Health Knowledge (Excerpt)

  • 1. What is the ovary? What are its functions?
  • The ovary is a woman's internal reproductive organ. First, it produces eggs, which is responsible for childbirth; second, it secretes estrogen and progesterone (luteinizing hormone) in the female body.
  • 2. Ovarian self-report
  • The ovary is invisible and intangible, yet it is of paramount importance to women. Besides enabling women to bear children, it is also a crucial condition and substance for a woman's very being, as it is a vital endocrine organ that secretes estrogen. Nourished by estrogen, women have smooth skin, strong bones, soft voices, and fulfilling sex lives. However, if the ovary ages, estrogen secretion decreases, and everything reverses.
    Therefore, in medicine, the ovary is also known as the "source of life" and "power of youth" for women's health and beauty. Improving ovarian function is as important as maintaining the roots of a flower.
    Experts remind us: prolong the ovary's prime, preserve its vitality, and make women even more womanly!
    The Ovary's Heartfelt Confession
    : Hi, beautiful ladies, my name is the ovary. Your vibrant beauty and captivating smiles are all thanks to me. Some people often hear about me from others, yet are unfamiliar with this very important figure. Actually, I'm located in a woman's lower abdomen, on both sides. I'm a petite beauty, about 3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, and 1 cm thick, weighing a total of 4-8 grams. I connect to the uterus through the fallopian tubes. I am a woman's lifelong loyal companion, accompanying her throughout her life. When a tender baby girl comes into the world and utters her first delicate cry, I begin my long journey of life (in fact, during the fetal stage, the ovaries already contain a large number of follicles, as many as 700,000 to 2 million, but most of them will degenerate, atrelate, or disappear). At that time, I have a powerful army, possessing more than 2 million follicles—how spectacular! Unfortunately, not all follicles can grow healthily and happily. They are like participants in a long-distance race; only the winners will fully develop, while the others can only tragically degenerate!

    Do you remember those little secrets from your youth? Back then, I was just as excited as you, becoming tender, soft, and vibrant. With my help, your little body entered your teens, and you've grown into a graceful young woman. As this beautiful time of youth arrives, I only have 40,000 follicles left. But even these 40,000 follicles don't all mature. Because under normal circumstances, each ovary releases only one mature egg per month; this month, the left ovary is responsible for production, and the next month, the right ovary. During a girl's blossoming years, I release one mature egg each month, working tirelessly like this for about 20, 30, or even 40 years of her life. A girl's blossoming years are a crucial life stage. During this period, although those mature eggs have given her the ability to reproduce, her mind and body are not yet fully prepared. At this time, girls should receive sex education, letting this scientific knowledge guide their future lives. If I become diseased or am removed before puberty, a woman's reproductive organs will remain in a childlike state forever, and secondary sexual characteristics will never appear.
    Soon, a woman enters her 20s and 30s, and I normally secrete estrogen and progesterone, making her most radiant and beautiful. At this time, she will receive the sacred baptism of becoming a mother for the first time. This is the most radiant time of a woman's life; I have grown to the size of a quail egg. Don't think I'm small; this is my most mature stage, with a stable 400-500 follicles, supplying your body with more than 20 kinds of hormones and growth factors, maintaining your youthful state.
    Time flies by… My cortex begins to thin, the primordial follicles are depleted, function declines, and ovulation gradually ceases. After menopause, around the age of 50, I am only the size of a peanut, with drastically reduced weight and almost no functional activity. And all of this can occur prematurely due to external factors such as mental stress, toxins, and medications.
    But some women pay close attention to their health and take care of me in various ways, such as paying attention to their diet and taking supplements to regulate their endocrine system and slow down my aging process. I can feel their efforts, so I take extra care of them in return. Look, they look 10-20 years younger than their peers! So you must take good care of me, my health will be your greatest happiness!

  • 3. Is female aging caused by the ovaries?
  • Clinical manifestations include varying degrees of hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and other premenopausal symptoms, causing premature aging and bringing great suffering to the patient's physical and mental health and marital life. Aging is one of the main issues that women fear and are most concerned about. For a long time, the greatest threat to a woman's appearance has also been the ravages of aging. Therefore, women have always been fighting against aging. From the outside to the inside, people have gradually discovered that the ovary is so closely related to a woman's life. It is the soul that guides a woman; it is what makes a woman radiant, but it is also what makes a woman age prematurely... Therefore, we must pay attention to the ovary.
    In a woman's life, the ovary plays a very important role. From puberty to premenopause, the ovary undergoes cyclical changes in morphology and function. During sexual maturity, except for pregnancy and lactation, the ovary constantly repeats this cyclical change. However, in a woman's lifetime, only a maximum of 400-500 eggs can complete a full cycle. When the ovary stops secreting eggs, when a woman enters menopause, also known as menopause, the ovary is divided into two parts: the cortex and the medulla. Scattered throughout the ovary cortex are 300,000 to 700,000 primordial follicles, formed from oogonia during fetal development through cell division. Only 400 to 500 follicles mature in a woman's lifetime; the rest degenerate and disappear after reaching a certain stage.
    Currently, medicine has no way to make the ovaries secrete eggs for a longer period, thus prolonging reproductive function. Instead, artificially synthesized hormones can be used to replace the ovaries in secreting female hormones and maintain female endocrine function. Therefore, a healthy ovary is extremely precious for a woman. To have this, the first step is to protect the ovaries from damage and prevent premature ovarian failure
    (POF). POF refers to the persistent amenorrhea and atrophy of the sex organs in women under 40 years of age who have established regular menstruation due to declining ovarian function. It is often accompanied by elevated gonadotropin levels and decreased estrogen levels. Clinical manifestations include varying degrees of hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and other premenopausal symptoms, causing premature aging and significant suffering for the patient's physical and mental health and marital life.
    POF has warning signs and is treatable and preventable, with prevention being more important than treatment.
    Prevention is better than cure. To prevent premature ovarian failure, it is important to pay attention to changes in menstruation, such as infrequent menstruation, scanty menstruation, or eventually amenorrhea. In such cases, it is crucial to take preventative measures.
  • 4. What is premature ovarian failure?
  • Normally, ovarian function begins to decline in women between the ages of 45 and 50. If signs of decline appear before age 35, it is medically termed premature ovarian failure (POF). These women often experience amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea, elevated gonadotropin levels, and decreased estrogen levels. Clinical manifestations include varying degrees of hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and decreased libido—symptoms common around menopause.
    POF refers to the condition in women who have established regular menstruation, before the age of 40, due to declining ovarian function, resulting in persistent amenorrhea and atrophy of the sex organs. It is often accompanied by elevated gonadotropin levels and decreased estrogen levels, and clinical manifestations include varying degrees of hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and decreased libido—symptoms common around menopause. This causes premature aging, bringing significant suffering to their physical and mental health and marital life. POF significantly impacts women's quality of life.
    It is a common disease among women in recent years, especially white-collar women. According to the "Chinese Women's Sexuality Survey," 57% of women over 40 frequently experience vaginal dryness and insufficient lubrication. From a Western medical perspective, the cause is premature ovarian failure, leading to a decrease or even disappearance of estrogen secretion. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, it relates to the kidneys, liver, and spleen, with the kidneys playing a crucial role. If kidney yin is insufficient, the liver loses its nourishment, resulting in impaired function of regulating qi; if kidney yang is insufficient, it leads to deficiency of essence, blood, and qi, causing malnourishment of the uterus and triggering premature ovarian failure. Declining
    ovarian function can cause varying degrees of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, depression, and irritability. Vaginal dryness and insufficient lubrication not only significantly impact marital sex life but can also damage the vaginal mucosa, easily leading to viral and bacterial infections, inducing vaginitis or worsening existing conditions, greatly affecting quality of life and physical and mental health.
    Experts remind us: The ovaries are the source of a woman's health, beauty, and happiness! Prevent ovarian aging early through lifestyle changes to preserve your youth and beauty!
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    • 5. Why is ovarian maintenance necessary?
    • Human life expectancy has increased to 80 years, while menopause for women has only been delayed slightly. Menopause typically occurs around age 50. Subtracting 50 from 80 gives us a full 30 years of middle and old age. How should we spend this long period? Should we allow our appearance to age rapidly, our bodies to become out of shape, and our bodies to be constantly plagued by illness, or should we strive to shorten this period and delay aging? Everyone would unanimously choose the latter.
