Health promoting behaviors, perimenstrual symptoms, and Chinese herbal use among childbearing-age Chinese American women

The Chinese are deeply influenced by traditional Chinese culture. Chinese herbal use is a common practice to enhance reproductive health. "Good" menstrual health facilitates fertility and sets a positive stage for pregnancy during the childbearing years. Many Chinese Americans use traditional Chinese health practices, but they are less likely to disclose these practices. Although the upward trend of herbal use is more prevalent among women and ethnic minorities, little data are available about herbal use in these populations.;The overall aim of this dissertation was to examine the influences of health promoting behaviors and the perimenstrual symptom experience on Chinese herbal use among childbearing-age Chinese American women from the theoretical perspectives of Chinese culture, women's health, and health promotion. This cross-sectional, descriptive study included 103 Chinese American women, 21 to 40 years, responding to self-administered questionnaires. Follow-up data were collected prospectively on a subset of the women regarding their perimenstrual symptoms during menstruation.;Over 90% of women reported past use of Chinese herbs; 22% were current herbal users; and 70% had consumed Chinese herbs for relief of perimenstrual symptoms, with 55% to 95% of them experiencing relief. Current herbal users were significantly less acculturated. The primary reason for using Chinese herbs was enhanced sense of well-being. A majority of herbal users did not inform their Western health provider of their herbal use. Being less acculturated and engaging in nutrition-related health promoting behaviors were statistically significant determinants of Chinese herbal use.;Most women experienced minimal severity of perimenstrual symptoms. Abdominal bloating, fatigue, and breast soreness were the most prevalent and severe symptoms reported retrospectively and prospectively. Uterine cramps were more prevalent during the menstrual period only. Although there were no statistically significant perimenstrual symptom differences between herbal and non-herbal users, women who reported a higher severity of sleep disturbance and emotional related perimenstrual symptoms were more likely to use Chinese herbs.;Congruent with Chinese culture, which values health promotion, a majority of the women were relatively healthy and engaged routinely in health promoting behaviors. One such health promoting practice was the use of Chinese herbs for relief of perimenstrual symptoms.