Pelvic Health > Start Here | Overview

Pelvic Health: A Journey Of Flow And Balance

Pelvic issues can feel isolating. They're often complex, deeply personal, and rarely discussed.

a close up image of a woman's abdomen, held by relaxed hands. Representing the embodied pelvic health.

Have you ever wondered, “Is this normal?”, felt dismissed as “too hormonal,” asked yourself, “Will this ever end?” or believed you were the only one dealing with it—you’re not alone.

Whether you're dealing with pain, emotional ups and downs, hormonal chaos, or simply want to understand your body better, support do exist. You deserve compassionate, personalized care that takes you seriously.

Pelvic health touches nearly every part of your life—how you pee, poop, experience your period, relate to sex, get pregnant, recover postpartum, and move through menopause. But it’s not just physical. Your pelvis holds patterns, memories, tension, and transformation.

This space offers an overview of pelvic and menstrual health from both modern and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspectives. Because your period is a foundational rhythm, we start there. Individual conditions—like endometriosis, fertility, or menopause—are explored on separate pages.

If there’s something you’d like us to cover, you can submit an anonymous suggestion, or sign up for newsletter for updates.

If you're new to TCM, it might be helpful to start with the What is TCM? page, so you have context for the terms and concepts used here.

Scroll or jump to whatever feels most relevant to you today.

What Is Pelvic Health?

Pelvic health is more than just anatomy—but let’s start with “the stuff.”

Image below is a cross-section of your lower body. Nestled inside your pelvis (from front to back) are your bladder, uterus, and rectum, all supported by a hammock of muscles known as the pelvic floor.

Lateral anatomical illustration of the female pelvis showing bladder, uterus, rectum, and pelvic floor muscles in relation to each other.

These structures play a role in multiple systems:

  • Urinary – bladder, kidneys, flow, urgency

  • Reproductive – ovaries, uterus, menstruation, conception

  • Digestive – elimination, bloating, gut tension

  • Musculoskeletal – pelvic floor, hips, lower back, posture

  • Sexual – pleasure, libido, intimacy, and identity

This area shifts throughout life—from childhood, through puberty, menstrual cycles, fertility journeys, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause.

Your pelvis is a dynamic container, constantly adapting and communicating with the rest of your body.

Also, If you’ve ever been told your uterus is tilted (you might see it on an ultrasound report), that can affect symptoms too—like urinary urgency or back pain. It’s something worth exploring: What is an anteverted uterus? – Cleveland Clinic

What Does a “Healthy” Period Actually Look Like?

It’s common to hear that periods are painful, messy, and emotionally overwhelming. But while that may be common, it’s not necessarily normal.

A healthy period tends to be much quieter than we expect.

This is your ultimate goal for menstrual concerns. A healthy period looks like:

  • Arrives every 26–30 days (21–35 is still considered within a healthy range)

  • Lasts 3–7 days

  • Involves around 35 mL of total blood loss (about 2–3 tablespoons)

  • Fresh red blood (not dark)

  • Minimal to no clots

  • Little or no spotting before or after

  • Odourless

  • Comes with no—or very mild—PMS, cramps, headaches, or digestive shifts

If that sounds unrealistic, you’re not alone. We’ve been taught to expect suffering for so long.

But in Chinese medicine, menstruation is seen as a vital sign of overall health—not something to suppress or dread.

In fact, TCM sees that Uterus is one of the Extraordinary organs, NOT just another organ.

Healthy Monthly Cycles

Menstrual health isn’t just about when you’re bleeding. It’s your everyday life.

Color-coded infographic of the menstrual cycle phases—menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal—highlighting hormonal changes in estrogen and progesterone levels relevant to pelvic and menstrual health

Even if you don’t have major symptoms, your body is cycling every month—shifting hormones, energy, and emotions.

When your system is in balance, the cycle feels smooth and manageable. But when something’s off, the body tends to speak up.