    • 6. Long-term effects of premature ovarian failure on health
    • (I) Osteoporosis: Both estrogen and progesterone can inhibit bone resorption, prevent bone loss, and prevent osteoporosis. After ovarian function declines, blood estrogen and progesterone levels decrease, bone loss accelerates, and patients are prone to osteoporosis and even fractures. Clinically, the manifestations of osteoporosis are closely related to peak bone mass. Past cross-sectional studies showed that the peak bone mass age for women was around 30 years old. Recent longitudinal studies have found that the peak bone mass age for women is around 20 years old. After adjusting for body size, there is no gender difference in peak bone mass. After age 20, the annual bone loss rate in most parts of both sexes is 0.5%-1%. Bone loss accelerates in the 5-10 years before and after menopause, at about 1.8%-3.5% per year. The rate of bone loss decreases after 10 years of menopause. Regardless of age, the rate of bone loss after menopause is generally similar. Premature ovarian failure (POF) patients, due to earlier menopause and higher peak bone mass at menopause, experience a relatively longer interval between the onset of osteoporosis symptoms and menopause. However, this premature menopause accelerates bone loss, resulting in lower bone mineral density (BMD) in all areas compared to women of the same age. This leads to a higher incidence of osteoporosis and fractures at all ages. Yao Jilong et al. found that the fasting urinary calcium to creatinine ratio, urinary hydroxyproline to creatinine ratio, and serum alkaline phosphatase levels in POF patients were all higher than in normal controls of the same age, indicating enhanced bone resorption in POF patients. Anasti et al., after measuring femoral neck BMD in POF women, found that two-thirds of these patients had femoral neck BMD less than one standard deviation lower than their peers. In patients with a disease duration of more than six months, nearly half had femoral neck BMD less than one standard deviation lower than their peers.
      (II) Cardiovascular Disease Research indicates that atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels begin from the moment angiogenesis occurs. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, adverse genetic background, and unfavorable life experiences all influence the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. Research over the past 60 years has found that differences in serum estrogen levels are a major factor contributing to the lower incidence of cardiovascular disease in premenopausal women compared to men of the same age. Estrogen supplementation can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women at all ages. Further research has found that estrogen can improve the composition of blood lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins; it has antioxidant effects to protect vascular endothelial cells; it promotes the production of NO and PGI; it inhibits the production of endothelin, vascular endothelial growth factor, and thromboxane; and it improves insulin resistance. Its comprehensive effect provides protection for the cardiovascular system. Han Ziyan et al. found that patients with premature ovarian failure (POF) had higher levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and apolipoprotein B100 than women of the same age, while their high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoprotein AI levels were lower. After estrogen and progesterone supplementation, all of these changes reversed, except for a continued increase in triglycerides. Therefore, if POF patients do not supplement with estrogen, their incidence of cardiovascular disease is higher than that of women of the same age.
      (III) Recent studies suggest that estrogen may have the effect of delaying the onset of disease and improving skin elasticity and joint function. Therefore, POF patients may develop early-onset Alzheimer's disease earlier.
      Experts remind that whether POF directly leads to a shorter lifespan is still in a diagnostic stage. However, once diagnosed with POF, active treatment is necessary.
    • 7. Which women urgently need ovarian care?
    • A. Women
      with irregular menstruation: Regular menstruation is a sign of normal ovarian function. Irregular menstruation not only accelerates aging but also increases gynecological diseases and can cause menopause to occur 5 to 10 years earlier.
      B. Women experiencing skin aging and body shape changes:
      Yellowing skin, spots, increased wrinkles, and sagging and deformed waist, abdomen, and breasts are signs that ovarian atrophy is beginning!
      C. Women who have had abortions or have been taking birth control pills long-term:
      Abortion and long-term use of birth control pills cause malignant interference with the endocrine system, severely damaging the ovaries. Ovarian aging makes a woman appear older and weakens her constitution.
      D. Women with gynecological inflammation and vaginal odor:
      Once a woman has gynecological inflammation, she experiences vaginal odor, itching, and discomfort, making sexual intercourse feel like torture. Only by nourishing the ovaries and restoring their self-cleaning function can this be resolved.
      E. Women with poor ovarian function and infertility:
      Poor ovarian function significantly reduces the chances of pregnancy. Only by maintaining ovarian health and restoring ovarian function can pregnancy be possible!
      F. Women nearing menopause or within one year of menopause:
      Before and after menopause, the ovaries shrink, leading to osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
      G. Women with excessive estrogen:
      Excessive estrogen can cause malignant diseases in women such as breast hyperplasia, breast cancer, ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer.
      H. Women lacking estrogen:
      Severe estrogen deficiency in women can cause significant masculinization, such as facial hair growth, a deeper voice, and excessive body hair.
    • 8. Simple methods to determine ovarian function decline
    • First, after the age of 30, a woman's ovarian function begins to decline, disrupting the normal cycle of sex hormones and causing menstrual irregularities. Irregular cycles, such as early or late periods, irregular periods, excessive or insufficient menstrual flow, dark purple or pale red color, and thick or thin menstrual blood, are among the earliest signs of declining ovarian function.
      Second, one can use an ovarian function scoring scale to self-diagnose the degree of ovarian function decline.
      Symptoms:
      Menstrual irregularities: Basic score 4 points, severity: None (0 points); Frequent, scanty or heavy flow, shortened or prolonged menstrual period (2 points); Amenorrhea (3 points)
      Insomnia: Basic score 2 points, severity: None (0 points); Occasionally (1 point); Frequent, effective with sleeping pills (2 points); Affects work and life (3 points)
      Easily agitated: Basic score 2 points, severity: None (0 points); Occasionally (1 point); Frequent, can control (2 points); Frequent, cannot control (3 points)
      Sensory disturbances: Basic score 2 points, severity: None (0 points); Related to weather Related (1 point); Usually experiencing cold, heat, pain, or numbness (2 points); Loss of cold or heat (3 points)
      Skin changes: Basic score 2 points, degree: None (0 points); Loss of luster, dry skin (1 point); Age spots, wrinkles (2 points); Dry, withered skin, melasma (3 points)
      Hot flashes and sweating: Basic score 4 points, degree: None (0 points); <3 times/day (1 point); 3-9 times/day (2 points); ≥10 days (3 points)
      Depression and suspicion: Basic score 1 point, degree: None (0 points); Occasionally (1 point); Frequently, controllable (2 points); Life belief (3 points)
      Dizziness: Basic score 1 point, degree: none (0 points); occasional (1 point); frequent, does not affect life (2 points); affects daily life (3 points)
      Fatigue: Basic score 1 point, degree: none (0 points); occasional (1 point); difficulty climbing four floors (2 points); limited daily activities (3 points)
      Bone and joint pain: Basic score 1 point, degree: none (0 points); occasional (1 point); frequent, does not affect function (2 points); functional impairment (3 points)
      Headache: Basic score 1 point, degree: none (0 points) Palpitation: Basic score 1 point, severity: none (0 points); Occasionally (1 point); Frequently, tolerable (2 points); Requires treatment (3 points) Skin
      tingling: Basic score 1 point, severity: none (0 points); Occasionally (1 point); Frequently, does not affect life (2 points); Requires treatment (3 points)
      Urinary tract
      infection: Basic score 2 points, severity: none (0 points); <3 times/year (1 point); >3 times/year (2 points); >1 time/month (3 points) Sexual life status: Basic score 2 points, severity: none (0 points); Decreased libido (1 point); Dyspareunia (2 points); Loss of libido (3 points)
      The scoring method is the sum of the product of the basic score and the severity score of each symptom. A total score higher than 8 points indicates that ovarian function has begun to decline, a score higher than 19 points indicates that ovarian function decline is severe, and a score higher than 31 points indicates that the symptoms of ovarian function decline are very severe.
      For example, if you occasionally experience irregular menstruation, frequent insomnia, and decreased libido, your ovarian function score would be 4×1 + 2×2 + 2×1 = 10 points, indicating that your ovarian function is beginning to decline. Please refer to this table to assess your ovarian function and seek early treatment with medications to improve it.
      • 9. The key to a youthful state is maintaining hormonal balance!
      • a. Importantly,
        every healthy adult woman has the ability to secrete estrogen, maintaining a delicate balance. When our own estrogen secretion declines, we need to supplement with health products to regulate and balance estrogen levels in the body.
        b. Resist the temptation of cigarettes.
        An essential enzyme in estrogen synthesis is aromatase, and nicotine inhibits the production of aromatase, reducing estrogen production. Women who smoke lose estrogen, resulting not only in rough skin and premature wrinkles, but also in an average earlier menopause by 3-4 years. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is also more severe.
        c. Embrace isoflavones.
