All Posts

Chinese medicine aims to restore the natural cycles and functions in the body back to their optimal health. The menstrual cycle is a clear indication of a woman’s gynaecological and fertility health, and it can provide many clues as to where any problems lie.

Short term stress is easily accommodated in a generally healthy person, if it is followed by a period of rest and recuperation, the body (and mind) recover well and go on to fight another day.

A diagnosis of Unexplained Infertility is made in around 30% of couples where there is evidence of ovulation, tubal patency and a normal semen analysis.

Stop sugar, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and all drugs. Eat 3 meals a day, mostly warm food. Eat a small amount of fermented food daily.

If trying to conceive castor packs can be done every 2 or 3 days from cycle day 5 until ovulation. If you have endometriosis, fibroids  or ovarian cysts they can be done daily.

Factors such as diet, exercise, stress and overwork can alter the quality and quantity of sperm, whilst the use of alcohol, cigarettes and other recreational drugs may damage or limit sperm production.

Endometriosis is being diagnosed increasingly often. It can be hidden with very few clues as to its existence, or can be associated with pain, abnormal bleeding and infertility.

PCOS is characterised by long and/or irregular cycles. The underlying pathology from a Western medical perspective is not absolutely clear, but the end result is that of multiple cysts on the ovaries, and a failure of one follicle to mature and ovulate on a regular (monthly) basis.

Symptoms such as bloating, loose stool, constipation, reflux and various food sensitivities are so commonplace that they are easily overlooked as signs that the digestion is out of balance and potentially creating other disease in the body.

Pregnancy loss before there is a positive pregnancy test is thought to be as high as 25% or more. After a positive test (miscarriage) rates increase with the age of the mother, or in the case of women under 35, with the age of the partner. In women over 40, they are as high as 25% or more.

Chinese Medicine historically looks at Nutrition and diet in an entirely different way to our Western thinking. Each person has unique needs at different times in his or her life, women have different needs around the menstrual cycle, and each body and health condition requires very different dietary practices.

Modern western diets are full of hidden and not so hidden sugars. When consumed on a regular basis, the effect this has is that the pancreas will repeatedly produce insulin to cope with the increase of sugar in the bloodstream.

All foods can be categorised by their flavour in Chinese dietary therapy, the aim being to include all 5 flavours  in order to achieve optimum health and balance in the body. Each flavour is said to have a positive influence on one of the major systems the body. For example a salty tasting food is a tonic for the kidneys, but only in moderation, too much salt would injure the kidneys.

In Chinese medicine, diagnosis is not about giving a name to a disease process, but rather works on the basis of treating the individual according to their particular presentation.

The treatment involves using a lighted moxa stick and warming a point on your little toe while you lie propped up on the couch. It is safe and easy to administer and relaxing to receive.

A basal body temperature chart can help pinpoint ovulation and reveal months when there is no ovulation. Ovulation is confirmed when there are 3 high temperatures following 6 low readings.

First purchase a digital BBT (Basal Body Temperature) thermometer, online is easiest. Starting on day 1 of your cycle take your temperature by mouth in the morning before getting out of bed.