DISCUSSION
A perimenopausal syndrome is a common female disease typified by
neurasthenia and neuropsychological symptoms, mainly caused by an
alteration in the hormone levels around menopause11.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, PPS falls into the category
of hysteria and perimenopausal disorder. The leading causes include
deficiency of kidney qi, stagnation of liver qi, internal disturbance of
seven emotions, and stress, injuring qi and blood. There are many
therapeutic approaches to handling PPS. According to research, standard
acupuncture and electro-acupuncture can relieve the symptoms of
menopause12. According to Zhuang medicine, ”heiq” (qi)
and ”lwed ” (blood) play an essential role in female growth and
development. When women are in perimenopause, it means the degeneration
of their physical quality and body function. The decline in ”heiq” (qi)
and ”lwed” (blood) will cause the disorder of qi and blood and finally
lead to PPS. As a traditional external therapy, ZMTM can regulate qi and
blood through acupoints to balance qi and blood, relieve symptoms,
improve body health, and finally show good therapeutic
efficacy9. Essential therapy tools include medicated
thread made from many Zhuang herbs, e.g., Santalum album, musk,
frankincense, and Argyreia acuta . It has a delicate smell and can
achieve good therapeutic effects13. Qizhousi
acupoints, Beiba acupoints, and other selected acupoints are
characteristic acupoints in Zhuang medicine, mainly treating various
gynecological diseases.
Perimenopausal syndrome correlates with changes in sex hormones.
Therefore, the difference in sex hormones should be given close
attention during treatment by the treating physicians. Furthermore, the
physicians should examine the levels of luteinizing hormone (L.H.),
stimulating follicle hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and other hormones
to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of PPS14.
This study indicates that rat estrogen levels decreased after
perimenopause model induction and improved after ZMTM treatment. This
effect of ZMTM was significant right from the 1st to the
6th cycle. However, its influence became notable from
the 3rd cycle and was most meaningful and useful
between the 5th and 6th cycles. E2 levels in the ZMTM
group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the
acupuncture group and model group, although slightly lower than the
standard group.