By Miki Shima, o.m.d.

Q: My periods are irregular, but at 33, I’m too young to be entering perimenopause. Can Chinese medicine help me regulate my cycles so I can get pregnant?

A: The first thing you need to do is make sure you’re ovulating. Pick up one of the ovulation kits sold in drugstores—they’re fairly reliable. Try using one for three months, and if you can’t find any evidence of ovulation, ask your doctor to check your pituitary function with a simple blood test.

If the results are abnormal, the problem could be that your ovaries are not responding to your follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This can be indicative of ovarian failure and if it’s due to overexercising, poor nutrition, or past contraceptive use, acupuncture and herbs can be very effective in returning your body to a normal monthly cycle. However, if the condition is a symptom of early menopause, and thus genetically induced, it cannot be reversed.