Hormonal changes in teenage years
Teenage years are challenging enough as it is, but the hormonal changes that come with them can sometimes only add to the stress of navigating this period of life. The novel influx of hormones only adds to the angst of navigating the teenage years – mood swings, acne, body changes, it can be a lot to wrap our heads around. And it doesn’t stop there… I think we can all agree that hormones still play a big part in our daily lives.
Endless factors affect our hormone levels too – daily stress, living in a big city, thyroid function, adrenal function, diet, exercise, chronic conditions, irregular sleep…
Our goal in TCM is to regulate this cycle and decrease the side effects of these hormonal changes.
Things we commonly see:
Some things that we commonly see in clinic due to the effects of hormonal changes include:
- mood swings
- lack of concentration
- acne
- fatigue
- weight changes
- difficulty falling asleep
- irregular menstrual cycles
Chinese medicine can be particularly beneficial in addressing the hormonal rollercoaster of teenage years and beyond. Chinese medicine focuses on regulating hormonal balance with Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary and lifestyle advice.
We understand how stressful this period of time can be for teens as their bodies are changing and they’re just trying to keep up. Focusing on stress relief and emotional well-being is a key part of the treatment to support mental and physical health.
According to Chinese medicine, stress has a direct impact on our Liver organ and over-thinking and worry impact the Spleen.
- The Liver is responsible for the flow of blood throughout the body. High stress-levels and slow down the flow of blood and Qi from the Liver, which may present as irregular cycles or period pain in young girls, or as frequent bloating and abdominal discomfort.
- The Spleen works closely with the Stomach and together, the two govern digestion. This includes the break down and processing of our foods, as well as the absorption of nutrients. Over-thinking and worrying can deplete the Spleen/Stomach, weakening our digestion. This may appear as fatigue or brain fog, poor concentration, loose stools and diarrhoea.
By addressing all factors, emotional and physical, we can offer a comprehensive approach to managing hormonal changes, promoting better concentration, improving sleep patterns, and regular menstrual cycles.
