The Seven Year Cycles of Women’s Development: A TCM Theory
The Seven-Year Cycles: A Woman’s Lifelong Journey Through the Lens of Chinese Medicine and Modern Science
At Seven Points Wellness, our name and philosophy are rooted in a very important concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): the seven-year cycles of a woman’s life. First described in the classical text Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic), these cycles reflect key turning points in a woman’s physical, emotional, and spiritual development.
The Huang Di Nei Jing offers a cyclical understanding of a woman’s body through time. At Seven Points Wellness (SPW), we blend this timeless perspective with the best of modern medicine to meet you at every stage, whether you’re getting your first period, navigating fertility, or preparing for menopause. In this blog post we pair these ancient insights with modern medical understanding to look at how SPW can better support you in real, practical ways across these stages.
⸻
Age 7 (0-7) ✨
The Huang Di Nei Jing says, “At seven years, a girl’s Kidney energy becomes full, her baby teeth are replaced by permanent ones, and her hair grows longer.”
TCM View: This is the first stage of life where Kidney Qi begins to flourish. Growth and development occur based on the Jing (essence) inherited from your parents.
Western View: A child’s brain development evolves rapidly. Growth hormone and thyroid activity play key roles in development. Emotional safety and stability from parents, family and carers shapes wellbeing.
SPW Insight: This is an important time for nurturing and laying the foundations for future development both physically and emotionally. Good nutrition, attachment, rhythms of sleep and digestion are the groundwork for future resilience and hormone development.
⸻
Age 14 (8-14) ❤️
The Huang Di Nei Jing says “At fourteen, Tian Gui arrives, the Ren and Chong meridians flow, and menstruation begins.”
TCM View: The arrival of Tian Gui (heavenly water) signals the body’s readiness for reproduction. Menstruation begins and the energetic landscape shifts.
Western View: Puberty begins, hormones including oestrogen, LH, and FSH activate and menstruation occurs. These hormones can fluctuate leading to irregular menstrual cycles. Emotional changes are common.
SPW Insight: This is a critical time for early menstrual education. Understanding what’s happening to the body physically and emotionally, preparation for the first period and knowing who one can talk to for support around the body changes and menstruation can have a powerful impact on a young woman’s comfort and self-understanding. It is important at this stage to feel secure, develop a sense of self and establish boundaries.
SPW can educate and empower young women to understand how the menstrual cycle works, we provide age appropriate education on the menstrual cycle, what is happening with hormones at the various phases of the cycle and what signs and symptoms you might expect during these phases. This is discussed in relation to their own experiences with their cycle.
⸻
Age 21 (15-21) 🌸
The Huang Di Nei Jing says “At twenty-one, the Kidney energy is strong and healthy, the wisdom teeth come in, and the body has matured and her body grows to full height.”
TCM View: A woman is at full fertility and peak vitality. Jing (essence) is abundant.
Western View: The menstrual cycle becomes regular, and with monthly ovulation fertility is established. Brain maturation continues.
SPW Insight: This is the time when the menstrual cycle becomes more regular and may bring with it PMS, pain, heavy bleeding, acne or irregular cycles. It is the time women begin to seek support for these issues. It is a time for self discovery and confidence building as deeper romantic and platonic relationships form.
At SPW we can address menstrual cycles issues naturally with Chinese herbal medicines, supplements and acupuncture. The oral contraceptive pill (OCP) does not need to be the first stop to manage menstrual cycle issues.
⸻
Age 28 (22-28) 🌟
The Huang Di Nei Jing says “At twenty-eight, the bones and tendons are strong, the hair is long, and the body is at the height of strength.”
TCM View: A time of full strength, fertility and maturity. The physical body is at its peak.
Western View: Our reproductive years are in full flow a this time. At this point many women start their career pathway and begin thinking about their fertility and future families.
SPW Insight: This is an ideal time to optimise menstrual health, enhance fertility, and build emotional resilience through personalised treatment and supportive care. It is the perfect time to discover yourself.
SPW can help to optimise fertility by educating on the menstrual cycle and its phases, helping to identify if ovulation is occurring, regulating the menstrual cycle, reviewing vitamin deficiencies and diet and providing emotional support to ensure your body is ready for conception when the time is right.
⸻
Age 35 (29-35) 🌿
The Huang Di Nei Jing says “At thirty-five, the Yang Ming channels weaken, and the face begins to wither and hair starts to fall.”
TCM View: Signs of aging begin to appear. Qi and Blood may start to decline, and our reproductive strength begins to shift.
Western View: Egg quality and ovarian reserve begin to gradually decline. Women may face hormonal imbalances or thyroid concerns. It is during this time many women commence trying to conceive.
SPW Insight: This is often when fertility struggles arise, or energy levels drop.
During this period at SPW we will look to support the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney systems through acupuncture, diet, and Chinese herbal medicine at this time. This may be with a focus on fertility, or nervous system regulation.
⸻
Age 42 (36-42) 🌧️
The Huang Di Nei Jing says “At forty-two, the three Yang channels are exhausted, the face complexion wanes, and the hair begins to turn white”.
TCM View: The decline of Jing and Yang energy becomes more evident. Internal focus increases. Transition begins toward the menopausal phase.
Western View: Perimenopause begins for many women. Hormone fluctuations can cause menstrual cycles to become irregular, and/or symptoms like mood changes, brain fog, sleep disruption, headaches, itchy skin, low libido, anxiety, or weight changes.
SPW Insight: This is the time for preventative support. TCM can aid in perimenopause symptom management and works well alongside hormone replacement therapy. Many women are balancing work, personal relationships, child care and ageing parents during this period.
At SPW we see you and hear you and will support you through perimenopause. We will offer you an individualised plan to support your body which may include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine or massage.
⸻
Age 49 🩵
The Huang Di Nei Jing says “At forty-nine, the Ren and Chong meridians are depleted, Tian Gui has dried up, menstruation ceases and she can no longer conceive.”
TCM View: This refers to menopause, which in TCM is called the second Spring, it is not seen as an ending, but a transformation.
Western View: Menopause is defined as the day that it has been 12 months since your last period. After this one day you are considered to be in the post menopause stage of life. The average age of menopause in Australia is 51.
SPW Insight: This is a time when you might be able to give back to yourself after years of focusing on child rearing and juggling a work life balance. It is a good time to put yourself first and figure out your purpose and what makes you happy. You may change your work focus, travel to places you have always wanted to see, take up a new hobby or focus on your fitness and health. Whatever makes you fulfilled.
Menopause support at SPW focuses on restoring balance, nourishing Yin, and addressing emotional wellbeing. With the right care, this can be a deeply empowered stage of life.
At SPW we can work with you at any of these phases of life to ensure that your body is in balance and you are feeling your best. If you would like more information on how we can support you please contact us via phone or email available on our website.
Image attached to article is “Seven Flowers” a print by Jai Vasicek.
