P. Sze 
A hormonal imbalance can result in a wide variety of painful, pesky, generally undesirable symptoms that can have a large effect on your day-to-day life. A number of things can cause a hormonal imbalance, which often makes them tricky to treat.
Furthermore, medicines to rectify hormonal imbalances can sometimes result in unwanted side effects.
If this has been your experience, it’s likely that you’ve looked into Chinese Traditional Medicine. However, thanks to its complicated nature, and a number of prominent misconceptions of Traditional Chinese Medicine, it can be tricky to figure out exactly what it is, and how it can help you.
Below, you’ll find a detailed explanation of hormonal imbalances and the most important concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In turn, we discuss how Traditional Chinese Medicine can help ailments associated with hormonal imbalances, and outline the safest ways to engage with the practice.
What Is A Hormonal Imbalance?
Hormones are produced by the glands, such as the testes, ovaries, adrenals, and thyroid, within the endocrine system. A hormonal imbalance occurs if the body produces too much, or too little, of one or more hormones.
Even the slightest depletion or increase in one type of hormone is enough to cause a ripple effect of symptoms throughout the body.
Hormones are necessary for regulating nearly all of the major processes which take place in the body. For instance, hormones regulate:
- Heart rate
- Body temperature
- Sleep
- Reproductive cycles
- Sexual function
- Growth and development
- Metabolism and appetite
Who Is Affected By Hormonal Imbalances And What Causes Them?
Both men and women can, and do, struggle with hormonal imbalances today. However, they are more common in women, due to the nature of puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and the role that birth control can play in hormone imbalances.
Though, a large number of medical and environmental factors can contribute to producing a hormone imbalance in either sex.
Medical conditions such as, but not limited to, diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, underactive/overactive thyroid, benign tumors and cysts, severe reactions or infections and anorexia can play a role in producing a hormonal imbalance.
Other medical causes can come in the form of specific medicines and treatments, such as chemotherapy and overuse of anabolic steroids.
Environmental factors such as exposure to phytoestrogens (naturally occurring type of plant estrogens found in soy), exposure to toxins and chemicals which disrupt the endocrine system such as pesticides, and exposure to stressful situations, can all play a role in the development of a hormonal imbalance.
Symptoms Of A Hormonal Imbalance
There are a number of symptoms or signs of a hormonal imbalance, which sometimes vary depending on your sex.
Some signs of a hormonal imbalance that appear in both men and women are:
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- Tiredness
- Weakness in muscles
- Sweating
- Aching, tenderness or stiffness in the muscles
- Join pain, swelling or stiffness
- Increased or decreased heart rate
- Frequent urination
- Temperature sensitivity
- Irregular bowel movements
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Decreased sex drive
- Irregular dry skin
- Thinning or fragile hair
- Infertility
- Blurred vision
- Puffy or rounded face
Some signs or symptoms specific to females are:
- Irregular periods (including heavy periods, missed periods, frequent periods, stopped periods)
- Excessive hair on the chin or other body parts
- Hair loss
- Darkened skin
- Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal atrophy
- Painful sex
- Acne
- Skin tags
Some signs or symptoms specific to males are:
- Breast tenderness
- Erectile dysfunction
- Muscle mass depletion
- Osteoporosis
- Brain fog
- Development of breast tissue
- Hot flashes
- Depletion in beard or body hair
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a practice which has evolved over thousands of years, and includes a number of different physical, psychological and herbal approaches to health problems.
Traditional Chinese Medicine begins with the concept of Qi (pronounced Chee), which is a vital force of energy which surges through the body. In classic Chinese medical literature, life is equated to a gathering of various different types of Qi.
When Qi is balanced and harmonious, the person will be happy and healthy. When Qi is unbalanced, illness may ensue. To describe the oppositional manifestations of Qi, the terms Yin and Yang are used.
In fact, Traditional Chinese Medicine relies on understanding the human body as a collective of yin-yang systems, which are interrelated. Yin and Yang are opposite entities in nature, but they depend on one another to function properly.