        Some plants in nature also contain "estrogen." A typical and common example is soybeans. Soybeans contain a substance called "soy isoflavones," whose molecular structure is very similar to estrogen and also possesses estrogenic activity. Therefore, soy isoflavones are also known as phytoestrogens. Some health products now recognize the effects of isoflavones, such as "Jin Ciyuan Yangyan Tianyun Capsules." d. Protect your bones and prevent osteoporosis.
        If you only start paying attention to this issue after menopause when osteoporosis develops, the bone loss will already be very serious. We must start now: First, ensure sufficient calcium intake in your diet. At this time, our estrogen levels are high, which improves calcium absorption, making calcium supplementation more effective. Second, exercise regularly so that more calcium can be deposited in the bones.
        A balanced diet, sufficient calcium, and physical exercise are important conditions for young women to achieve high peak bone mass. Women with high peak bone mass are less likely to develop osteoporosis after menopause, even if they experience some bone loss. Conversely, if a good bone foundation is not established at this time, it will be difficult to withstand the bone calcium loss that comes with menopause. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need a lot of calcium; if it is not replenished in time, bone loss is difficult to compensate for, especially in older pregnant women.
      • 10. Scientific ovarian care: Respecting human physiological rhythms
      • A love of beauty is a woman's nature, and possessing a beautiful figure and radiant complexion is a woman's eternal pursuit! However, when faced with premature ovarian failure, neither going to beauty salons nor using expensive cosmetics can fundamentally solve the problem. Some even arbitrarily supplement estrogen, causing numerous side effects and leading to deep regret! Faced with the increasingly popular "ovarian nourishment" trend in the market, many people are asking, "How can we safely and effectively solve the problem of premature ovarian failure?"
        Scientific research has proven that premature ovarian failure is caused by a lack of proteases in ovarian tissue cells, leading to ovarian dysfunction and decreased secretion. Therefore, ovarian maintenance not only requires replenishing the proteases lost by ovarian tissue cells but also balancing the secretion of these two hormones (estrogen and progesterone) to avoid endocrine disorders caused by hormonal imbalances. This activates and restores the normal secretory function of ovarian tissue cells, restoring the ovaries to a youthful state, thus fundamentally solving the problem of premature ovarian failure.
        Experts remind us that scientific methods of ovarian nourishment must respect the body's natural laws and women's physiological characteristics. Furthermore, it is important not to supplement with only one hormone but to comprehensively and evenly regulate the endocrine system and supplement the various hormones needed by the body.
      • 11. How to properly maintain ovarian health?
      • The best way for women to protect estrogen is to strengthen exercise and maintain a balanced diet.
        Ovarian function begins in puberty and continues throughout a woman's reproductive years, gradually declining until menopause, with a lifespan of approximately 30 years. Its main functions are ovulation and the secretion of sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and a small amount of androgens). In a normal menstrual cycle, the ovaries undergo cyclical changes, and the body tissues and organs affected by the ovaries also undergo cyclical changes accordingly.
        How to properly maintain ovarian health?
        a) Follow the cyclical changes of the ovaries: In a menstrual cycle, the ovaries have the follicular phase, ovulation phase, and luteal phase. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the body's yin and yang, qi and blood, are in different states at different stages of the menstrual cycle. For example, the period after menstruation is dominated by yin, so excessive warming of yang is not advisable; instead, yin and blood should be nourished through quiet rest, and a light diet is recommended, such as legumes and tubers. The period before menstruation is dominated by yang, so it is appropriate to eat some warming foods or take some warming medications, and increase exercise to promote smooth qi and blood flow.
        b. Consider your individual constitution: Traditional Chinese medicine believes that people's constitutions differ in terms of Yin, Yang, cold, heat, deficiency, and excess. Foods also have different properties, such as tonifying, purging, and warming/cooling effects. For example, if someone has a constitution that is predominantly hot and not weak, consuming large amounts of warming and nourishing foods like deer antler glue, donkey-hide gelatin, black peaches, and sesame seeds for a long period to maintain ovarian health will exacerbate internal heat or dampness, leading to menstrual irregularities and symptoms of "internal heat."
        c. Physical and mental health is paramount: A good mental state helps maintain ovarian function. Female reproductive endocrine function is influenced by the cerebral cortex. Long-term fatigue, mental stress, or depression can suppress the cerebral cortex, directly affecting female endocrine function.
        d. Appropriate medication: With advancements in technology, some high-end ovarian health products can fully activate oocyte function, supplement estrogen secretion, accelerate metabolism, and have significant effects on nourishing the ovaries, beautifying the skin, removing blemishes, delaying aging, postponing menopause, and maintaining a youthful appearance!
      • 12. Premature ovarian failure affects women's quality of life.
      • Premature ovarian failure (POF) refers to the persistent amenorrhea and atrophy of the sex organs in women under 40 years of age who have established regular menstruation due to declining ovarian function. It is often accompanied by elevated gonadotropin levels and decreased estrogen levels. Clinical manifestations include varying degrees of hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and other premenopausal symptoms, causing premature aging and significant distress to their physical and mental health and marital life.
        POF is a common disease among women in recent years, especially white-collar women. According to the "Chinese Women's Sexuality Survey," 57% of women over 40 years old frequently experience vaginal dryness and insufficient lubrication. From a Western medical perspective, this is caused by premature decline in ovarian function and a decrease or even disappearance of estrogen secretion. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, it relates to the kidneys, liver, and spleen, with the kidneys playing a crucial role. Insufficient kidney yin leads to liver dysfunction and impaired liver function; insufficient kidney yang results in deficiency of essence, blood, and qi, leading to malnourishment of the uterus and triggering premature ovarian failure.
        Ovarian dysfunction can cause varying degrees of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, depression, and irritability. Vaginal dryness and insufficient lubrication can significantly impact sexual life and cause vaginal mucosal damage, making it susceptible to viral and bacterial infections, potentially leading to vaginitis or worsening existing conditions, thus greatly affecting quality of life and overall physical and mental health.
        Experts recommend paying attention to diet, consuming more soy products to obtain natural soy isoflavones; increasing intake of plant and animal proteins, while reducing salt and sugar intake, and avoiding animal and plant fats, tobacco, and alcohol. For more efficient absorption of isoflavones and plant and animal proteins, ovarian-nourishing and yin-tonifying health supplements can be taken directly.
        • 13. Why do women experience menopause?
        • Menopause generally refers to the transitional stage from fertility to infertility in women, and also refers to the period before and after menstruation, usually defined as between 40 and 60 years of age. Menopause is generally confirmed by the absence of menstruation for 12 consecutive months. Natural menopause at or after age 40 is called physiological menopause, menopause after age 55 is called "late menopause," and menopause before age 40 is called "early menopause," which may be pathological.
          So, why do women experience menopause?
          a. The direct cause of menopause is the lack of ovulation of mature follicles in the ovaries.
          The ovaries are the female gonads, whose main functions are ovulation and estrogen secretion, maintaining the menstrual cycle, fertility, and female secondary sexual characteristics. Undeveloped follicles in the ovaries are called primordial follicles. A female newborn has more than 100,000 primordial follicles in her ovaries, but only about 400 to 500 of them mature during her lifetime; the rest degenerate. Around age 50, a woman's ovarian primordial follicles are almost depleted. Furthermore, after decades of aging, even if some primordial follicles survive, their sensitivity to pituitary hormones significantly decreases, making it difficult for them to mature and produce sufficient estrogen and progesterone, ultimately leading to menopause.
          b. Genetics controls the number of primordial follicles in a woman's ovaries. The number of primordial follicles is determined by genetics and exhibits some familial variation; therefore, the age of menopause varies. Whether a primordial follicle matures depends on various environmental factors, such as age at menarche, marital status, nutrition, pregnancy and childbirth, breastfeeding, contraceptives, smoking, exercise, occupation, physical condition, climate, altitude, race, and economic status. The age of menopause is determined by genetics, which is determined by natural selection during evolution. Biological traits that are selected and preserved or strengthened must increase the number of offspring carrying those genes. However, menopause reduces the number of children a woman can have. Why are these genes preserved? The depletion and weakening of primordial follicles is the direct cause of menopause in women. The question is, why does natural selection cause women's primordial follicles to gradually deplete or lose vitality by their forties? Why doesn't the age of menopause gradually shift later until it disappears again? Such women could then reproduce more offspring. In reality, primordial follicle depletion is only the direct cause of menopause, not the ultimate cause. The evolutionary cause is the ultimate cause of menopause in women around the age of 50.
          c. Menopause is a result of increased human lifespan. In the more than 7 million years of human evolution, only a very small number of people, both men and women, have lived past 40. Genes naturally orchestrate the termination of reproduction after 40 (controlling the number of primordial follicles). Increased human lifespan is only a recent phenomenon, occurring in the last few decades. Given enough time (e.g., 10,000 years), humans could evolve any suitable biological trait. The result of human evolution is often to delay rather than accelerate aging. However, the aging of reproductive organs prolongs women's lives, and natural selection in the evolutionary process achieves a balance between maintaining health and reproducing. In underdeveloped societies, excessive childbirth shortens lifespan, while birth control extends it. Modern women either don't have children or have only one, resulting in significantly longer lifespans, but at the cost of menopause. Any benefit comes with a price.
          d. Menopause reduces the reproductive risks for older women. Even in affluent 20th-century Western societies, women over 40 were seven times more likely to die in childbirth than a 20-year-old mother. Furthermore, infants born to older women have lower survival and health rates. The older a woman is, the more children she raises, the more energy she spends caring for them, and the greater the risks of each subsequent pregnancy. Older mothers face fewer benefits and higher risks; having fewer children may actually increase the survival rate of more children.
          e. The onset of menopause may help maximize the number of children one has. Older women face high risks during pregnancy, with a low chance of their offspring surviving healthily. Conversely, their younger children are at their prime reproductive age, and their offspring have a higher survival rate. Instead of taking the extreme risk of childbirth themselves, older women can help care for their younger children, sacrificing personal gain for the sake of the species' survival.
