Menstrual Irregularity

　　Menstrual disorders refer to the general term for menstrual diseases in women, which refers to pathological changes caused by changes in menstrual cycle, amount, color, and quality. Generally, this disease may lead to the following complications:

　　1. Dysmenorrhea

　　Refers to the occurrence of lower abdominal and lumbar pain during each menstrual period or before and after menstruation, which may be severe and difficult to bear. Clinical common dysmenorrhea includes Qi stagnation, blood stasis, cold and dampness, Qi and blood deficiency, and Spleen and Kidney deficiency dysmenorrhea, etc. Lower abdominal or lumbar pain, or pain that extends to the sacrum, may occur during the menstrual period and before and after it. It occurs with each menstrual cycle, and severe cases may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, cold sweat, cold extremities, and even fainting.

　　2. Premenstrual syndrome

　　Some patients with menstrual disorders may experience a series of symptoms related to spirit, behavior, and physique before menstruation, with symptoms starting 7-14 days before the period, gradually worsening, reaching a peak 2-3 days before menstruation, and disappearing after menstruation. Severe cases may last longer, with no organic changes detected during physical examination. Symptoms are diverse, varying in severity, and may be dominated by a single symptom or coexist with several symptoms. Common symptoms include nervousness, emotional instability, inattention, irritability, depression, insomnia, headache, and breast tenderness.

　　3. Polycystic ovary syndrome

　　Some patients with menstrual disorders may develop polycystic ovary syndrome, characterized by oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, infertility, hirsutism, and obesity, with the ovaries showing polycystic enlargement.

　　4. Redness of the skin on the face, neck, and chest

　　Some patients with menstrual disorders may experience a series of somatic and psychological symptoms caused by fluctuations or decreases in sex hormones before and after menopause, such as recurrent episodes of redness on the face, neck, and chest skin, accompanied by heat flushes, followed by sweating. Generally, it lasts for 1-3 minutes. Mild symptoms may occur several times a day, while severe symptoms may occur more than ten times or more, and are more likely to occur at night or in a state of stress.

　　Due to reasons such as high pressure of life, women are prone to menstrual disorders. Therefore, it is recommended that women seek medical attention in a timely manner if they experience the following symptoms, indicating that they have menstrual disorders.

　　1. Menstrual period ahead of schedule

　　Premature menstruation refers to the sudden shortening of the menstrual cycle, which is shorter than 21 days, and it occurs continuously for more than two cycles, but the amount of menstrual blood is normal. It belongs to the biphasic basal body temperature of ovulatory functional blood, with a short follicular phase of only 7-8 days, or a luteal phase shorter than 10 days, or a rise in body temperature of less than 0.5℃.

　　2. Delayed menstrual period

　　Regular menstrual periods, menstrual periods are delayed by more than 7 days, even 40-50 days, and appear continuously for two menstrual cycles or more, but the amount of menstrual blood is normal. In the case of ovulation, the basal body temperature is biphasic, but the follicular phase is long and the high temperature phase is low; in the case of no ovulation, the basal body temperature is monophasic.

　　3. Extended menstrual period

　　The menstrual cycle is normal, the amount of menstrual blood is normal, but the menstrual period is prolonged, the menstrual period exceeds 7 days, or even 2 weeks before it stops. Inflammation may cause lower abdominal pain, exacerbation during menstruation, and increased leucorrhea with a yellow or yellowish color, thick consistency, and smell. Incomplete regression of the corpus luteum is accompanied by increased menstrual blood volume; in the case of endometrial repair extension, there is still a small amount of persistent vaginal bleeding after the normal menstrual period.

　　4. Menstrual irregularity

　　Irregular menstrual periods, menstrual periods that are either early or delayed, cycles that are shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days.

　　5. Menstrual mid-cycle bleeding

　　Refers to bleeding that occurs between two regular and normal menstrual cycles, which is caused by a temporary drop in estrogen levels, causing the endometrium to lose hormone support and resulting in the shedding of the endometrium.

　　Menstrual irregularity is often caused by our negligence, therefore, it is recommended that during the menstrual period, to avoid menstrual irregularity, the following matters need to be paid attention to:

　　I. Keep the body warm, do not eat cold and raw foods (including cold salads, watermelons, coconut juice, and foods or cold drinks taken out of the refrigerator), do not eat sour and acetic foods, as well as cold foods such as crabs and snails, to avoid causing sudden cessation of menstruation or irregular bleeding, or exacerbation of pain.

