Menopause: The Second Spring
Calling Yourself Home
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), menopause is known as the “Second Spring”—a time of rebirth, transformation, and deep wisdom. Just as the first spring of adolescence marks a shift into reproductive potential, the second spring represents a return to yourself. This phase is not an ending but a beginning, an opportunity to step into your power with strength and grace.
In Chinese medicine, menopause is viewed through the lens of Yin and Yang. As we age, Yin—the cooling, moist, and nourishing energy—naturally declines. This can lead to the familiar symptoms of menopause: hot flashes, dryness, insomnia, and emotional fluctuations. But this shift is also an opening. As Yin recedes, Yang—our active, transformative energy—has the chance to rise. The second spring is an invitation to reclaim your body, mind, and spirit with intentional care.
Strengthening the Body with Weight Lifting
One of the most powerful ways to support this transition is by building physical strength. After menopause, the decline in estrogen can lead to a loss of muscle mass and bone density, making weight-bearing exercises essential. Lifting weights not only strengthens muscles and bones but also supports the kidneys, which are central to the body's reserve of Yin and Yang energy in TCM. Stronger muscles and bones create a more grounded, resilient body—essential for navigating the emotional and energetic shifts of menopause.
Aim to lift weights 2–3 times per week, focusing on compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and presses. Resistance training helps stimulate bone growth, improve balance, and enhance overall energy flow. Just as a tree’s roots strengthen the trunk, building physical strength creates a stable foundation for this new season of life.
Nourishing with Good Fats and High Protein
In TCM, food is medicine, and what you eat directly supports the balance of Yin and Yang. As the body adjusts to fluctuating hormone levels, it’s essential to nourish the Spleen and Kidneys—two organ systems that play a key role in hormonal balance and overall vitality.
Good fats, like those found in avocado, olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish, provide deep nourishment and help stabilize blood sugar, which can prevent mood swings and energy crashes. High-quality protein supports muscle repair and helps maintain metabolic health—critical as the body’s natural metabolic rate slows with age.
Incorporate warming, grounding foods into your diet:
Wild salmon and sardines for Omega-3s and protein
Bone broth to nourish the Kidneys and strengthen the blood
Leafy greens like spinach and kale for essential minerals
Eggs, lentils, and quinoa to support muscle repair and hormone production
Balancing Hormones with Wild Yam Cream
Wild yam cream is a natural source of diosgenin, a compound that the body can convert into progesterone—a key hormone that tends to decline in menopause. Applied topically, wild yam cream can help reduce hot flashes, improve sleep, and ease mood swings by supporting the body’s natural hormonal balance.
TCM views progesterone as an expression of Kidney Yin. Applying wild yam cream to areas with thin skin, such as the inner arms or abdomen, allows for better absorption and helps restore the delicate balance between Yin and Yang.
Restoring Radiance with Gua Sha
As Yin declines, the skin often becomes drier and less vibrant. Gua Sha, a traditional Chinese technique of scraping the skin with a smooth tool, helps stimulate circulation, release tension, and encourage lymphatic drainage. Regular Gua Sha on the face improves skin tone, reduces puffiness, and enhances natural glow.
To practice facial Gua Sha:
Start with clean skin and apply a light facial oil.
Use a Gua Sha tool with gentle, upward strokes along the jawline, cheekbones, and forehead.
Focus on the neck to stimulate lymphatic drainage and release tension.
Finish with a soothing face massage to calm the nervous system.
A Call to Yourself
Menopause is not a loss—it’s a becoming. It’s a return to your body’s wisdom, a time to slow down and tune into what your body truly needs. In this second spring, you have the opportunity to reclaim your strength, nourish yourself deeply, and embrace your body’s natural rhythms with grace.
This is the season to let go of old patterns and redefine what vitality means to you. Strengthen your foundation through movement, nourish yourself with intentional eating, and soften into the natural cycles of your body. The second spring is not about fighting change—it’s about stepping into the flow of it, reclaiming your power, and blooming in your own time.
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