          Menopausal women can dedicate most of their time (7 hours a day) to foraging for food, while teenage girls and newlywed women can only spend about 3 hours a day. Furthermore, the rewards of their labor increase with age and experience. Menopausal women no longer have underage children to feed and can share food with their grandchildren. Whether it is more beneficial for a woman to go through menopause or maintain fertility becomes clear once a cost-benefit analysis is presented.
          f. Menopausal women are crucial to the survival and reproduction of the primitive tribe. Most modern people obtain information through books, television, or newspapers. However, in primitive societies before the advent of writing, the few elderly people were seen as a treasure trove of information and practical experience, a library for the entire tribe, and crucial to the tribe's survival. This was because the elderly could clearly remember the events of past natural disasters and lead the tribe safely through famine. These elderly people were often postmenopausal women; men were less likely to reach this age than women.
          g. Why is menopause occurring earlier in modern women? Many women now experience menopausal syndrome around age 35, a condition academically termed "hidden menopause." Several reasons may exist: First, the age of menarche in modern women is earlier, averaging 12.5 years, while in primitive societies, the average age was 19 years. Second, fertility has decreased because the ovaries do not ovulate during the years of pregnancy and breastfeeding, thus conserving follicles. Thirdly, the fast pace of life, extreme mental stress, vitamin and trace element deficiencies, and reduced physical activity, coupled with obesity and chronic diseases, reduce the sensitivity of primordial follicles to pituitary hormones, leading to an increase in the number of atretic follicles and a decrease in the number of mature follicles, thus causing menopause to occur earlier.
          Women should receive menopausal health care earlier to delay the onset of menopause and improve their quality of life. Although genetics controls the number of primordial follicles, environmental factors determine the number of mature follicles. Therefore, menopause can be delayed by improving environmental factors, such as increasing exercise, improving nutrition, improving marital quality, maintaining psychological balance, quitting smoking, improving occupational status, strengthening physical fitness, and losing weight. Menopausal health care should not begin after the onset of menopausal syndrome, but should begin around age 30. Simultaneously, estrogen levels should be measured twice a year to obtain a normal baseline level, which can be used as a reference to guide hormone replacement therapy during menopause. The principle of supplementing what is lacking should be adhered to, maintaining female hormone levels within the normal range and improving the effectiveness and safety of hormone replacement therapy.
        • 14. If ovarian function declines, beware of a sudden increase in waist circumference!
        • Ms. Chen, now in her forties, had been experiencing abdominal bloating and waist thickening for over a year, which she attributed to weight gain. During her annual checkup, a gynecological examination and ultrasound revealed she had ovarian cancer, requiring hospitalization and surgery. Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, with a high degree of malignancy, but early detection and treatment offer hope for a cure. So, how can ovarian cancer be detected?
          Ovarian cancer is pathologically classified into three types: ovarian epithelial carcinoma, most commonly seen in women aged 30-50, often presenting with abdominal pain and bloating; ovarian malignant teratoma, more common in young women, with symptoms including abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, and fever; ovarian granulosa cell tumor, more common in women aged 40-55, presenting with menstrual irregularities or vaginal bleeding after menstruation; and endodermal sinus tumor, most common in young women, but occasionally in young girls. It is highly malignant and develops rapidly, often presenting with abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, persistent fever, and general weakness. Young girls may exhibit symptoms such as breast development and vaginal bleeding. When taking their medical history, patients often initially experience no discomfort. Upon further questioning, they often mention recent waistline increases, making their old pants unwearable, which they attribute to weight gain. In fact, these are early symptoms of ovarian cancer. Since
          the ovaries are deep in the pelvic cavity, no mass can be felt externally in the abdomen; only waistline increases or a feeling of mild abdominal bloating may be observed. Because malignant tumors grow rapidly, by the time obvious symptoms appear, the disease is often in its late stages. Therefore, doctors advise caution regarding this common gynecological condition and urinary and fecal matter monitoring. It is recommended to wake up in the morning on an empty stomach, having emptied your bladder and bowels. Lie on your back in bed with your hips and knees bent, abdomen relaxed, and use your fingertips to press on various parts of your lower abdomen, especially the sides, carefully feeling for any lumps. This may help in the early detection of ovarian masses. Self-examination is easier for thin women with soft skin.
          Experts remind us that weight gain, especially in middle-aged and older women, is often considered normal. However, sudden weight gain should not be ignored, as it may indicate the onset of gynecological tumors. To prevent this, it is essential to take care of your ovaries promptly.
        • 15. Four symptoms that may indicate ovarian cysts!
        • Ovarian tumors can occur at any age. Benign ovarian tumors mostly occur between 20 and 44 years of age, while malignant ovarian tumors mostly occur between 40 and 50 years of age. Ovarian tumors can also occur in adolescents or young girls, and are often malignant. Tumors occurring after menopause are also more likely to be malignant. Because ovarian tumors are located in the pelvic cavity, they are often asymptomatic in the early stages. However, malignant tumors spread rapidly, and more than 70% of patients are already in advanced stages when they seek medical attention. According to domestic and international reports, the five-year survival rate of malignant ovarian tumors has consistently hovered between 25% and 30%, and its mortality rate ranks first among gynecological malignancies.
          Four main symptoms suggest cysts
          : increased abdominal girth and abdominal mass are the most common complaints. Patients may notice their clothes or belts feeling tighter, only then realizing their abdomen is enlarged, or they may accidentally feel it in the morning and discover a mass in their abdomen upon palpation, accompanied by abdominal distension and discomfort.
          Compression symptoms include: large ovarian cysts compressing the diaphragm can cause palpitations and difficulty breathing; increased intra-abdominal pressure can affect venous return in the lower limbs, causing edema; bladder compression can cause urinary frequency, difficulty urinating, or urinary retention; cysts located in the rectouterine pouch can compress the rectum, causing a feeling of heaviness or difficulty urinating;
          abdominal pain is rare if the tumor has no complications. Therefore, abdominal pain experienced by ovarian tumor patients, especially when it occurs suddenly, is often due to torsion of the pedicle (torsion occurs in about 10% of ovarian tumors), and occasionally due to tumor rupture, bleeding, or infection. In addition, malignant cysts often cause abdominal and leg pain, which frequently leads patients to seek emergency care.
          Menstrual irregularities are also common: while ovarian tumors generally do not cause menstrual irregularities, if both ovaries are affected, symptoms can occur. Functional tumors can also cause menstrual irregularities, with symptoms varying depending on age: vaginal bleeding before puberty, menstrual irregularities in women of reproductive age, and irregular vaginal bleeding in postmenopausal women. Experts advise comprehensive ovarian care: For ovarian cysts, early care, early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment are crucial. If any ovarian abnormalities are detected, it is advisable to take ovarian health supplements for maintenance and regulation. If the condition is severe, please seek medical attention at a reputable hospital promptly.
          • 16. Workaholic women should be wary of premature ovarian failure.
          • Women should take good care of their bodies and pay close attention to whether each part of their body is in a normal state. Women's private parts especially need extra care!
