Qi stagnation and difficult periods

In Chinese medicine, the free flow of qi is essential to health.

When qi cannot move freely, imbalances and issues arise, and it is important to move or unblock the qi to help the body move toward a balanced state. The blockage or “stuckness” of qi is called stagnation.

The relationship between qi stagnation and the menstrual cycle

Qi stagnation can be a major contributor to menstrual irregularities.

Qi is responsible for the movement of the blood in the body, so when qi isn’t moving freely, neither is the blood. This is called blood stasis. Wherever there is blood stasis, there is often pain. Also, heat is created when qi stagnates because all of that energy that so earnestly wants to move cannot flow. This heat can accumulate in the blood, further contributing to blood stasis.

One common variety of qi stagnation that has an influence on the menstrual cycle is liver qi stagnation, which I also wrote about here. The liver stores the blood and ensures the smooth flow of qi throughout the body, so when liver qi stagnates, the storage of blood is affected, which has a direct effect on the menstrual cycle. In fact, through a Chinese medicine perspective, many gynecological problems can be traced back to the liver.

Signs of liver qi stagnation include distension and bloating in the hypochondriac and abdominal areas, irritability, outbursts of anger, moodiness, premenstrual breast distension, and painful cramping.

Signs of heat in the blood and blood stasis include heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle, painful periods, clots, and very dark, red blood.

What causes qi stagnation?

Qi stagnation is commonly rooted in emotional matters and lack of regular physical movement.

Stress, anxiety, and the experience of the “stress of anxiety” can all lead to qi stagnation. These emotional patterns have a tendency to build up inside, leading to what Chinese medicine calls excess. Similarly, the repression of emotions can also lead to this kind of emotional excess. We may push down feelings in order to avoid discomfort, but in turn, the emotions don’t have any kind of release and they accumulate.

The accumulation of stuck emotions is extremely common in our modern lives, and it is one of the most frequent root causes of the health imbalances I see in my clinical work.

When we push down our feelings, they don’t just go away. They become trapped or stuck and impede the free flow of qi, which creates qi stagnation.

An excess of sedentary behavior or a lack of physical movement can also lead to qi stagnation. As I stated earlier, qi needs to move freely. We need regular, flowing exercise or movement (yoga, tai chi, qi gong, dance, etc.) to keep ourselves in balance and our qi moving.

Where to begin?

Emotional release, honest expression, and physical activity can be incredibly effective ways to resolve qi stagnation.

It is essential to find ways to prioritize regular emotional expression and physical movement in your everyday life.

Creative expression, journaling, yelling in the woods, talk therapy, chats with a trusted friend, cooking, singing, laughing, and exercising are everyday ways to release emotions. We all need some form of emotional expression, and for many people, physical movement helps with this too.

Do you ever notice that you feel pain when too many days go by without physical movement? This pain can be the result of blood stasis, and the blood stasis likely arose from qi stagnation. Even a small introduction of a short yoga video a few times a week, a 15-20 minute walk, or a short stretch break in the middle of the work day can help to get the qi moving. It’s important to find something that’s enjoyable to you that you can do consistently.

Next week I’ll write more about herbal and dietary support that can directly support the menstrual cycle. As always, you are welcome to leave a comment or write to me directly if you have questions.

Warmly,

Artemisia

Clinical Herbalist | Chinese Medicine

innervillagehealth.com

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