On Perimenopause - A Short Talk from TCM Point of View

Hi, I’d like to share a picture of perimenopause from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and how the tools of Qigong can help in this transition. We women move through many cycles in life — seasons within the body. Everything changes depending on our constitution, our life situation, the time of year, and where we are in our monthly rhythm. Entering perimenopause — the phase of hormonal transition — is one of these natural cycles. In Chinese medicine, this stage is seen not as decline but as transformation. Moving through it, we become wiser, more insightful — it’s called the second spring. I truly resonate with this idea. Still, the transition can bring challenges: emotional swings, fatigue, hot flashes, alternating heat and cold, difficulty sleeping, or restless thoughts at night. What’s happening physically is that reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone gradually decline. They form part of the body’s foundation, and as they fluctuate, that foundation can feel unsteady. In Chinese medicine, each organ relates not only to function but to emotion: The heart relates to anxiety. The liver to frustration and anger. The lungs to grief and dryness. The liver also connects with the eyes; the lungs with the skin. When the foundation weakens, all these “rooms of the house” are affected. Estrogen is like a buffer — it keeps the system moist, calm, and balanced. When it drops, we lose that buffering capacity. Yet this is a natural process. The body is made to move through it; we simply want to support it with steadiness and care. From the Qigong and Chinese medicine view, perimenopause reflects an imbalance between Yin and Yang. Yin — the cooling, restful, nourishing aspect — becomes weaker and can no longer hold Yang, which manifests as heat, irritability, anxiety, or insomnia. Qigong strengthens Yin. It cools the system, supports rest, steadies the mind, and restores that foundation. These practices may seem subtle, but they are deeply effective. You’re working with energy — the energy of muscles, fascia, organs, and mind. Even if you can’t see it, Qi is real and alive. Through Qigong, you regulate this life force gently and intelligently. During this perimenopausal transition, explore different practices. Choose the sessions that speak to you — for example, movements that calm the liver and emotions, or those that regulate breath for deeper rest. Sometimes, awareness itself is healing. As you move, you might notice, “I’m holding frustration,” or “My breathing feels shallow tonight.” That awareness helps you adapt and bring the system back into flow. Perimenopause is full of change, and Qigong teaches us to move with that change — to regulate, adapt, and stay fluid. Evening practices that emphasize Yin and cooling can be especially helpful to settle hormones and calm the nervous system for sleep. I hope this talk gives you a sense of how Qigong can support you in this beautiful, transformative phase of life. Feel free to reach out with questions. Good luck, and take care.