            On the afternoon of November 5th, Qingyuan (pseudonym) stood blankly in the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for nearly half an hour, holding her medical records. It turned out that she, only in her thirties, had been diagnosed with premature ovarian failure. The chief physician said that Qingyuan hadn't menstruated for over a year, and her ovaries were like those of a 60-year-old postmenopausal woman, having lost their proper function. Two years ago, at the age of 30, Qingyuan's menstruation became irregular, with a sharp decrease in menstrual flow and a delay in the timing of her periods. "The work pressure is high now; how can I not work hard?" In recent years, Qingyuan has practically lived at the company. In her spare time, she hasn't been idle either, either studying marketing and planning on her own or enrolling in classes to build up her knowledge. “Because of work, I haven’t had a proper meal in the past few years. I skip breakfast, and lunch and dinner are all takeout and fast food.” “At first, my menstrual flow was lighter, and later, not only did my periods become irregular, but I also started experiencing hot flashes and irritability.” After questioning, it was found that she had not recently taken any medication, lost weight, or experienced a sudden increase in stress that could have caused the menstrual abnormalities. Therefore, Dr. Wang suggested that for this unexplained decrease in menstrual flow and prolonged menstrual cycle, it would be best to have an endocrine test. The results came back: low estrogen levels and elevated levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.
            “Premature ovarian failure has no obvious cause, but it is considered to be related to the fast pace of modern life, high work pressure, and an unreasonable diet.” Hearing the doctor’s explanation, Qingyuan recalled her previous “workaholic” lifestyle and felt very regretful.
            After examination and ruling out contraindications such as smoking, thrombotic diseases, and high blood pressure, she began ovarian maintenance.
            Expert commentary:
            Ovarian dysfunction was rare more than 10 years ago, but now there are more and more patients with light menstrual flow or even amenorrhea, especially young white-collar workers. Many women are indifferent to premature ovarian failure, even finding relief from not menstruating and neglecting medical treatment. They only seek medical attention when menstruation stops or becomes irregular.
            Therefore, if menstruation is abnormal, especially if menstruation is absent but resumes after estrogen use, endocrine testing should be performed as soon as possible to rule out ovarian dysfunction and premature ovarian failure.
            Furthermore, using inferior hair dyes, whitening cosmetics, and laundry detergents, which contain benzene, mercury compounds, hydrocarbon substitutes, and alkyl sulfonates, can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes, severely damaging ovarian function.
            A chief physician states that the key to treating premature ovarian failure is early prevention, early detection, and early treatment. The optimal time for treatment is within 12 months. Women who experience reduced menstrual flow or sudden cessation of menstruation should seek treatment promptly and not delay, lest they miss the optimal treatment window.
          • 17. The three stages of menopause
          • Menopause typically occupies nearly two-thirds of a woman's life, marking the gradual transition towards old age, generally signified by the cessation of menstruation. Medically, the period around menopause, lasting about one year before and after menopause, is called the perimenopausal period. It usually begins around age 40 and lasts for 10 to 20 years or more, divided into three stages:
            1. Premenopause—During this stage, the number of follicles in the ovaries decreases significantly, and the remaining follicles become less sensitive to pituitary gonadotropins. While women may still have relatively normal menstrual cycles and even conceive during this period, incomplete follicle development and anovulation are common, resulting in lower estrogen levels. However, pituitary gonadotropins, especially follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), remain higher than in a normal menstrual cycle, lasting for 2-5 years.
            2. Menopause—At this time, ovarian function further declines, and the secretion of sex hormones from the follicles decreases to an insufficient level to cause endometrial shedding and bleeding. If this condition lasts for more than one year, the last menstrual period is called menopause. The average age of menopause for urban women in China is 49, while for rural women it is 47, with 80% falling between 44 and 54 years old.
            3. After menopause, the ovaries further atrophy and become fibrotic, shrinking in size and hardening in texture. Endocrine function gradually disappears, and the reproductive organs shrink.
            Experts remind: These are some of the changes that occur after menopause in women. If you don't want to enter menopause prematurely, you need to take ovarian health care measures as soon as possible. Furthermore, menopause is a normal physiological change in the body; there's no need to be overly afraid. Just maintain a positive attitude.
          • 18. Six ways to adjust yourself through menopause
          • Menopause is a significant turning point in a woman's life. During this special period, due to the gradual decline in ovarian function and the reduction or even disappearance of sex hormone secretion, about 90% of women experience varying degrees of dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, hot flashes, night sweats, palpitations, insomnia, irritability, menstrual irregularities, loss of appetite, and other symptoms – truly entering a "turbulent autumn" in life. While the timing and duration of this stage vary slightly depending on the individual, it generally begins around age 45. In recent years, with increasing work and life pressures, urban women are even showing signs of menopause occurring as early as their 30s. Peng Yuhong, Deputy Chief Physician of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, suggests that women during this period should focus on self-regulation, learning from traditional Chinese medicine's principles of emotional well-being, and facing the changes in their lives with a calm and composed mind. Specifically, this can be achieved through six aspects of physical and mental adjustment:
            Self-acceptance:
            Recognizing that menopause is something everyone experiences, a natural transition from middle age to old age. This objective law of life activity applies to both men and women, but clinical observations show that women experience significantly more psychological and physiological changes and impacts than men. Understanding this characteristic and being psychologically prepared, women entering menopause should approach the various physiological and psychological changes with a calm and accepting attitude, acknowledging the changes that have occurred within themselves.
            Self-expression:
            From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the "seven emotions"—joy, anger, sorrow, happiness, worry, thought, and shock—are considered normal human emotions and responses. In life and work, emotions fluctuate and are expressed through various channels. It has been proven that those who are good at expressing themselves are generally healthier, while those who are not often harm their health. For women entering menopause, due to their lower emotional stability and greater emotional fluctuations, learning self-expression is particularly important. It is recommended to confide in and communicate with others, resolving conflicts amicably, and learning to control anger and practice empathy. In real life and work, a little bit of Ah Q spirit is necessary, but it's crucial to regulate emotions and maintain a balance—neither too much suppression nor too much loss of control.
            Self-diagnosis:
            Women entering menopause experience more pronounced physical weakness. Besides the gradual decline in the weight of the liver, brain, kidneys, spleen, and pancreas, women may also experience a series of physiological and psychological changes. The most common are anxiety, irritability, and nutritional imbalances due to metabolic changes. Diseases such as hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis, and tumors may even take advantage of this weakened state. Therefore, women should learn more about menopausal health care and, based on their own health conditions, learn to self-diagnose from subtle changes in daily life, promptly identifying hidden illnesses and taking early preventative and treatment measures. Finding joy
            in life:
            As the saying goes, "More interests, more joy." Menopausal women can cultivate their own activities outside of work and housework, such as flower arranging, gardening, traveling, cooking, dancing, reading, listening to music, shopping, etc. In addition, participating in various forms of fitness activities can help improve the quality of life during menopause, making life and work more energetic, improving sleep quality, preventing weight gain, and enhancing the body's resistance.
            Self-nourishing the ovaries:
            Women can regularly take ovarian health supplements according to their own conditions to regulate endocrine function, balance estrogen secretion, provide sufficient nutrition to follicles, restore normal follicle function, and thus alleviate or even eliminate menopausal symptoms. (This is also the fastest way to see results.)
            Dietary adjustments:
            Eat more animal and plant proteins, and less salt, sugar, and animal fat; eat more high-fiber foods and fresh vegetables and fruits to prevent constipation; supplement with calcium and vitamin D, and maintain sufficient sleep.
          • 19. Menopausal itching and skin care
          • Senile pruritus is mostly caused by decreased sebaceous gland function, dry skin, and degenerative changes. It often occurs after menopause, when women's ovarian function gradually declines. While men don't experience a pronounced menopause like women, they also experience decreased testicular function with age, marking the beginning of aging. This manifests in two main ways: firstly, the effects of decreased ovarian and testicular function and lower hormone levels; and secondly, symptoms of gradual aging of various bodily functions, or a combination of both. As the functions of various organs gradually decline, the skin, as a major organ, undoubtedly begins to age as well. During
            menopause, lower hormone levels and reduced sebum secretion lead to dry skin, especially noticeable in the dry autumn and winter climates of northern regions. The skin thins, loosens, and loses elasticity, causing itching. Initially, the itching is limited to one area (such as the calves) but gradually spreads to most of the body or even the whole body. The itching is intermittent, especially severe at night. Due to intense itching, scratching can lead to abrasions, scabs, and pigmentation on the skin, and sometimes secondary infections such as pustules, folliculitis, and boils. Patients may experience prolonged insomnia, dizziness, depression, and loss of appetite—symptoms of neurasthenia—significantly impacting their quality of life. Therefore, proper skin care is crucial during menopause to reduce or avoid these symptoms.
