Hormones and Yin-Yang, seemingly belonging to different systems of Chinese and Western medicine, actually reveal the underlying logic of women’s health—dynamic balance. Modern women face issues such as menstrual irregularities, dull skin, emotional instability, and premature aging, which are essentially imbalances in the hormonal network, also referred to in TCM as “Yin-Yang disharmony.” This article will analyze the signals of imbalance from a perspective that integrates both Chinese and Western medicine, providing practical adjustment plans to awaken women’s deep understanding of inner balance.
1. Hormonal Imbalance = Yin-Yang Disharmony? “Symptom Translation” in Chinese and Western Medicine
1. Yin Deficiency with Excess Heat (Estrogen Fluctuation + Elevated Cortisol)
Symptoms: Acne before menstruation, hot flashes, insomnia, irritability
Mechanism Analysis:
Western Medicine: Estrogen fluctuations lead to excessive oil secretion in the skin, and high cortisol inhibits progesterone synthesis.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Kidney Yin deficiency, empty heat rising, liver stagnation.
Typical Population: Night owls and high-intensity mental workers.
2. Yang Deficiency with Cold Congestion (Hypothyroidism + Insufficient Progesterone)
Symptoms: Delayed menstruation, cold intolerance, low libido
Mechanism Analysis:
Western Medicine: Low thyroid hormones (T3/T4) lead to slowed metabolism, and insufficient progesterone causes luteal phase defects;
TCM: Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency, cold dampness stagnation, and lack of nourishment in the Chong and Ren meridians.
Typical Population: Sedentary individuals and those on extreme diets.
3. Phlegm and Stasis Interlocking (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome + Insulin Resistance)
Symptoms: Obesity, hirsutism, amenorrhea, acne, blood sugar fluctuations
Western Medicine: High androgen levels and insulin resistance create a vicious cycle;
TCM: Phlegm-damp obstructing the uterus, Qi stagnation and blood stasis, Yin-Yang conflict.
Typical Population: High-sugar diet and stress-induced obesity.
2. The “Invisible Push” of Imbalance: How Modern Life Disrupts Hormones and Yin-Yang
1. Staying Up Late Harms Yin—Accelerator of Ovarian Aging
Western Perspective: Light pollution inhibits melatonin secretion → disrupts HPO axis rhythm → estrogen synthesis disorder;
TCM Perspective: Insomnia during the midnight hours (11 PM – 1 AM) depletes liver blood and kidney essence → depletion of Tian Gui (sexual hormones).
Self-Test: After three consecutive nights of staying up late, red tongue with little coating (Yin deficiency), shortened menstrual cycle → signal of decreased ovarian reserve.
2. Stress Depletes Yang—Vicious Cycle of Adrenal Fatigue
Western Perspective: Chronic stress → continuous cortisol secretion → “progesterone theft” (progesterone precursors are diverted to synthesize cortisol);
TCM Perspective: Excessive worry harms Spleen Yang, leading to Kidney Yang deficiency → uterus fails to warm (dysmenorrhea, cold uterus).
Self-Test: Fatigue upon waking, craving high-sugar foods at 3-4 PM → warning of adrenal function decline.
3. Cold and Raw Diet—The Trigger for Spleen and Stomach Disharmony
Western Perspective: Ice drinks and cold salads → reduce digestive enzyme activity → insufficient intake of protein/cholesterol (missing raw materials for hormone synthesis);
TCM Perspective: Cold pathogens directly invade the middle burner → damage to Spleen Yang → internal phlegm dampness (insulin resistance, high androgens).
Self-Test: Enlarged tongue with teeth marks, sticky stools → signs of Spleen deficiency and excess dampness constitution.
3. Balancing Hormones = Harmonizing Yin-Yang: Comprehensive Adjustment Plan for Women Throughout Their Cycle
1. Dietary Therapy: The “Hormonal Pharmacy” in Your Kitchen
Yin Deficiency with Excess Heat Type:
Western Focus: Supplement Vitamin B6 (regulates estrogen metabolism), magnesium (soothes nerves);
TCM Recipe: Tremella and Lily Soup (nourishes Yin and moistens dryness) + Mulberry and Goji Berry Tea (nourishes liver blood);
Contraindications: Spicy foods, coffee (exacerbate empty heat).