Yin is understood as the cooling, calming, dark, passive and substantial manifestations of Qi. Yang refers to high intensity, warming, bright, active and aggressive manifestations of Qi.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and hormonal imbalances
When the bodily yin-yang systems are working in harmony, the body remains in a healthy state. However, when there is disharmony within the systems, illness will ensue.
The concept of Jing is also particularly important here. Jing equates to essence, and has 3 major components. One of these is related to hormones. The role of Jing is to keep the bodily yin-yang systems balanced.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jing is within the Kidney, which is one of the main organs responsible for hormone regulation. The liver is another important organ for hormonal regulation. When imbalance occurs, it means Jing is depleted.
As an example, consider a woman who has over-exerted herself by exercising too much. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this equates to an excess of Yang, which overpowers the Yin.
In turn, her Jing is depleted, her energy reserves within the Kidney will be drained, and symptoms such as tiredness or changes in appetite will ensue. In this case, not enough Yin energy might engender a hormonal imbalance.
As another example, consider a mostly sedentary person with a poor diet. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, over a period of time, their Jing will be depleted as the Yin will likely overpower the Yang.
Consequently, they will experience a sense of heaviness and congestion. In turn, the liver can become congested. If this is the case, hormones wouldn’t be able to be processed or transformed well, and this could lead to a hormonal imbalance.
How To Restore Hormonal Balance Using Traditional Chinese Medicine
There is no ‘one size fits all’ treatment for hormonal imbalance.
As such, if you choose to visit a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, they will likely examine your lifestyle and diet, in addition to bodily functions such as your pulse. In doing so, they will be able to pinpoint what deficiencies exactly are causing your imbalance.
Following, they might suggest one, or a combination of, the three different treatments below.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a natural method for hormone imbalance. The treatment works by placing needles at key channels of energy, so that specific organs and glands are stimulated. In turn, the patient’s Qi is redirected and rebalanced.
It is a very personalised treatment, which might take multiple sessions. It also has very few, to no, side effects.
Cupping
The treatment of Cupping involves placing cups onto the skin to create suction. In doing so, blood flow is stimulated by enabling the flow of Qi. The suction itself also may facilitate healing.
In turn, this helps balance yin and yang within the body, and thus may help with a hormone imbalance. It is also known for its ability to reduce the sensation of pain. This type of treatment is often used in conjunction with acupuncture.
Herbs
Herbal medicine can prolong the effects of the treatment by continuing to encourage balance within the body. However, not all hormonal herbs will suit everyone, so it’s very important that a Chinese medical practitioner assesses your health and advises you.
Here are some of the top herbs for balancing women’s bodies:
- Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi)
- Dang Gui
- Chinese Wild Yam (Shan Yao)
- White Peony root (Bai Shao)
- He Shou Wu
Here are some of the top herbs for balancing men’s bodies:
- Polyrachis Ant
- Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong)
- Chinese Ginseng (Ren Shen)
- Horney Goat herb (Yin Yang Hou)
- Chinese Dodder Seeds (Tu Si Zi)
Does Traditional Chinese Medicine actually work?
If you’ve relied on Western medicine your whole life, you’re likely skeptical of the proficiency of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
However, there are some very promising studies which suggest that some Traditional Chinese MEdicine strategies are very effective.
For instance, one 2011 study found that the application of the combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine proved just as effective as hormone therapy when treating menopause symptoms.
This combination also showed better outcomes than just herbal medicine alone.
Another 2018 study focused on acupuncture as a treatment for infertility. The researchers concluded that acupuncture shows great results in both sexes when treating infertility, and should be considered a successful and useful treatment when restoring fertility.
Acupuncture improved the ovarian function and sperm quality, as well as balancing the endocrine hormones and systems.
Is Traditional Chinese Medicine safe?
Some herbal treatments, though effective, may also hold the potential for serious side effects. It is therefore very important, if you’re thinking of branching into Traditional Chinese Medicine, to look for a certified, experienced practitioner.
Look out for accreditation from the federally recognized Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).
Final thoughts
Traditional Chinese Medicine can be a great tool when it comes to understanding and treating hormonal imbalances. However, it is always necessary to be confident that your practitioner is experienced and certified.