Here’s a quick overview of the menstrual cycle phases:

Menstruation (Days 1–5): Inner Winter

  • The uterus sheds its lining (Menstruation)

  • The body is letting go

  • Energy turns inward

Follicular Phase (Days 1–14): Inner Spring

  • Hormones begin rising (especially estrogen)

  • The body builds a nourishing “egg mattress” (Endometrium/Uterine lining)

  • Energy starts lifting

Ovulation (Days 12–16): Inner Summer

  • One egg is released

  • Cervical mucus becomes clear/stretchy (“fertile mucus”)

  • Libido peaks, energy is vibrant

Luteal Phase (Days 15–28): Inner Autumn

  • The body prepares for pregnancy (even if you’re not trying)

  • Progesterone rises (a calming hormone)

  • You may feel more tired, reflective, or inward

If your cycle feels like sailing through a stormy ocean, it’s not your fault—but it likely means there’s an underlying imbalance. The good news? We can work on it to bring things back into balance.

And here’s something to remember: It takes about 100 days for an egg to mature. The choices you make now—nutrition, stress, rest—can shape your cycle three months from now. Change is possible. It just takes time.
And each phase naturally leads into the next, creating the “cycle”.

Your Uterus is a Shape-Shifter

Did you know your uterus changes size throughout your cycle?

Anatomically approximate uterus models held in two hands: red at the menstruation, 8oz, and pink one at ovulation, at 4oz. Demonstrating that uterus is not fixed in size.

These are anatomically approximate uterus models:

  • Around ovulation (PINK): about 4 oz

  • At menstruation (RED): about 8 oz

  • Menopause: it gradually becomes smaller than the pink one

Each month, the uterus thickens its lining, then contracts (like a mini labor) to release what it built (endometrium/blood) during menstruation. Yet, many of us are expected to carry on like nothing’s happening.

No wonder it’s exhausting!

7/8-Year Cycles: Growing In Rhythm

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), female bodies are said to transform every 7 years (and male bodies every 8). These shifts aren’t just physical—they’re deeply connected to your vitality, fertility, and Essence (more on that below). They also shape who you are as a person, influencing your emotional and mental maturity.

Here’s how the rhythm unfolds:

  • Age 7: Baby teeth fall out, adult teeth emerge

  • Age 14: First period (menarche) arrives; fertility begins

  • Age 21: Reproductive energy peaks

  • Age 28: Emotional and physical strength reach balance

  • Age 35: Subtle shifts begin—less energy, changes in skin and hair

  • Age 42: Fertility declines, signs of aging become more noticeable

  • Age 49: Menopause often begins—a new phase of wisdom

When each cycle is well-supported, you can move into the next phase with greater ease and resilience.

These long cycles are governed by the TCM Kidneys (see below) and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
When exploring menstrual and pelvic health, we sometimes trace back to your birth story—or even your family lineage. It’s important to understand what’s happening now, but also to recognize what has brought you here.

Essence & Heavenly Water: Sacred Substances

In TCM, you’re born with a vital reserve of energy called Essence—your inherited foundation for growth, fertility, and longevity (What is Essence?).

Menstrual blood is not seen as waste, but rather as a precious expression of this essence. It’s sometimes referred to as Heavenly Water or Heavenly Dews (Tian Gui in Chinese).

Let’s pause to consider the impact of retrieving multiple eggs—sometimes over 20—at once during the fertility treatment, when typically only one egg is released during ovulation. Since it takes about 100 days for eggs to mature, nourishment-based treatments become especially important during this time. These treatments help preserve your body's Essence, ensuring that your eggs remain of good quality without depleting your vital reserves. We want to protect and nourish your precious Essence.

Major Players of TCM Organs in Menstrual Seasons

Alongside the 7-year life cycles, our body is also constantly moving through another rhythm: the seasons.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we honour the body’s internal rhythm—its own nature and seasons within the monthly cycle.:

A lone green tree by calm water under a soft sky, symbolizing harmony and balance in nature's Five Elements.

We are in sync with nature… but what does that really mean?

Have you heard the expression “moon cycle” for menstruation? That’s because we are more aligned with the moon than the sun. Healthy menstrual cycles tend to sync with lunar rhythms, and we experience around 13 menstrual cycles a year—just like there are 13 full moons.

In TCM, the Five Elements and organ systems (Zang) play an integral role in your cycle. Rather than isolating hormones as separate functions, TCM sees hormonal balance as a reflection of organ health:

    • Menstruation: Bleeding phase

    • Your deep reserves—the storehouse of Essence, related to egg quality and ovarian reserve.

    • The Kidneys govern reproduction, growth, aging, and vitality.

    • Healthy Kidney energy is foundational for regular menstruation, fertility, and long term resilience.

    • Weak Water energy may show up as irregular cycles, low back pain, infertility, early aging, or burnout.