　　II. Absolutely no hair washing, mainly because during the menstrual period, women's resistance is weak and they are prone to catching wind evil (common cold). With the invention of the hair dryer, as long as the hair is dried immediately after washing and waits until the hair is completely dry before going to bed, it is fine.

　　III. Avoid swimming and taking a bath in a bathtub, also avoid wading through water or getting caught in the rain, otherwise, it may cause cold dampness to remain and obstruct blood circulation. Avoid sexual activity.

　　IV. Do not lift heavy objects, as this may cause excessive menstrual bleeding or prolongation, but moderate and gentle exercise can relax muscles, promote blood circulation, prevent fluid retention, and can also stimulate the brain to secrete endorphins (which is a natural opium that makes one feel comfortable throughout the body).

　　V. Do not smoke, do not consume drinks containing alcohol or caffeine. Alcohol can worsen mood swings, headaches, and fatigue, and trigger the urge to eat sweets; caffeine can promote breast tenderness, anxiety, and irritability. Limit salt (to prevent fluid retention in the body), red meat (animal fat can increase the amount of estrogen, which may lead to premenstrual syndrome), reduce dairy intake (lactose can hinder the absorption of magnesium in the body), reduce any sugar (sweets can promote anxiety and emotional instability, cause fluid retention, and most importantly, make you gain weight), processed foods, fast food, and instant food.

　　The causes of menstrual irregularity are diverse, therefore, it is necessary to undergo the following examinations according to the situation:

　　1. Ultrasound examination

　　Reflects the condition of the uterus, ovaries, and pelvic area.

　　2. Cytological examination

　　Examination of detached cells to check the ovarian function and exclude cervical malignant lesions.

　　3. Biopsy of living tissue

　　Determine the nature of the lesion, often used for tumor diagnosis.

　　4. Endocrine measurement

　　Currently, it is possible to measure follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone secreted by the hypothalamus, ovary, thyroid, and adrenal cortex. Simple methods commonly used in clinical practice to understand ovarian function include vaginal smear, cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and endometrial biopsy.

　　5. X-ray examination

　　Uterine iodine oil contrast examination can understand the condition of the uterine cavity, whether there are submucosal fibroids or polyps. Sphenoid saddle position tomography can understand whether there are pituitary tumors.

　　6. Hysteroscopy or laparoscopy

　　Observe the lesions of the uterine cavity and pelvic organs.

　　7. Other

　　Consider liver, kidney function, and blood system examinations. Chromosome examination may be necessary if required.

　　Menstrual irregularity refers to the loss of normal regularity of menstruation, generally manifested as abnormal menstrual time and menstrual volume. It is recommended that patients with this condition can try the following food therapy recipes:

　　1. Black Fungus and Red Date Tea

　　Black fungus 30 grams, red dates 20 pieces. Boil black fungus and red dates together and drink the soup. Once a day, take continuously. It has the function of nourishing the middle, invigorating Qi, and nourishing blood to stop bleeding. It is used to treat excessive menstrual bleeding in the Qi deficiency type.

　　2. Strong Tea Brown Sugar Drink

　　Tea and brown sugar in appropriate amounts. Boil a bowl of strong tea, remove the residue, dissolve brown sugar, and drink. Once a day. It has the function of clearing heat and regulating menstruation. It is used to treat early menstrual periods with excessive bleeding.

　　3. Hawthorn Brown Sugar Drink

　　Dried hawthorn meat 50 grams, brown sugar 40 grams. Boil hawthorn water, remove the residue, add brown sugar, and drink while hot. For those who are not pregnant, take several times, and menstrual blood can also be induced. It has the function of activating blood and regulating menstruation, and is used to treat menstrual irregularity in women.

　　4. Fennel Wine

　　Fennel and green peel each 15 grams, yellow wine 250 grams. Wash fennel and green peel clean, soak in wine for 3 days, and it can be drunk. Take 15-30 grams each time, twice a day. If not tolerant to alcohol, vinegar can be used instead. It has the function of soothing the liver and regulating Qi. It is used to treat symptoms such as irregular menstrual periods, normal menstrual color, unsmooth menstrual flow without clots, breast and lower abdominal distension and pain.

　　5. Hawthorn and Safflower Wine

　　Hawthorn 30 grams, safflower 15 grams, white wine 250 grams. Soak the above herbs in wine for one week. Take 45-30 grams each time, twice a day, depending on the amount of wine, without getting drunk. It has the function of activating blood and removing blood stasis. It is used to treat scanty menstruation, purple and black clots, abdominal pain, pain reduced after blood clots are discharged. Pay attention to avoid cold and raw foods, and do not catch a cold.

