Treatment of Menopausal Syndrome Insomnia Based on the Theory of the Five Elements Theory

Authors

    Yao Hu, Rong Wang, Xinping Ye Department of Nursing, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18063/amcmr.v1i1.662

Keywords:

Insomnia, Menopausal syndrome, Five Elements Theory, Etiology and pathogenesis, Relationships of the five viscera

Abstract

Menopausal syndrome insomnia is a common and quality-of-life-affecting issue for women during the menopausal phase. Chronic insomnia can cause numerous harms to the physical and mental health of patients, such as lethargy and decreased immunity, making effective treatment crucial. However, there are certain difficulties in treatment, such as the condition being influenced by various complex factors, making it hard to control the direction of treatment accurately. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in dealing with such conditions. Based on the Five Elements theory, there are interrelationships of mutual restraint and promotion between the five viscera, such as the nourishing relationship of heart fire to spleen earth, and the promoting relationship of liver wood to heart fire. When these relationships are out of balance, they are closely related to the occurrence of menopausal syndrome insomnia. In light of this, TCM treatment methods such as nourishing blood and calming the spirit, nourishing Yin and reducing heat, nourishing Yin and subduing Yang, clearing liver and purging heat, benefiting Qi and lifting Yang, and strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the liver can be skillfully applied. By adjusting the balance of Qi and blood, Yin and Yang, and restoring the normal function of the viscera, a comprehensive treatment strategy can be effectively implemented to achieve the effect of treating both the root and the symptoms, providing a good approach to improving the condition of menopausal syndrome insomnia.

References

Kohama T, Negami M, 2013, Effect of Low-Dose French Maritime Pine Bark Extract on Climacteric Syndrome in 170 Perimenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 58(1/2): 39–46.

Li Z, Yin S, Feng J, et al., 2023, Acupuncture Combined with Chinese Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Perimenopausal Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore), 102(45): e35942.

Liu Y, 2020, The Effect of Erxiantang Combined with Ganmai Dazao Decoction on Sleep Quality of Women with Menopausal Insomnia. Clinical Medical Research and Practice, 5(17): 137–139.

American Psychiatric Association, 2013, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., Washington.

Soares CN, 2013, Depression in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women: Prevalence, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacological Management. Drugs Aging, 30(9): 677–685.

Jeon GH, 2024, Insomnia in Postmenopausal Women: How to Approach and Treat It? Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(2): 428.

Pengo MF, Won CH, Bourjeily G, 2018, Sleep in Women Across the Life Span. Chest, 154: 196–206.

Baker FC, 2023, Optimizing Sleep Across the Menopausal Transition. Climacteric, 26(3): 198–205.

Khan MS, Aouad R, 2017, The Effects of Insomnia and Sleep Loss on Cardiovascular Disease. Sleep Medicine Clinical, 12: 167–177.

Proserpio P, Marra S, Campana C, et al., 2020, Insomnia and Menopause: A Narrative Review on Mechanisms and Treatments. Climacteric, 23: 539–549.

Zhao FY, Fu QQ, Kennedy GA, et al., 2021, Comparative Utility of Acupuncture and Western Medication in the Management of Perimenopausal Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence Based Complement Alternate Medicine, 2021: 5566742.

Li M, Bai Z, 2011, Analysis of Treating Menopausal Insomnia with Classic Prescriptions. Practical Journal of Internal Medicine, 25(3): 17–18.

Wang X, Bai X, Tang H, et al., 2019, Clinical Application of the Five Elements Theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 60(5): 376–380.

Li Y, Zhai S, 2020, Current Status and Prospects of Literature Research on the Theory of the Five Viscera in Traditional Chinese Medicine. World Science and Technology - Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 22(4): 1299–1306.

Guo L, 2010, Treatment of 53 Cases of Climacteric Syndrome with Kunbao Pills. Chinese Medicine Guide, 8(35): 282–283.

Li M, Li H, Liu H, et al., 2024, Treatment of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction Based on the Five Elements Theory. Chinese Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 39(4): 1727–1730.

Zhou J, Zhang L, 2022, Exploration of the Method of Tonifying Fire to Generate Earth. Journal of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 34(5): 8–11.

Liu J, Yao M, 2024, Treatment of Female Perimenopausal Insomnia Based on the Theory of "The Five Organs Are Interconnected, and the Transfer Has an Order." Progress in Clinical Medicine, 2024(6): 453–458.

