5 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Menstrual Cycle According to Traditional Chinese Medicine

We’ve come a long way in understanding the menstrual cycle from a biomedical perspective — hormones, ovulation, the luteal phase — but Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a rich, nuanced view that’s often overlooked. Instead of focusing solely on hormone levels or structural abnormalities, TCM sees the menstrual cycle as a reflection of your overall health, energy balance, and internal harmony. Many of these insights are aligned with what we now know from modern research.

Here are five things you might not know about your menstrual cycle from a TCM perspective, along with practical tips and science-backed insights, and why acupuncture could be a powerful support for your hormonal health.

1. Your Period Reflects the Health of Your Blood and Qi

In TCM, a healthy period depends on two key substances: Blood and Qi (your vital energy). If there’s enough Blood and it flows smoothly, your period should be regular, pain-free, and moderate in volume. If Qi is weak or stagnant, you may experience cramps, clots, fatigue, or irregular cycles.

👉 Modern connection:
In Western medicine, menstrual issues like heavy bleeding, fatigue, or irregularity are often linked to iron-deficiency anemia, thyroid dysfunction, or hormonal imbalances, all of which affect blood flow and energy levels. A 2022 review in Nutrients found that iron deficiency can both contribute to and result from heavy menstrual bleeding, echoing the TCM view of insufficient Blood.

TCM Tip:

• Nourish your Blood with foods like beef, chicken, eggs, beets, black beans, goji berries, and dark leafy greens.

• Avoid skipping meals and overexerting yourself during your period — your body needs energy to replenish what is lost.

2. Cramps Are a Sign of Stagnation, Not Just Prostaglandins

From a TCM perspective, pain is always a sign that Qi or Blood isn’t flowing smoothly. Menstrual cramps often indicate Liver Qi stagnation or Cold in the uterus. This might sound poetic, but the concept is straightforward: when circulation is impaired or tissues are cold and contracted, pain results.

👉 Modern connection:
Research has found that cold exposure can cause vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), reducing uterine blood flow. Prostaglandins, hormone-like chemicals linked to period pain, are also higher when inflammation is present, which TCM might interpret as “stagnation.” A study in The Journal of Pain (2020) showed that women with primary dysmenorrhea (painful periods) had increased levels of inflammatory markers during menstruation.

TCM Tip:

• Keep your lower abdomen warm, especially before and during your period.

• Consider gentle movement like walking, yoga, or tai chi to support Qi flow.

• Avoid cold drinks and raw foods, especially in the days leading up to your period.

3. The Liver Is In Charge of Your Cycle

In TCM, the Liver governs the smooth flow of Qi and stores Blood. Both of these functions are essential for a healthy cycle. Stress, frustration, or overwork can block Liver Qi, leading to PMS, mood swings, breast tenderness, and irregular timing. This is why emotional wellbeing is seen as a key part of menstrual health in TCM.

👉 Modern connection:
There is strong evidence linking chronic stress to menstrual irregularities. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, interferes with the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which regulates ovulation and menstruation. A 2018 study in Endocrine Connections confirmed that high perceived stress is associated with more menstrual symptoms and disrupted cycles.

TCM Tip:

• Practice daily stress-reduction techniques such as journaling, time in nature, deep breathing, or acupuncture.

• Avoid repressing emotions. Expressing and processing them helps keep Liver Qi flowing.

4. Your Cycle Has Distinct Phases, Each Requiring Different Support

TCM divides the menstrual cycle into four phases:

• Menstruation (Blood phase)
  Post-period (Yin phase)

• Ovulation (Yang begins to rise)

• Luteal phase (Yang phase)

Each phase corresponds to shifts in Yin and Yang, Qi and Blood. The body’s needs change week to week, so what nourishes you during one phase might change in another.

👉 Modern connection:
Functional medicine and hormone-aware training programs also emphasize cycle syncing, the practice of adjusting food, exercise, and self-care routines based on hormonal shifts across the cycle. This mirrors the cyclical wisdom of TCM.

TCM Tip:

• During your period: rest and nourish with warming, blood-building foods.

• After your period: support Yin with hydration, healthy fats, and gentle activity.

• Around ovulation: engage in more dynamic movement and socialize.

• Before your period: focus on stress relief and warmth to support Yang.

Nutritional Support

For The Four Phases

5. Your Period Is a Monthly Report Card of Your Overall Health

In TCM, menstruation is more than a reproductive event, it’s a reflection of how your whole system is functioning. Digestive issues, poor sleep, emotional stress, and lifestyle habits all show up in the menstrual cycle. A healthy period is a sign of internal harmony; disruptions point to deeper imbalances.

👉 Modern connection:
Western medicine increasingly acknowledges that periods are a "fifth vital sign." Irregularities in menstruation can indicate thyroid disorders, PCOS, insulin resistance, or even nutritional deficiencies.

TCM Tip:

• Track your cycle holistically. Note not just the dates of your period but also your flow, pain, emotions, sleep, and energy.

• Use this information as a guide to make lifestyle changes and seek support when needed.

Tips to Support Menstrual Health The TCM Way

• Eat warm, nourishing foods – especially during and after your period. Soups, congee, and stews are ideal.

• Avoid cold and raw foods – particularly leading up to your period. They can hinder blood flow and contribute to cramps.
  Keep your lower belly warm – use a hot water bottle or abdominal wrap to support uterine circulation.

• Reduce stress – through acupuncture, breathing practices, journaling, or spending time in nature.

• Get regular movement – like walking, stretching, or qigong to move Liver Qi and improve blood circulation.

Lifestyle Support

For The Four Phases

5 Ways Acupuncture Can Support Menstrual Health

1. Regulates the menstrual cycle – Acupuncture can balance the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, promoting regular ovulation and healthy cycle timing.

2. Reduces period pain – By moving Qi and Blood and reducing inflammation, acupuncture helps ease cramps and pelvic tension.

3. Eases PMS symptoms – Acupuncture soothes Liver Qi stagnation, which can reduce mood swings, breast tenderness, irritability, and bloating.

4. Supports hormone balance – Acupuncture influences endocrine function and may help regulate estrogen and progesterone levels naturally.

5. Improves blood flow to the uterus – Enhanced circulation nourishes the endometrial lining and can support fertility and a healthy period.

Acupuncture: A Natural Ally for Your Menstrual Health

Acupuncture is a time-tested therapy that aligns beautifully with both TCM philosophy and modern hormone science. It helps regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce period pain, ease PMS, and support fertility by balancing hormones, improving circulation, and calming the nervous system. Studies have shown that acupuncture may increase endorphins, reduce prostaglandin levels, and support ovulatory function.

If your cycle feels out of balance—whether it's pain, irregularity, emotional symptoms, or fatigue—acupuncture can help restore harmony from within.

👉 Ready to feel more in sync with your cycle? Book an acupuncture session and start supporting your menstrual health in a deeper, more holistic way.