TCM for Women: Sexual Health

Today I took my little one with me to attend the last in a mini series of talks on TCM for Women sponsored by PCOM NY. First off, my well-behaved, good little girl sat through the hour-long talk without a hitch. Overstimulation from what's ahead for her, perhaps? I wish I could have made it to all of them but they like to schedule these things during my classes. (smirk)
The conversation today was about Sexual Health, featuring panel speakers Mary Sabo from YinOva Center and Dr. Adriano Borgna, a PCOM-NY faculty professor. In as much as you can get out of a short one-hour conversation, the panelist were able to touch upon three questions posed by the student mediator. Below is my brief synopsis of the talk. Full video coverage of the conversation may also be found at TCMforwomen.tumblr.com.

So here's my take-away from what transpired. I am not quoting the panelists, this is just from my recollection...

1. Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), being derived from a male-dominant society, have an effect on women's health? How well does TCM support it?
Mary: As in all aspects of Chinese Medicine, there is a balance. Although this medicine was developed by men, the philosophies hold true for women's health. The relationship between man and woman is the perfect yin yang symbol.
Dr. Borgna: There are many holes in TCM for women because the medicine was developed by men. Such as there is absolutely no reason for a male gynecologist or female urinologist -- how can they possibly be experts on what does not belong to them? It is our job as practitioners and your job as an educated consumer, to fill those holes with other forms of medicine that best suit you.

- I agree with both points they make. Ultimately, TCM does wonders for women's health! I mean, that's how I got my little bundle of joy!


2. How important is the female orgasm to women's health?
Mary and Dr. Borgna: VERY IMPORTANT! If you haven't had one, go get one!

- Not only is does it promote good movement of Qi (much like a sneeze -- it shouldn't be held back), it optimizes fertility. Too bad my daughter won't know about any of this until she's 30. If its up to her dad, it'd be never. Haha.
Through her practice, Mary expressed how actually common she finds this problem to be among young women. WTF??! Ladies, if you're not orgasming, what the heck are you having sex for?? I hope it's not solely to please your man. Uh uh honey, I'm gonna have my cake and eat it too! I tell this to my husband who jokes that I took him out of circulation and that's why there are so many unfulfilled women out there. Haha, yes, he has a big...ego.
Mary also recommends masturbation as a way to learn about your body, teach your partner, and take control of your sex life. Masturbation is in tune with what Dr. Borgna had mentioned about male gynecologists and men not being experts on what's not their equipment.
Dr. Borgna suggested a book he felt all women should read, Woman: An Intimate Geography by Natalie Angier. He adds that after the man ejaculates, a woman's orgasm promotes conception with the contracting of the uterus, sucking up the sperm. So ladies, if infertility is a worry of yours, stop putting your sex life on a clock around your ovulation. Just create a relaxing and fun environment for you and your man during those ovulation days, and ORGASM! Cuz I don't care how many you do, a sneeze just isn't gonna satisfy.


3. The birth control pill - a good idea or not?
Mary: Fine in moderation. It is overly prescribed and taken without education on its side effects.
Dr. Borgna: It's a travesty for women's health, to be subjected to its experimentation and be taken advantage of without proper education of its side effects.

- In TCM lingo, birth control pills are very cold and stagnating which in turn leads to many pathologies. Qi stagnation and blood stasis are disease etiologies. Infertility and PCO or PCOS (PolyCystic Ovary / PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome) are growing issues we see in our PCOM clinic everyday! Dr. Borgna attributes the birth control pill to negatively impacting your thyroid. He suggests taking your temperature every morning for a few days in a row, and if your temperature is consistently below 98.7F then you sub-clinically have a hypothyroid.
Bottom line, always talk to your OB/GYN and get the best possible solution for you.


I look forward to learning more about women's health issues in my classes. Or I'll have to chase Dr. Borgna down the school hallway to pick his brain more. Mary also offered two great resources from author Jill Blakeway, director of YinOva Center: Making Babies and Sex Again. Both books are written for easy understanding for the layperson and those new to TCM.

Thank you to the PCOM-NY student council for organizing these talks. I look forward to more mini series talks on other topics in the future!