            Before skin problems appear, it's important to cultivate healthy lifestyle habits. Engage in moderate physical exercise to promote blood circulation and increase skin nutrition. Avoid excessively hot baths and reduce bathing frequency during dry seasons to minimize sebum loss and dryness. Use oil-based moisturizers to protect the skin, eat plenty of high-protein, low-fat foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and regularly consume whole grains, soy products, and supplements with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as various trace elements to maintain skin's luster and moisture. Adequate hydration and sufficient sleep also play vital roles in skin health. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to wind and sun, as well as repeated sunbathing, is detrimental to the skin health of the elderly and should be avoided as much as possible.
            If itching has already occurred, in addition to the precautions mentioned above, active treatment is necessary. Topical antipruritic agents and oral antihistamines can be used to relieve itching, and estrogen therapy may also be added. Depending on the condition, ovarian health products, traditional Chinese medicine, and physical therapies such as bath therapy can be used in conjunction. After the symptoms disappear, patients should still pay attention to skin nutrition, care, and health maintenance, maintain a positive attitude, and enjoy a healthy and happy old age.
            • 20. Women going through menopause should be wary of diabetes!
            • Ms. Zhang, a patient working in a provincial government agency, recently had her blood sugar and blood lipids significantly elevated. What could be the cause? Menopause is the transitional period from reproductive age to old age for women, a crucial physiological change in their lives. Internationally, menopause is generally considered to occur between the ages of 41 and 60, as ovarian function begins to decline after age 40, ovulation frequency decreases, and menstruation gradually ceases. During this period, changes in ovarian endocrine function cause a series of neuroendocrine dysfunctions, which can lead to various adverse psychological and physiological reactions. Normally, the estrogen and progesterone secreted by the ovaries stimulate the development of female reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics. Metabolically, estrogen also lowers blood lipids and stimulates bone formation; while progesterone increases insulin secretion, thus affecting the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. When ovarian function declines and estrogen and progesterone levels decrease, changes in glucose and lipid metabolism become more likely, which is the internal reason why menopausal women are prone to diabetes. Furthermore, women often achieve career success, experience improved economic conditions and a more affluent lifestyle during menopause, and with their children grown and household chores reduced, they may also gain weight, which is another external factor contributing to diabetes in menopausal women. Statistics show that after age 45, women have higher average blood sugar and cholesterol levels than men, and the prevalence of diabetes in menopausal women is also higher than in men.
              Prevention and treatment methods:
              a) Regular exercise: Promotes blood circulation and accelerates metabolism;
              b) Dietary regulation: Eat more legumes to obtain animal and plant proteins, and avoid sugar and plant fats;
              c) Internal regulation of endocrine function and promotion of blood circulation through health supplements;
              d) Maintaining a positive mood.
            • 21. List of fruits for women's menopausal health
            • Walnuts: Known as the "longevity fruit," walnuts are a nourishing fruit. Traditional Chinese medicine has long recorded their health benefits, believing they can "tonify the kidneys and strengthen essence, replenish qi and blood, promote blood circulation, warm the lungs and moisten the intestines, and strengthen teeth and blacken hair."
              Lychees: Beautiful in shape and color, delicate in texture and delicious in taste, lychees were praised by the ancients as a top-quality fruit, called the "divine fruit" or "Buddha fruit," and have always been a popular nourishing fruit. They have the effects of promoting body fluid production and replenishing qi.
              Longan: Anciently known as dragon eye, longan has been as famous as lychee. Its nutritional value far surpasses that of ordinary fruits, and it has been considered a top-quality nourishing fruit since ancient times, just like lychee. Li Shizhen, a physician of the Ming Dynasty, said, "Among foods, lychee is the most precious, but longan is the best for nourishment." Wang Shixiong, a famous physician of the Qing Dynasty, praised it as "a divine fruit, suitable for the old and weak." It has the effects of invigorating the spleen and stomach, replenishing deficiency and enhancing intelligence, and is effective for anemia, palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, and intestinal bleeding.
              Jujube: Since ancient times, it has been considered a top-grade fruit for health and wellness, with higher nutritional value than other fruits. It has special effects of tonifying the spleen and stomach, nourishing blood and calming the mind, and nourishing the body.
              Note: Three dietary taboos for women during menopause
              : 1. Avoid spicy foods such as chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, cloves, fennel, black pepper, mustard, pickled vegetables, onions, garlic, and cigarettes;
              2. Avoid fatty meats and high-fat, high-cholesterol foods such as egg yolks, fish roe, pig brain, and sheep brain;
              3. Avoid stimulating beverages such as cocoa, coffee, strong tea, and baijiu (Chinese liquor).
            • 22. A few tips that can effectively reduce dark circles under the eyes!
            • Many people have been troubled by dark circles under their eyes. No matter how much sleep they get, they always wake up the next day with annoying dark circles affecting their work and study. Today, I will introduce a few tips that can effectively reduce dark circles!
              Method 1
              Materials: Brown sugar, handkerchief or gauze
              Steps:
              (1) Put an appropriate amount of brown sugar in a pot and heat it over low heat.
              (2) When it starts to smoke, wrap the brown sugar in a handkerchief or gauze.
              (3) When your eyelids can adapt, slowly apply the hot compress to the area around your eyes in a clockwise direction.
              Method 2
              Materials:
              Cotton balls, ice water, cold whole milk
              Method:
              1. Mix ice water and cold whole milk in a 1:1 ratio.
              2. Soak cotton balls in the mixture.
              3. Then apply the soaked cotton balls to your eyes for about 15 minutes.
              Tip: Cotton balls can be replaced with cotton pads.
              Method 3
              Apply used tea bags directly to the area around your eyes for a while, and your dark circles will gradually disappear the next day!
              Method 4
              : Place two juicy apple slices on your closed eyes, lie down and rest for 15 minutes. Repeat several times, and your dark circles will disappear.
              Method 5
              : Soak cotton pads in ice water and apply them to your eye area for 15 minutes, replacing them when they warm up.
              Method 6
              : Use a concealer one shade lighter than your foundation to cover your dark circles temporarily. Remember to match it to your skin tone.
              Method 7
              : Massage: After washing your face in the morning, massage your eyes in a clockwise circular motion for about 5 minutes. This promotes blood circulation under the eyes, instantly turning dark circles into red circles.
              Method 8 :
              Potato Attack: Peel and slice a fresh potato, then apply the slices to your eyes for about 10 minutes.
              Method 9
              : Health Supplement Treatment: Take two "Jin Ci Yuan Yang Yan Tian Yun Capsules" every night to improve sleep quality and eliminate dark circles from the inside out.
              • 23. How should women in their forties take care of their skin?
              • By 40, even without sun damage, you'll find signs of aging on your face. "Your face is likely to be very dry, even with scaly skin," says Dr. Jane Lehman. Lip lines begin to appear on your lips, while red spots and bursting blood vessels continue to appear. This decade will also bring you many skin problems.
                Wrinkles and sagging skin: As collagen and elastin decrease significantly, fine lines turn into deep wrinkles, and you may also notice your skin starting to sag. Dr. Grunos recommends both internal and external treatments: topical collagen-rich skincare products and internal supplements to nourish the ovaries and regulate blood circulation.
                Sebaceous hyperplasia: These small, flesh-colored lumps usually appear in the T-zone of the face—the forehead, nose, and chin. Dr. Lehman believes, "It's caused by an overstimulation of oily substances, perhaps triggered by hormonal fluctuations." These lumps can be addressed by stimulating estrogen secretion, restoring the body's hormonal self-regulation.
                Skin abnormalities: These lizard-like skin abnormalities often appear on the neck, chest, and hands, and can also appear on other skin surfaces damaged by weather and sun. Dr. Gnoss says, "It manifests on the skin as wrinkles, sagging, and is accompanied by numerous burst blood vessels and small brown spots." To improve the appearance of this abnormal skin, you can use ovarian health supplements that nourish the ovaries, regulate endocrine function, and supplement estrogen.
              • 24. A woman's skin beauty and hormones!
              • Women in love are especially beautiful. This is because of the joy emanating from their faces and bodies, which in turn makes their skin beautiful. Conversely, if a woman is constantly anxious, tense, or stressed, acne and freckles will increase.
                This reveals the close relationship between skin and mental state. The reason lies in the fact that hormonal secretion and the balance of the autonomic nervous system change with mental state and are reflected on the skin. Understanding the relationship between psychology and skin, one should maintain mental balance to create beautiful skin.
                All hormones secreted in the body are related to the skin to varying degrees, with female hormones being particularly important. Female hormones promote blood circulation in capillaries, supplying nutrients to the skin, promoting the division and proliferation of epidermal cells, and storing subcutaneous fat.
