With the start of a new year, our TCM practitioner looked back on the patterns and questions most frequently seen at Xin Le TCM Centre in 2025. From menstrual health to facial acupuncture and postpartum care, these were some of the topics patients asked about most often.
We’ve put together four common questions she was asked repeatedly in 2025, along with her honest thoughts as a TCM practitioner.
FAQ #1: “My period only lasts 3 days and the flow is very little. Am I having early menopause?”
Many women believe that a “normal” period must last 5–7 days and require 4–5 full pads per day. But medically and clinically speaking, a normal menstrual period can last anywhere between 3–7 days, and the total blood loss can range from 30ml to 80ml.
One full day pad holds about 20–25ml, so even two full pads’ worth of blood across the whole cycle can still be normal. If your period has always been around 3 days with lighter flow, it doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. What matters most is change. If your period used to last 5–6 days and suddenly shortens to 3 days for several cycles, or the flow reduces significantly, it may be a sign that something is out of balance. In TCM, we don’t just look at numbers. We look at energy levels, stress, sleep, digestion, and overall circulation.
FAQ #2: “How does facial acupuncture work, and what benefits can I actually get?”
Facial acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles into specific facial meridians and acupoints. These needles create tiny, controlled micro-stimulations that activate the body’s self-healing response, increase qi and blood circulation to the face, and encourage collagen and elastin production naturally.
From a TCM perspective, the face is not separate from the body. By stimulating the meridians on the face, we also influence the internal organs connected to those pathways. This is why facial acupuncture is not just about appearance, many patients feel better overall after regular sessions. Common benefits include firmer and lifted skin, improved complexion, reduced dark circles and eye puffiness, softer fine lines and wrinkles, lightening of scars, improvement in acne and dry skin, better sleep, and improved overall well-being.
FAQ #3: “Is it true I can’t drink plain water during confinement? Must I only drink red dates or ginger tea?”
Keeping yourself hydrated is a must, especially for breastfeeding mothers. As a general guideline, you should drink at least one glass of water after every breastfeeding session. Red dates and ginger are fine because they help replenish blood, improve circulation, and keep the body warm. However, TCM is never one-size-fits-all. If a mother experiences symptoms such as night sweating, dry mouth, or constipation, these may indicate Yin deficiency. In such cases, excessive ginger and red dates may actually worsen the imbalance. This is why personalised confinement care matters.
FAQ #4: “Why am I feeling heaty or even getting a sore throat after taking red dates or Ba Zhen soup? Isn’t it supposed to help regulate my period?”
Ba Zhen soup and red dates are often recommended to support women’s health after menstruation because they help replenish blood and relieve discomfort caused by cold or blood deficiency. However, not every period problem is due to a cold uterus. For some people, issues may be caused by internal heat, Yin deficiency, or other imbalances.
Taking herbs or formulas that work for others without considering your own constitution can sometimes make things worse, leading to symptoms like dry mouth, sore throat, or heaty feelings. In TCM, herbs like Ophiopogon (Mai Dong) or Glehnia Root (Sha Shen) can be added to balance the warming effect of tonifying formulas, but the right combination and dosage should be tailored for your unique body.
Again, Traditional Chinese Medicine is never one-size-fits-all. Always consult with a TCM practitioner before taking herbs to make sure they suit your body’s needs.
These FAQs are just a glimpse of the questions we saw most often in 2025. If any of these sound familiar, consulting a TCM practitioner can provide clarity and guidance. In our next post, we’ll be sharing real-life cases from Xin Le TCM, stay tuned if you’d like to see how these approaches can make a real difference.