　　Menstrual irregularity in women is one of the common gynecological diseases, often manifested as abnormal menstrual cycle or bleeding volume, also known as menstrual disorder. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of menstrual irregularity usually adopts the method of syndrome differentiation, first understand the cause of menstrual irregularity, and then use medicine according to the symptoms.

　　One, menstrual irregularity or excessive menstrual bleeding is often due to blood heat, disturbance of Chong and Ren by heat, or deficiency of Qi leading to insufficient control of blood, or kidney deficiency and instability of Chong and Ren. Those with blood heat should be further differentiated into excess heat and deficiency heat. Common patterns include:

　　1. Menstrual irregularity due to yang excess and blood heat

　　Evidence shows that the menstrual period is early, with excessive menstrual bleeding, bright red or purple color, accompanied by facial redness, irritability, easy anger, thirst, red tongue, yellow fur, and slippery and rapid pulse. Treatment should be to clear heat and cool blood, using formulas such as Qing Jing San and Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San.

　　2. Yin Deficiency and Blood Heat Type of Menstrual Irregularity

　　Symptoms include early menstruation, not much amount of menstruation, even reduced, bright red color, thick quality, accompanied by flushing of the face, heat in the palms and soles, night sweats, restlessness, insomnia, dry mouth, red tongue with little fur or no fur, fine and rapid pulse. Treatment should be to nourish Yin, clear heat and cool blood, using Liangdi Decoction, Qinghua Decoction, etc.

　　3. Kidney Deficiency and Not Consolidating Type of Menstrual Irregularity

　　Symptoms include early menstruation, more or less amount of menstruation, dark color, thin quality, accompanied by lumbar and sacral pain, weakness of the legs and feet, pale tongue, fine and weak pulse. Treatment should be to tonify the kidney and consolidate the Chong, using Turtle and Deer Tonify the Chong Decoction, etc.

　　4. Qi Deficiency and Not Controlling Blood Type of Menstrual Irregularity

　　Symptoms include early menstruation, more amount of menstruation, light color, thin quality, accompanied by palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, pale complexion, loss of appetite, pale tongue, thin fur, fine and weak pulse. Treatment should be to tonify Qi and control blood, using Gui Pi Decoction, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Decoction, etc.

　　Secondly, delayed menstruation or less menstruation is often caused by prolonged illness and blood loss, or consumption of essence and blood after childbirth; or spleen deficiency and insufficient nutrition of blood; or congenital deficiency, multiple childbirth and room labor, consumption of kidney essence, kidney deficiency and not enough Chong and Ren; or excessive intake of cold food or exposure to cold, blood congestion due to cold; depression, emotional discomfort, Qi stagnation and blood stasis, etc. Common clinical types include:

　　1. Blood Deficiency Type of Menstrual Irregularity

　　Symptoms include delayed menstruation, less amount and light color, thin quality, accompanied by dizziness, insomnia, palpitations, pale complexion, fatigue, pale tongue, weak pulse. Treatment should be to nourish blood and invigorate Qi, using Ginseng Nutritional Soup, Gui Shao Yi Gong Powder, etc.

　　2. Blood Cold Type of Menstrual Irregularity

　　Symptoms include delayed menstruation, less amount and dark color, with clots, or light color and thin quality, accompanied by cold pain in the lower abdomen, preference for warmth and pressure, alleviation with heat, or aversion to cold, cold limbs, clear urine, thin stool, pale tongue, thin white fur, deep and tight or deep and slow pulse. Treatment should be to warm the meridians, disperse cold and regulate the menstrual cycle, using Warming the Channels Decoction, Dazheng Decoction, etc.

　　3. Kidney Deficiency Type of Menstrual Irregularity

　　Symptoms include delayed menarche, delayed menstrual period, less amount, normal or dark color, thin quality, accompanied by lumbago and back pain, normal or pale tongue, deep pulse. Treatment should be to tonify the kidney and nourish blood, using Left Return Pill, etc.

　　4. Qi Stagnation Type of Menstrual Irregularity

　　Symptoms include delayed menstruation, less amount, dark color with clots, not smooth discharge, accompanied by abdominal distension and pain, breast distension and side pain, depression, normal or slightly dark tongue, wiry and涩脉。Treatment should be to promote Qi and activate blood, using Bupleurum Decoction to Soothe the Liver, Modified Wu Yao Decoction, etc.