This year has already reminded me how powerful women are when we’re seen, supported, and taken seriously in business, in leadership, and in everyday life. I’m constantly inspired by how many women are building, creating, and taking up space in ways that feel bold and unapologetic.
I’m proud to be a woman. And I truly believe that if we want to create change in the world and move it forward, we need to understand our bodies better and take some of our healthcare back into our own hands.
The more we know about how our bodies work, what foods we need, and how our hormones and energy flow, the better we can advocate for ourselves and make empowered choices.
This is one of the many reasons why I love Chinese Medicine. It has such a natural, holistic, and poetic way of describing our bodies and the health cycles we move through across our lives.
For example, our periods in Chinese Medicine are referred to as Tian Gui, which translates to “Heavenly Water.” How amazing is that?
Below is a breakdown of how Chinese Medicine views women’s health through time cycles.
Quick disclaimer: this information is based on classical texts written over 2,500 years ago. The world, health technology, and society have changed a lot since then. But as you read along, you’ll probably notice how much of the physiology still feels surprisingly true.
A Woman’s 7-Year Cycles, In Traditional Chinese Medicine
First, we have to look at what governs the growth and development of the female body.
In Chinese Medicine, it’s the Kidneys.
Sounds weird, right?
In Chinese Medicine, the Kidneys aren’t only two bean-shaped organs in your low back that filter blood. They represent something much bigger: our foundational energy.
The Kidneys govern growth and development, menstrual blood, reproduction, the hair on your head, teeth, bones, and the aging process.
First Cycle - Age 7
Up to age 7 is when Kidney energy begins to grow strong. Curiosity for the world starts to expand, and a child has an urgency to explore life. Qi (energy) should be abundant here to create a solid foundation.
Second Cycle - Age 14
This is generally the time where physical growth is accelerating and a girl’s period begins, also known as the age of menarche.
The age of what now? I know… it sounds like it should be in The Hunger Games or something, but we’re just talking about puberty.
This is the age a girl becomes a woman.
Third Cycle - Age 21
This is when a woman reaches full physical maturity and is traditionally considered to be in a strong stage for reproduction.
Fourth Cycle - Age 28
This is considered a fertility peak, when energy and blood are often at their strongest.
Apparently a big focus from ages 21 to 28 is baby-making time!
Fifth Cycle - Age 35
According to classical Chinese Medicine texts, this is when early signs of aging may begin.
I know. It sounds harsh...and very dramatic. But this is often the stage where subtle shifts in energy, recovery, skin, and fatigue can start to show up.
Sixth Cycle - Age 42
At this age, the chance to conceive decreases significantly as blood, Qi, and metabolism begin to slow down. This is also when we often start to see early symptoms of what Western medicine refers to as perimenopause.
Seventh Cycle - Age 49
This is when the period ceases, reproductive blood changes, and pregnancy is no longer possible.
In the West, this phase is often feared or viewed negatively. But in Chinese Medicine, it can be seen as a time of spiritual and emotional renewal.
They even call it the “Second Spring,” meaning this is your second round of life. A chance to begin again, for you. I think it’s quite beautiful.
At the end of the day, I don’t share this framework to put women into boxes or timelines. I share it because it gives us language for what so many of us feel. Chinese Medicine reminds us that our bodies are cyclical, intelligent, and constantly evolving. We simply move through stages, and none are bad, they’re just different. And when we understand those rhythms, we can support ourselves with more compassion, clarity, and confidence through every stage.