    • Associated with Winter: a healthy, well-cultivated winter gives rise to a flourishing spring and new life.

    • Menstruation: Post-menstrual phase

    • The timekeeper and mover.

    • The Liver stores Blood and regulates the free flow of Qi—both essential to a smooth cycle.

    • Wood imbalances often lead to PMS, irritability, breast tenderness, menstrual cramps, anger, or digestive upset.

    • Associated with Spring: new life is awakened by Winter’s stillness and begins to grow toward Summer.

    • Menstruation: Ovulation phase

    • The conductor of emotional and energetic harmony.

    • The Heart, associated with the Fire element, connects directly to the Uterus via the Bao Mai—a special channel linked to ovulation and emotional intimacy.

    • Fire imbalances can show up as anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, and even disruptions in ovulation.

    • Associated with Summer: a time of fullness, expansion, and radiance—eventually giving way to the harvest of Fall.

    • Menstruation: Luteal and transition between phases

    • Your internal chef and the builder of Blood.

    • In TCM, the Spleen governs digestion—not just food, but also how we digest life. It provides the raw materials (Qi and Blood) needed to nourish the uterine lining.

    • Weak Earth energy might present as fatigue, bloating, worry, or scanty or overly thin bleeding.

    • Associated with Late Summer: the grounding time between seasons that helps prepare the body to shift.

    • Menstruation: Luteal / Premenstrual phase

    • Often overlooked in menstrual health, but vitally important.

    • Metal elements help with circulation, boundaries, and elimination—both physically (immune system, skin) and emotionally (grief, letting go).

    • They also govern receptivity—like conception, when the egg receives the sperm.

    • Associated with Fall: the season of harvest and release, preparing the ground for Winter.

All of this is to say:
A hot summer brings harvest in the fall. Leaves begin to fall, nourishing the soil. Cold winter offers rest and protection. Then, in spring, the seeds begin to sprout again—and the cycle continues.

These seasonal rhythms offer a powerful way to care for the menstrual cycle—gently, intuitively, and in harmony with nature.

Just like the outer seasons, one organ supports the next, creating a continuous circle of nourishment within the menstrual cycle. This same principle also applies to the broader 7/8-year cycles of life: we move through seasons from birth to death, each one essential, each one with its own medicine.

As you can see by now, in TCM, your menstrual health can be influenced by both things outside and inside your control. External factors like cold weather, wind, or humidity can affect how your body functions and throw off your cycle. Internal factors—like eating habits, chronic stress, emotional strain, or overworking—can weaken the major organs we talked about earlier.

In modern times, we also have to consider environmental toxins and xenoestrogens (synthetic, hormone-disrupting substances that can be much more potent than your body’s natural estrogen).

This is why how you live—what you eat, how you move, rest, and relate to stress—matters deeply.

The good news? That means you have a lot of power to support your pelvic health simply by making gentle, consistent shifts in daily life. It’s truly empowering.

So… sorry to break it to you, but too much ice cream and rocking a mini-skirt in cold weather might not be doing your uterus any favours!

Internal and External Factors

Those are only examples, but here are some commonly treated conditions.

We're working on a dedicated conditions page. Have something you'd like us to include? Feel free to submit Anonymous Website Content Request or sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on new resources!

Pelvic Health-Related Conditions

    • Pain in the Pelvic Floor

    • Painful Sex

    • Tailbone Pain

    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

    • Itchiness

    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases

    • Surgery, Scars & Adhesions

    • Sexual Trauma

    • Shame, anger, frustration

    • Hopelessness

    • Adenomyosis

    • Endometriosis

    • Uterine fibroids

    • PCOS

    • PCOS, Uterine Fibroid

    • Cervical Dysplasia

    • Yeast Infection

    • Bacterial Vaginosis

    • Bartholin Cysts

    • Heavy Vaginal Discharge

    • Uterine prolapse

    • PMS (including canker sores, sore tongue, mood, diarrhea, constipation, craving, fever, HA)

    • PMDD

    • No or Irregular cycle

    • Short or Long Cycle

    • Heavy or Scanty Flow

    • Mid Cycle Bleeding

    • Menstrual Headaches

    • Menstrual tongue sores

    • Heavy Vaginal Discharge

    • Fertility Prep

    • Infertility

    • Premature Ovulation Failure

    • Miscarriage

    • Early Pregnancy Loss

    • Anger, Resentment

    • Frustration, Self-Esteem

    • Healthy Pregnancy

    • Pregnancy Loss Prevention

    • Morning sickness

    • Pelvic Girdle Pain

    • Low Back Pain

    • Sciatica, Leg Cramps

    • Blood Sugar Issues

    • Blood Pressure Issues

    • Breech Babies

    • Birth/Labour Prep (We don’t call it “induction”)

