Learning To Manage My PMS Symptoms

By Shoshanna H.

              Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is something 85% of women within child bearing age experience. The symptoms very from bloating, breast tenderness, irritability, sore back a/or knees, dizziness, blurred vision, depression, weepiness before menstruation, fatigue, pale/dull complexion, scanty periods, strong symptoms w/emotional component, agitation, slightly manic, depression, aggressiveness, red face, palpitations, insomnia. 

               Western medical see PMS as a natural process of women’s monthly cycles. Having over the counter drugs nearly at every supermarket and gas station, for extreme cases such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) which consists of symptoms similar to, but more severe than, PMS, and primarily mood-related. PMDD is classified as a repeating temporary cyclic disorder with similarities to unipolar depression, and several antidepressants are approved as a remedy. 

               Eastern medicine classify it as LV Qi Stagnation, SP/KD Yang Deficiency, HT/SP Deficiency, Phlegm Fire Rising Upwards, LV Blood Deficiency, and/or, LV/KD Yin Deficiency. 

               I happen to take great notes on the symptoms I have during my cycle. During my ovulation phase I become a lunatic, red in the face screaming in traffic and pulling out my hair. The most trivial bumps along my path upset me leaving me questioning why?  In researching this topic more with an eastern traditional Chinese medicine point of view I feel that either Liver (LV) Qi stagnation or Phlegm Fire Rising Upwards could be what distresses me. 

               LV Qi stagnation: The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body and smoothing our emotions. Anger, irritability, and frustration are all signs that our Qi is not flowing smoothly. This is one of the most common imbalances treated by Eastern medicine practitioners in the United States. Signs & Symptoms during premenstrual syndrome of LV Qi stagnation are headache, breast tenderness, depression, irritability. The ideal treatment would harmonize LV Qi using the following acupressure points:

UB 18 - LV Shu

UB 19 - GB Shu

LV 3 - harmonize LV, smooth emotions

SP 6 - tonify Qi, reinforce LV 3

GB 34 - move Qi in lateral area, support LV 3

GB 41 - move Qi in lateral area

SP 6 - tonify Qi and Blood

TH 6 - works w/GB 34 to move Qi in the lateral area

PC 6 - works w/LV 3 to benefit the emotions 

               Phlegm fire rising upwards: to my understanding is dampness that arises from overwork, over thinking, poor diet it congeals into phlegm which can block the body's energy and generate heat. It is the rising heat which leads to symptoms. Signs & Symptoms: Strong symptoms w/emotional a factor, agitation, slightly manic, depression, aggressiveness, red face. The ideal treatment to resolve phlegm, clear heat, and calm the mind would include the following acupressure points:

PC 7 - clear heat in the HT 

ST 40 - resolve phlegm 

ST 8 - calm the mind 

GV 24 - calm the mind 

LI 11 - clear heat 

SP 9 - resolve phlegm 

PC 6 w/SP 4 -, very moving, especially to clear chest oppression 

CV 12 - tonify SP 

UB 20 - SP Shu 

A majority of my research came from http://www.yinyanghouse.com/ and cannot thank you 

enough.