Yang Deficiency with Cold Congestion Type:
Western Focus: Increase iodine + selenium (support thyroid), Vitamin D3 (promote hormone synthesis);
TCM Recipe: Angelica, Ginger, and Lamb Soup (warm and tonify Spleen and Kidney) + Cinnamon Latte (warm Yang and promote circulation);
Contraindications: Raw cold seafood, ice products (severely harm Yang Qi).
2. External Treatment: “Biological Switch” Activated by Meridians
Ovarian Maintenance Acupoints:
San Yin Jiao (三阴交, Spleen, Liver, and Kidney meridians intersection): Press for 5 minutes daily + moxibustion, to regulate estrogen levels;
Guan Yuan (关元, located at the lower abdomen): Ginger moxibustion, to enhance progesterone and basal body temperature.
Thyroid Regulation Techniques:
Tian Tu (天突, depression at the front of the neck): Gua Sha to relieve hypothyroid metabolic slowdown;
Ear Acupressure (endocrine, kidney area): Continuous stimulation to balance the HPA axis.
3. Cycle Wellness Method: Following the Rhythm of Hormonal Fluctuations
Menstrual Phase (Both Yin and Yang Deficient):
Focus: Promote blood circulation and nourish blood, avoid cold exercises;
Recommendation: Brown Sugar Ginger Jujube Tea (warm the meridians and dispel cold) + Heat Pack on Lower Abdomen (promote endometrial shedding).
Follicular Phase (Yin Rising, Yang Declining):
Focus: Nourish Kidney Yin, promote follicle development;
Recommendation: Black Bean Soy Milk (plant estrogen) + Yoga Hip-Opening Poses (stimulate ovarian blood supply).
Luteal Phase (Yang Rising, Yin Declining):
Focus: Warm Kidney Yang, stabilize the endometrium;
Recommendation: Durian/Pumpkin Seeds (rich in zinc and progesterone precursors) + Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade) “Two Hands Grasping Feet to Secure the Kidney and Waist”.
4. Technology Empowerment: Combining Chinese and Western Medical Testing
Western Indicators:
Hormonal Six Items on Day 3 of Menstruation (FSH > 10 indicates decreased ovarian reserve);
24-Hour Salivary Cortisol Curve (assesses the degree of adrenal fatigue).
TCM Diagnosis:
Tongue Diagnosis: Red edges and tip of the tongue (liver fire excess) → need to reduce androgens;
Pulse Analysis: Deep, thin, and weak (Kidney Yang deficiency) → need to supplement thyroid hormones.
4. Long-Term Value: Balancing Hormones = Anti-Aging Investment + Disease Prevention
1. Fertility Preservation:
After age 35, AMH declines by 18% each year, but TCM kidney tonification methods (such as taking Cuscuta and Zi He Che) can delay ovarian aging;
Western Assistance: Best time for egg freezing (AMH > 2.1 ng/mL).
2. Cancer Risk Prevention:
Estrogen dominance (red tongue, little coating, breast hyperplasia) requires regular monitoring of the 2/16α-hydroxyestrone ratio (< 2.0 is safe);
TCM Detox Formula: Dandelion + Scutellaria Tea (reduces the risk of breast cancer).
3. Anti-Aging Leverage:
Initiate HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) during menopause, while combining acupuncture at Zu San Li and Tai Xi points to reduce medication dosage;
Western Validation: For estrogen receptor-positive individuals, supplementing with soy isoflavones (requires conversion by gut probiotics).
The female body is a precise “hormonal clock” and a carrier of Yin-Yang energy flow. Dark circles after staying up late, menstrual irregularities under stress, and dysmenorrhea after cold diets are all alarms of imbalance sent by the body. Understanding the logic behind these signals from both Chinese and Western medicine, using dietary therapy instead of pills, using Zen moxibustion instead of painkillers, soaking in medicinal baths to balance hormones, and following cyclical wellness instead of blind dieting—this is the true wisdom of Eastern women in anti-aging.
Remember: Every early night, every warm meal, and every moment of emotional release is reshaping the balance of hormones and Yin-Yang. Health is not a gift, but a choice made day by day in dialogue with the body.