    • Postpartum Recovery

    • Pelvic Organ Prolapse

    • Urinary Incontinence

    • Postpartum Depression

    • Postpartum Anxiety

    • Stress, Fatigue

    • Difficulty Transitioning

    • Heavy Flow

    • Vaginal Dryness

    • Hot Flashes

    • Night Sweats

    • Mood Swings

    • Libido Challenges

    • Identity and Sexuality

    • Bladder Infection

    • Intersticial Cystitis

    • Pelvic Organ Prolapse

    • Night time urination

    • Frequent Urination

    • Urinary Leakage

    • Unable to urinate

    • Constipation

    • Nervous Tummy

Tracking Your Menstrual Cycle

Tracking your cycle is especially helpful in the beginning—but not just for the sake of tracking. It's about getting to know your unique body.

While noting when Day 1 begins, estimating ovulation, and predicting your next period are useful, what’s even more valuable is noticing the patterns: What actions or foods might have contributed to certain symptoms—or to having no symptoms at all? What’s happening in your life? Your emotional state? Energy levels? Stress? Even the weather?

It can be empowering to become that “intimate” with your cycle.

We recommend using a paper tracker with a small diary section—somewhere to jot down thoughts or observations at the end of the day. If it’s a circular-style tracker, even better!

It helps you see that your cycle is exactly that: a cycle. You’re not just moving forward in a straight line—you’re circling back to Day 1 each time, with deeper insight.

Bonus tip: eye health is connected to menstrual health, so stay away from harsh screens whenever possible.

How Can You Support Your Cycle?

It is a big question because it depends on your patterns etc..

But in general, the key is honouring the natural rhythm of your body and understanding what each phase needs. Just like each season requires different actions to maintain harmony (e.g., wearing warm clothes in winter or enjoying fresh air in spring), your body asks for different support at different times of the month.

  • During Menstruation phase, focus on rest, relaxation, and nourishing foods.
    Best to avoid vigorous activities such as high impact sports and over-exertion, having sex, or exposing to cold (swimming) etc..

  • During Post Menstrual (Follicular) phase, prioritize on gentle movement, creativity, and eat leafy greens. Replenishing food is key.

  • Around the Ovulation phase, it is all about nurturing your heart, engaging with others, and celebrating vitality.

  • As you move into the Earth (Luteal) phase, ensure your body is supported with grounding, easy to digest foods and plenty of rest and casual walks.

  • In the Metal (Pre-Menstruation) phase, embrace reflection and emotional release, giving yourself permission to slow down and prepare for the next cycle.

There are more to this and it can be adjusted based on individual’s conditions.

The Bigger Picture: Digestion, Emotions, Sleep & More

You can see by now that your menstruation (or uterus) doesn’t work in isolation from the environment or other systems. It is deeply connected to your overall health—from head to toe, inside and out. So, we also look at other aspects of your health while working on your pelvic health:

  • Digestion: In TCM, digestion is seen as central to your overall vitality. Poor digestion can lead to energy imbalances, and these can show up in your menstrual cycle. Ensuring that your digestive system is functioning well can help regulate your hormones and improve your overall health.

  • Emotions: Emotional balance is essential to maintaining a healthy cycle. TCM recognizes the close relationship between emotional health and physical well-being. Stress, anxiety, and unresolved emotions can disrupt the flow of Qi and affect menstrual regularity, leading to conditions like PMS or irregular cycles. Addressing emotional health through acupuncture, herbs, and mindful practices can significantly improve your menstrual experience.

  • Sleep: Rest is crucial for hormonal balance and the proper functioning of your body. Sleep disturbances can impact your energy levels, mood, and hormonal health—all of which play a role in regulating your cycle. TCM emphasizes the importance of a regular sleep schedule to restore balance and support menstrual health.