                When a woman is in love, the secretion of female hormones is more rapid, so skin metabolism is also more vigorous, resulting in radiant skin. At the same time, subcutaneous fat increases, making the overall appearance fuller and more rounded. However, it's important to note that female hormones can suppress skin secretion, which explains why many women have dry skin. In such cases, it's essential to apply a little oil to the skin.
                Furthermore, psychological stress directly affects the adrenal cortex hormones. These hormones strengthen the body's resistance to psychological stress. If stress is not relieved over a long period, the secretion of adrenal cortex hormones will decline, leading to weakened skin resistance and increased susceptibility to rashes, freckles, acne, and in severe cases, facial pigmentation. Additionally, persistent anxiety can disrupt the autonomic nervous system and impair gastrointestinal function, resulting in insufficient nutrient supply to the skin and premature aging. Therefore
                , to eliminate psychological tension and stress, you must find ways to address these causes of stress and anxiety, creating a relaxed and pleasant living environment. Sometimes, adjusting estrogen levels can be beneficial. Pay attention to nutritional balance to preserve the vital energy of your internal organs. Go to bed before midnight and avoid staying up late. Take two "Jin Ciyuan Yangyan Tianyun Capsules" before bed and after waking up in the morning to restore the body's self-regulating ability of hormones, activate the secretion of estrogen from the ovaries, promote sufficient cell division, and enhance skin beauty. It can eliminate tension and fatigue, improve sleep quality, reduce abdominal fat and aid in weight loss, and better retain moisture around the eyes, nourishing the skin and eliminating eye bags. This is because estrogen can improve the blood supply to female organs and skin, delay osteoporosis, and restore skin elasticity and radiance. With a cheerful mood and a happy spirit every day, skin lesions will naturally disappear, and the whole body will glow.
              • 25. Menstrual irregularities are related to ovarian function.
              • Menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon for women. Most women experience no obvious symptoms during menstruation, while a few may experience breast tenderness, headaches, insomnia, palpitations, lower abdominal bloating, and mood swings. These symptoms generally do not affect work and do not require treatment; they will disappear naturally after menstruation.
                Experts advise that, under normal circumstances, a woman's menstrual flow and cycle are relatively constant. Abnormalities indicate an abnormality in the reproductive system, which may suggest problems with the body's endocrine system. Therefore, women should not ignore abnormal menstruation and should seek timely treatment.
                I. What should a normal menstrual cycle look like?
                The periodic vaginal bleeding that occurs in women is called menstruation. The normality of a woman's menstrual cycle can generally be judged from the following aspects:
                Menstrual cycle: The period from the first day of menstruation to the first day of the next menstruation is called a menstrual cycle. The vast majority of women have a cycle between 28 and 35 days, but some women have cycles as short as 20 days or as long as 45 days. Within this range, as long as menstruation is regular, it is considered normal.
                Menstrual period: The period of vaginal bleeding is called the menstrual period. For most women, the menstrual period lasts 3-5 days, but it can range from 1-2 days to 7-8 days, which is also considered normal.
                Menstrual flow: The normal menstrual flow is 20-120 ml, with most women experiencing 50 ml. The flow is heaviest on the second or third day of menstruation, gradually decreasing thereafter.
                II. Normal menstruation is a sign of normal development and function of the female internal reproductive organs.
                Characteristics of menstrual blood: Menstrual blood is characterized by its non-clotting nature and dark red color. In addition to blood, menstrual blood contains fragments of shed endometrium, cervical mucus, and vaginal epithelial cells.
                Menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon for women. Most women experience no obvious symptoms during their menstrual period, while a few may experience breast tenderness, headaches, insomnia, palpitations, lower abdominal pain, and mood swings. These symptoms generally do not affect work and do not require treatment; they will disappear naturally after menstruation ends.
                III. Three Situations Requiring Attention:
                **A Delayed Period:** If your period is delayed, besides pregnancy, it may indicate ovarian dysfunction or hormonal issues. For example, high or low prolactin levels, or high or low thyroid hormone levels, can inhibit ovulation. **
                Flow Amount Matters:** Too little flow may indicate insufficient ovarian function. Taking birth control pills, pelvic inflammatory disease, or a history of abortion or dilation and curettage (D&C) can all cause menstrual blood to be difficult to expel. Too much bleeding should raise suspicion of pelvic lesions. Besides the possibility of uterine fibroids or endometriosis, don't ignore the possibility of cervical cancer or endometrial cancer. **
                Sudden Bleeding:** Besides changes in cycle and flow, the most alarming thing is bleeding outside of menstruation. If the bleeding occurs in the middle of the cycle, is light, and ends in two or three days, it may be ovulation bleeding.
                However, if the bleeding is outside of menstruation and not after sexual intercourse, you should be more vigilant. Abnormal bleeding can be caused by various factors, including pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, cervical polyps, cervical erosion, cervical cancer, ovarian tumors, uterine tumors, and abnormal endometrial hyperplasia.
                Fourth, "observing complexion" to diagnose illness
                : Traditional Chinese medicine believes that women with a cold constitution tend to have lighter menstrual flow and darker, paler menstrual blood. Darkness indicates a cold constitution, while paler blood suggests blood and qi deficiency. Conversely, heavier, bright red menstrual blood indicates a hot constitution.
                The occasional presence of blood clots in menstrual blood is normal. However, if the clots are numerous and large (larger than a one-yuan coin), a medical examination is necessary to check for endometrial abnormalities.
                Vaginal discharge: If, outside of menstruation, vaginal discharge contains blood streaks or is slightly reddish, it's crucial to determine whether it's due to ovulation bleeding or sexual activity.
                If it's not ovulation bleeding but the discharge is bloody, immediate medical attention is required. If the vaginal discharge smells foul and turns yellow or even green, accompanied by vaginal itching, it is mostly due to a vaginal infection. For example, the most common fungal infection can cause the vaginal discharge to resemble cottage cheese.
                V. How to deal with menstrual abnormalities?
                The main problems caused by menstrual disorders are as follows, and treatment should start with solving these problems:
                (1) Bleeding and anemia: caused by long menstrual periods and heavy menstrual flow. In addition to general hemostasis measures, hormones or curettage can be used as appropriate.
                (2) Cycle disorders: single or combined estrogen and progesterone cycle therapy can be used. Traditional Chinese medicine and health products can also be used for treatment.
                (3) Infertility: dysfunction of one or more links in the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis causes anovulation, which is one of the pathophysiological bases of menstrual disorders and one of the causes of infertility. Some patients ovulate but have insufficient luteal function, which can also cause infertility. Patients need to choose the medication treatment cycle according to their own situation to improve ovarian function or replace part of the function of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, thereby inducing ovulation or enhancing corpus luteum function in order to achieve the goal of conception.
            • 26. How harmful are menstrual irregularities to women?
            • The main harms of menstrual irregularities include:
              1. Menstrual irregularities can cause headaches and palpitations in women, accompanied by dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, and fatigue.
              2. During menstruation, women experience significant blood loss, leading to blood and qi deficiency. If not treated promptly, this can develop into periodic or other more severe types of headaches. Epidemiological surveys show that menstrual-related headaches account for approximately 20% of headaches in women.
              3. Menstrual irregularities can cause pigmentation and acne. Many women mistakenly believe that cosmetics can solve this problem, as these pigmentation and acne are reflections of underlying medical conditions. If not treated early, they can affect not only appearance but also health.
              4. Menstrual irregularities can cause menstrual arthritis, rashes, toothaches, asthma, endometriosis, and cervicitis, severely impacting women's daily lives. If left untreated, menstrual irregularities can develop into periodic or other more serious conditions.
              5. Menstrual irregularities can cause infertility. The infertility rate in China is estimated at 6%-10%. Irregular menstruation in women is also a direct cause of infertility.
              Experts remind women that irregular menstruation is one of the main manifestations of declining ovarian function. If women experience symptoms such as menstrual pain, menstrual irregularities, palpitations, insomnia, or facial pigmentation, they should seek timely medical attention to prevent these symptoms from developing into conditions such as asthma, endometriosis, or cervicitis.
            • 27. The relationship between irregular menstruation and pigmentation/acne
            • The causes of menstrual irregularities are multifaceted, but the main ones include external pathogenic factors (six evils), internal emotional factors (seven emotions), and changes in diet, lifestyle, and environment.
              　　 The mechanisms are related to dysfunction of the liver, spleen, and kidneys, imbalances in qi, blood, yin, and yang, and also to the physiological characteristics of women, who tend to have less blood and more qi. The main cause of pigmentation is endocrine disorders, leading to pigment deposition in the skin. Acne is caused by excessive endocrine secretion, excessive sebum production, clogged pores, or bacterial infection.
