periods and dietary and lifestyle choices can improve overall menstrual health and fertility. I suggest embracing this holistic approach, even if it initially feels a little abstract.

Another fascinating way to understand your menstrual cycle is through temperature changes, which provide incredible insight into your body’s rhythms.

Tracking Your Cycle Through Temperature

The menstrual cycle can also be understood thermally by observing changes in basal body temperature (BBT) throughout the month. During the first part of the cycle, BBT is typically lower, reflecting the body’s Yin energy. 

As ovulation occurs and the cycle transitions into its second phase, BBT rises, corresponding to the warming Yang energy that dominates this stage. These thermal shifts provide valuable insight into hormonal changes and the body’s natural rhythms, offering a deeper understanding of how to work with your cycle.

Studies confirm the Yin and Yang theory 100% because the first part of our cycle is colder than the second part. Oestrogen dominates the first part of the cycle and is very Yin in nature. It produces all the wetness we have in that part of the cycle. 

Then progesterone, which dominates the second part of the cycle, is very Yang in nature because it’s a warm hormone. It's responsible for drying the cervical mucus in the second part of the cycle, a sign of health. 

It rises after ovulation and is supposed to stay up consistently. This understanding underscores the importance of aligning with these natural phases to maintain a healthy cycle. If you're interested in learning more about BBT charting, I can walk you through it in more detail in my fertility support packages.

Now, let’s explore how to get regular periods naturally by prioritising menstrual health with Chinese medicine, which can help you achieve this balance and support your overall well-being.

Prioritising Menstrual Health with Chinese Medicine

Understanding and balancing your menstrual cycle's Yin and Yang phases can significantly impact your overall menstrual health and fertility. By making specific lifestyle choices, you can effectively prepare your body for ovulation and increase your natural fertility. 

Below are a few suggestions for you to try:

• Dietary adjustments: 

  • Yin phase (menstruation to ovulation): Focus on nourishing, hydrating foods such as soups, stews, and foods high in phytoestrogens like flaxseeds and soy products. Include plenty of leafy greens, berries, and whole grains.

  • Yang phase (post-ovulation): Eat warming foods like ginger, cinnamon, and cooked vegetables. Proteins such as lean meats, legumes, and eggs can support progesterone production and maintain warmth in the body.

• Exercise regimen: 

  • Yin phase: Do gentle activities like yoga, tai chi, or light walking to support relaxation and blood flow. 

  • Yang phase: Increase the intensity with moderate exercises like brisk walking, jogging, or cycling to stimulate warmth and energy.

• Rest and relaxation: 

  • Yin phase: Prioritise restful activities and ensure adequate sleep to support the body's natural nurturing process. 

  • Yang phase: Maintain a balanced routine with enough rest but include more stimulating activities that align with increased energy levels.

By understanding and aligning with the Yin and Yang phases of your menstrual cycle, you can create an optimal environment for ovulation and enhance your natural fertility. Embracing these principles supports your fertility journey and promotes overall well-being and harmony within your body.

Remember, prioritising your menstrual health through these natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments can lead to a more balanced, harmonious life. Additionally, achieving a regular and healthy menstrual cycle is the first step towards boosting your fertility and overall health. By integrating these practices, you take control of your reproductive health, paving the way for a fulfilling and healthy life.

If you’ve found this helpful, please do me a favour and share it with any girl you can think of who could benefit from knowing this.

Thanks for being here,

Irena x 

Related articles:

Read these articles for deeper insights into managing menstrual health and improving your chances when trying for a baby:

• Understanding Women's Health and Your Menstrual Cycle

• How To Help Ovulation for a Better Lifestyle and Menstrual Health

• Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle Phases and Hormonal Changes