TCM Ways of Supporting Pelvic Health (Menstrual Health)

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is all about achieving balance and harmony within your body—and this naturally extends to your menstrual cycle. TCM doesn’t just focus on the reproductive system; it considers your entire being: digestion, emotions, sleep, and lifestyle—all of which play key roles in maintaining a balanced rhythm throughout your cycle. TCM looks at “patterns” (what is happening behind the scene), so the treatment plans might look different from person to person.

Here are some of the TCM treatment options that support menstrual and pelvic health. Care is delivered both online and in-person so you can get support no matter where you are:

Lifestyle Adjustments:

Lifestyle is your daily mileage on the healing journey, it plays a significant role in TCM. Making subtle, intentional shifts can help harmonize your body’s internal systems with the natural rhythms of your cycle. Whether you're aiming for a pain-free period, support with fertility or pregnancy, or a smoother perimenopausal transition, lifestyle matters.
We also consider modern influences—like environmental toxins (including xenoestrogens) through TCM lens, and offer guidance for minimizing their impact. There are a lot of things you can do!

Diet & Nourishment:
Food fills not only your body, but also heart and life. Diet is a foundational part of pelvic health in TCM. It’s not just what you eat, but how you eat — with warmth, presence, and rhythm. A nourishing diet supports digestion, builds blood, and strengthens the systems that govern reproductive health. And yes, this can still be delicious and satisfying — it's about finding what works for your body.

Herbal Medicine:
Herbal Medicine is your daily dose of care. Herbs are essential tools for addressing imbalances in the body. In TCM, herbal medicine is often used to regulate the menstrual cycle, support pelvic health, and bring the body back into harmony. Custom prescriptions are available, even through online sessions.

Acupuncture:
Think of acupuncture as an ancient version of OS updates. It helps re-regulate the body and nervous system so that your mind and body can work in sync—without pain or discomfort.

You might also find these pages helpful as a starting point:

Massage Therapy for Pelvic Health

Massage therapy is another powerful tool for alleviating symptoms such as pain, bloating, and fatigue.

At Tsumugi, we offer Pelvic Massage (Mercier Therapy)—a form of deep pelvic visceral manipulation that targets the reproductive organs. This technique helps release tension, improve circulation, and promote healthy blood flow. Many people choose to receive this care and find it deeply supportive.

It can be particularly helpful if you have scars or adhesions.

Pelvic Massage is discussed in more detail HERE.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes and no.

    We welcome all bodies.

    However, most of our training and clinical experience is focused on female pelvic health. This means we may not have the right tools for certain concerns like penile or prostate health. If that’s the case, we’re happy to refer you to a trusted practitioner who specializes in male pelvic care—because you deserve the best support possible.
    Feel free to book a FREE Discovery Call first - so that we can determine the next step together.

  • Absolutely. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) works really well alongside Western medicine. If your test results are “normal” but something still doesn’t feel right, we’ll look deeper—at your rhythms, patterns, and underlying imbalances. You might find these pages helpful:
    TCM Intake & Assessment, Personalized TCM Treatment Plan, and What to Expect during the course of TCM treatment.

  • It really depends on your body and what’s going on. Some people notice subtle shifts right away, while others may need a few cycles (about 2–4 months) to see meaningful changes. For issues like menstrual regulation, we usually aim for three consecutive symptom-free cycles before winding down care. We’ll go at your body’s pace.

  • You don’t have to—but we generally recommend herbs (along with lifestyle and nutrition) as part of treatment for pelvic health. When we’re trying to rebalance cycles or hormones, herbs can help us move the needle more efficiently. We’ll always take your comfort and preferences into account.

  • No.

    You don’t need a diagnosis or referral to come in. If something just feels “off”—whether it’s heavy periods, digestive changes, or pelvic tension—you’re welcome here. You don’t need a label to deserve care.

  • Yes!

    TCM shines in preventative care. If you’re approaching your 40s (or earlier) and want to support your body before symptoms appear, we can absolutely help. We’ll focus on nourishing your system and creating balance now, so your transition into (peri)menopause is as smooth as possible.

  • Not at all.

    You can absolutely receive treatment while on hormonal birth control. That said, it can be tricky to track menstrual changes or measure improvements while you’re not cycling naturally. If you and your prescribing doctor decide to stop it, we’ll support your body gently through that process—only when you’re ready.

When you start working with your cycle instead of against it, things shift. Your symptoms make more sense. Your energy returns. Your cycle becomes a source of insight—not just something to “get through.”

We’re here to support that reconnection—with tools from both modern and ancient medicine.