              Menstrual irregularities causing pigmentation and acne are mainly due to the following reasons: 1. Liver qi stagnation: Worry and depression, liver dysfunction, and stagnation of liver qi, over time, can generate heat, damaging yin and blood, leading to disharmony of qi and blood in the face and causing illness.
              2. Spleen deficiency and dampness: Improper diet, overwork, and a preference for spicy and greasy foods can lead to spleen dysfunction, insufficient qi and blood production, and an inability to nourish the face, resulting in a dull, sallow complexion.
              3. Kidney qi deficiency. Excessive sexual activity can damage kidney essence, leading to kidney yin deficiency and upward flaring of deficient fire, resulting in malnourishment of the skin. Alternatively, insufficient kidney yang can cause yin energy to dissipate, manifesting on the face as a manifestation of the kidney's inherent color.
              Many women become extremely anxious about their appearance after developing age spots and acne. Instead of seeking treatment from experienced doctors, they go to beauty salons and stores to buy cosmetics. Some women believe that applying chemically synthesized cosmetics can solve the problem of age spots and acne. This idea is completely wrong. In fact, these age spots and acne cannot be solved by cosmetics, as they are reflections of underlying medical conditions, especially menstrual irregularities and external manifestations of certain diseases such as cancer and cirrhosis. If not treated early, they will not only affect appearance but also health.
            • 28. How to improve sex life during menopause?
            • Many people believe that sex becomes unimportant after menopause. This is not true. A harmonious sex life is beneficial to the health of menopausal women and can even make them radiant.
              Menopause typically occurs earlier in women than in men. After menopause, reduced vaginal secretion leads to vaginal dryness, causing discomfort or pain during intercourse. Therefore, a large proportion of older women experience a lower sexual desire than men, and at this stage, women often need more emotional support.
              Furthermore, women should not reject sex. Hormones that stimulate libido include not only estrogen but also testosterone secreted by the adrenal glands. Moderate sexual activity is beneficial to health and quality of life.
              From a medical perspective, menopausal women can consult a gynecologist to choose appropriate lubricants to alleviate discomfort during intercourse. However, to completely improve vaginal dryness, a more fundamental solution is needed. It is recommended to take nourishing and moisturizing supplements to regulate endocrine function, balance estrogen and progesterone levels, replenish the nutrients needed for vaginal lubrication, and tighten the vagina for a safer and healthier experience.
            • 29. Causes of vaginal dryness and vaginal laxity
            • Vaginal dryness can lead to decreased libido, painful and burning intercourse, and in severe cases, gynecological diseases and even marital discord. The main causes of vaginal dryness and laxity include:
              Insufficient sexual arousal: Even if a woman experiences sexual desire, if it doesn't reach the necessary level, or if her partner immediately initiates intercourse, it can result in insufficient vaginal lubrication, leading to vaginal dryness.
              Hormonal imbalance: Women over 35 who experience frequent menstrual irregularities may have hormonal imbalances, which can also reduce vaginal secretions.
              Vaginitis: If a woman has vaginitis, the vaginal mucosa will become congested during intercourse, leading to reduced secretions.
              Birth control pills: For some individuals, long-term regular use of birth control pills may cause vaginal dryness as a side effect due to the progesterone in the medication.
              Psychological stress: Work and life stress can cause low libido, delayed sexual arousal, and vaginal dryness.
              Over-cleaning: Many women believe that vaginal discharge is dirty and frequently perform deep vaginal douching. However, this over-cleaning prevents the vagina from retaining necessary secretions and beneficial bacteria, resulting in vaginal dryness. v. Unbalanced Diet: In addition to vaginal dryness, if a woman also experiences angular cheilitis, dry skin, and peeling, it indicates an unbalanced diet, especially a possible deficiency in vitamin B2. This condition can lead to vaginal wall dryness, mucosal congestion, and even ulceration.
              Once vaginal dryness sets in, even five minutes of intimacy can be unbearably painful. Enduring this pain for a long time brings more problems. The biggest problem is genital infection. Forced intercourse when the vagina is dry can cause vaginal congestion, even swelling, and damage to the vaginal wall mucosa, leading to infection and even triggering various diseases. Secondly, it can cause decreased libido. Long-term, recurring vaginal dryness can lead to psychological aversion to sex, and pleasure will disappear completely.
              Actually, there are many ways to solve the problem of vaginal dryness. Experts say that for women with insufficient sexual arousal, it is essential to communicate fully with their partners, encouraging them to make foreplay gentler, more patient, and appropriately extend the duration, providing ample caresses.
              Trying lubricants is also a good option. Surveys show that 67% of couples in the United States use such products. It has minimal irritation, allowing for relaxation and enjoyment of sex. Menopausal women may experience dryness due to decreased hormone levels after menopause; "Jin Ciyuan Yangyan Tianyun Capsules" can be taken to supplement estrogen.
              For women with inflammation, treating the vaginitis will naturally improve the dryness. If vaginal dryness is caused by an unbalanced diet, eating more whole grains and unhulled cereals can increase the elasticity and moisture content of the skin and mucous membranes. Women who are clean should simply wash their vulva with water and avoid frequent vaginal douching.
            • 30. Vaginal tightening surgery is not a panacea for aphrodisiacs!
            • Vaginal tightening will not benefit your sex life. G-spot sensitivity primarily comes from hormones controlling the smooth muscles of the body, which exist as blood vessels throughout the body. Please refer to the "Human Sexual Sensation Equation" for knowledge about human physiology.
              Vaginal laxity is normal with increased sexual activity. Vaginal tightening surgery is not recommended due to its high risks. Using natural, safe, and effective ovarian-nourishing and vaginal tightening products will yield better results. While vaginal tightening surgery offers quick results, it is dangerous. I recommend the effective and safe ovarian-nourishing and vaginal tightening product "Jin Ci Yuan Yang Yan Tian Yun Capsules," which tightens the vagina while also nourishing the ovaries.
              All surgeries carry certain risks, including vaginal tightening surgery. Technically, while external genital plastic surgery is common and relatively simple abroad, it is still in the exploratory stage in China. Furthermore, the vagina's unique physiological location—adjacent to the urethra above and the anus below—makes it highly susceptible to infection if sterilization is inadequate. Uncontrolled infection can lead to surgical failure or even death; therefore, infection is the primary contraindication for surgery.
              Vaginal tightening surgery is not a panacea. Men are like fire, women are like water; the brilliance produced when this fire and water collide makes married life intoxicating for both men and women: more tenderness, less friction; more warmth, less separation—sex is an important adhesive and bond between the sexes.
              In the minds of modern women, sex is no longer the hazy and secretive topic it once was. Most women no longer blush when talking about sex, nor do they suffer in silence over issues with the quality of their sex life. They pursue a harmonious and wonderful "sexually fulfilling life." To increase their sexual attractiveness, achieve self-satisfaction, and hold onto their husbands' hearts, they are willing to reshape themselves and risk undergoing surgery. Vaginal tightening surgery
              is merely a cosmetic procedure; it can only compensate for some physiological problems. If a woman lacks confidence in her sex life, then it's a psychological issue. Vaginal tightening surgery cannot meet the needs of such women. Furthermore, if the couple cannot respect and love each other, lack shared interests and hobbies, and cannot communicate well, then even the most successful surgery is useless. After all, the relationship between the sexes is very complex, involving many aspects such as physiology, aesthetics, and sociology. How can a mere minor surgery repair and save a marital relationship?
              Vaginal tightening surgery is like foot binding—it treats the symptoms but not the root cause, and may even cause physiological harm! To fundamentally solve the problems of vaginal laxity and dryness, it is necessary to regulate from the inside, restore ovarian function, and promote the secretion of vaginal fluid.
            • 31. Sites prone to fracture due to osteoporosis
            • Menopausal women are prone to bone fractures due to osteoporosis and the impact and load on their bones.
              Common fracture sites include the following:
              (1) Vertebral compression fracture: Due to the influence of the weight of the upper body, the thickness of the vertebral body gradually decreases and the intervertebral space narrows. When the body leans forward, the pressure on the anterior edge of the vertebral body increases, making it easy to cause a compression fracture. An acute vertebral compression fracture can occur when a large external force (such as a sudden jolt) is applied.
              (2) Hip fracture: This includes femoral neck fracture and femoral trochanteric fracture. Women are generally less likely to experience this before the age of 50, but after the age of 50, the incidence of fracture doubles every 5 years. Once this type of fracture occurs, bed rest is necessary, and other complications are more likely to occur.
              (3) Forearm fracture: The incidence of forearm fractures increases significantly after the age of 50, and is most pronounced when the age of 60 to 70.
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