Liu Y, Xiong L, Huang C, 2020, Differential Treatment of Insomnia Based on the Physiological Function of the Liver. Practical Journal of Internal Medicine, 34(9): 29–33.

Huo QP, 2014, Traditional Chinese Medicine Conditioning for "Female Menopausal Syndrome". Family Medication, 2014(6): 58–59.

Hu XJ, Wang XC, 2013, Discussion on Insomnia Due to Liver and Kidney Deficiency. Yunnan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Materia Medica, 34(8): 82–83.

Zhang W, 2021, Treatment of Insomnia from the Liver and Biological Basis of the Efficacy of the Si Ni Suan Zao Ren Combination Formula, thesis, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.

Lou C, Yang DX, 2024, Treatment of Menopausal Syndrome Based on the Simultaneous Regulation of the Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Kidney. Advances in Clinical Medicine, 2024(10): 417–421.

Zhang PH, Ruan LW, Shen JY, et al., 2020, Study on Gastrointestinal Motility Changes in Perimenopausal Syndrome Model Rats with Liver Stagnation Syndrome from the Perspective of "Wood Constraining Earth". Chinese Journal of Gerontology, 40(5): 1048–1051.

He J, Pan JY, Zhang HP, 2023, Exploration of the Application of the "Balance of Water and Fire" Theory in Treating Insomnia in Zhang Yuqing's Medical Case Records. Journal of Clinical Chinese Medicine, 35(6): 1078–1082.

Jia LN, Tang L, Xiao CC, 2020, Clinical Experience of Xiao Chengcong's Self-Formulated Gengxin Decoction in Treating Female Menopausal Insomnia. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 61(6): 479–481.

Qu F, Li AH, 2011, Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases from the Perspective of "Fire Restrains Metal, Metal Insults Fire". Journal of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 13(9): 95–97.

Nie GN, Wang XY, 2014, Summary of Professor Wang Xiaoyun's Experience in Treating Menopausal Syndrome from the Liver and Lung. New Chinese Medicine, 46(1): 23–25.

Pan YY, Liu Y, Li N, 2023, Clinical Study of Ganmai Dazao Decoction Combined with Guishen Pills in Treating Perimenopausal Sleep Disorders (Liver Depression and Kidney Deficiency Type). Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 50(11): 128–132.

Jin YM, Li YP, 2024, Clinical Observation of the Effect of Tiaoshen Yangxin Decoction in Treating Perimenopausal Insomnia. China Modern Doctor, 62(30): 66–69+90.

Zhu XH, 2011, Modified Huanglian Ejiao Decoction for Treating 40 Cases of Menopausal Insomnia. Chinese Modern Distance Education of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 9(8): 74.

Dong XS, 2021, Clinical Observation of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction Combined with Liuwei Dihuang Pills in Treating Perimenopausal Syndrome, thesis, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Wang QH, Ye XT, Huang XJ, 2021, The Efficacy of Modified Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction in Treating Menopausal Insomnia and Its Improvement on Clinical Symptoms. Inner Mongolia Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 40(3): 47–48.

Pan X, Sun T, Yang JD, et al., 2022, Observational Study on the Effect of Modified Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction in Treating Liver Qi Stagnation Type Menopausal Insomnia. Electronic Journal of Modern Medicine and Health Research, 6(4): 95–98.

Lü YY, 2015, Clinical Study of Renshen Yangrong Decoction in Treating Qi and Blood Deficiency Type Insomnia. Asia-Pacific Traditional Medicine, 11(17): 115–116.

Guo Q, Huang D, Huang HA, 2019, Observation of the Effect of Suanzaoren Decoction Combined with Zuogui Pills in Treating Female Menopausal Insomnia. Shenzhen Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 29(23): 53–54.

Fan MS, Li R, 2019, Clinical Analysis of Qiju Dihuang Pills Combined with Losartan Potassium Tablets in Treating Menopausal Insomnia with Hypertension. World Journal of Sleep Medicine, 6(1): 22–23.

Sun YY, Ban WM, Zhao LL, et al., 2024, Efficacy of Jieyu Anshen Decoction in Treating Perimenopausal Insomnia Based on the Liver-Soothing and Spleen-Strengthening Method. Proceedings of the 16th National Academic Conference of the Chinese Sleep Research Society and the Hubei Science and Technology Academic Annual Conference, 2024: 1.

Zhu HY, 2022, Clinical Observation of Modified Xiaochaihu Decoction in Treating Perimenopausal Women with Liver Depression and Spleen Deficiency Type Insomnia. Heilongjiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Downloads

Published

2025-02-27