What Chinese medicine should not be taken by women during menopause

Taking inappropriate Chinese medicines during menopause may pose a safety hazard to women. Some Chinese medicines that may cause hormone disorders or aggravate the condition need special attention. For example, Chinese medicines containing a large amount of phytoestrogens may disrupt the hormone balance in the body, and Chinese medicines with extreme cold and heat may increase discomfort symptoms. It is recommended to consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to prescribe a personalized prescription based on the specific situation.

1) Avoid Chinese medicines containing large amounts of phytoestrogens

Chinese medicines such as Polygonum multiflorum and Astragalus contain high levels of phytoestrogens, which may interfere with hormone regulation in women during menopause. Since estrogen levels in women during menopause fluctuate greatly, taking such medicines may aggravate symptoms such as breast tenderness and mood swings, and even increase the risk of breast diseases. It is recommended that women during menopause use such Chinese medicines with caution, especially without professional guidance.

2) Use cold or hot drugs with caution

Cold medicines such as rhubarb and gypsum, or hot medicines such as aconite and cinnamon, can easily aggravate the discomfort of women during menopause. For example, cold Chinese medicines may cause body coldness or diarrhea, while hot medicines may cause internal heat or dryness. The cold and hot properties of Chinese medicines are closely related to the patient's constitution. If used indiscriminately, it will affect the balance of the body. When women in menopause use cold and hot medicines, they need to use them according to syndrome differentiation under the guidance of a doctor.

3) Be careful of Chinese medicines containing toxic ingredients

Women in menopause are susceptible to the toxic components of some traditional Chinese medicines due to their weakened metabolic function. For example, common toxic herbs such as Aconitum, Chuanwu, and Caowu may cause serious consequences such as arrhythmia and nervous system damage if taken improperly. Such drugs are generally processed and detoxified before they can be used safely, but they still need to be selected under the guidance of professional doctors.

Women in menopause need to be extra careful when choosing Chinese medicine for conditioning, and avoid blindly taking the above types of Chinese medicine, so as not to increase the burden on the body or cause potential risks. It is recommended to use appropriate Chinese medicine prescriptions through syndrome differentiation and treatment under the guidance of Chinese medicine professionals, and combine diet conditioning and health management to ensure good health and smooth menopause.