Menstrual irregularities

　　Menstrual irregularities are a common gynecological disease, manifested as abnormal menstrual cycle or blood volume, the causes may be organic lesions or dysfunction, which may be affected by many factors together. The main factors causing menstrual irregularities are as follows:
　　1. Disruption of neuroendocrine function: It is mainly the instability or defect of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis, that is, menstrual disorders.
　　2. Ovarian problems: Menstrual irregularities in women of childbearing age are generally due to poor luteal function of the ovaries, often manifested as having a cycle, but the cycle shortens, or there is more menstrual bleeding.

　　3. Organic lesions or drugs, including local inflammation of the reproductive organs, tumors, developmental abnormalities, malnutrition; intracranial diseases; other endocrine dysfunction such as thyroid, adrenal cortex dysfunction, diabetes, Sheehan's disease, etc.; liver diseases; blood diseases, etc.

　　4. Menstrual irregularities may occur in those who use drugs for treating mental illness, endocrine preparations, or use intrauterine devices for contraception. Certain professions, such as long-distance runners, are prone to amenorrhea.

　　5. The causes of menstrual irregularities after childbirth: The most common one is that breastfeeding inhibits ovulation of the ovaries, causing a delay in the recovery of postpartum menstruation. Generally speaking, menstrual irregularities after childbirth are a normal phenomenon, and the first few times of menstruation recovery may show irregularities, which will gradually return to normal later.

　　6. Psychological and emotional reasons: Women who often experience unstable emotions, are prone to anxiety, depression, or excessive mental stress, may unconsciously find that their menstrual regularity is abnormal, even leading to long-term amenorrhea.

　　In addition, certain abnormal vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is often mistakenly considered as irregular menstruation and needs to be checked and distinguished.

　　Gynecological experts remind that common complications of irregular menstruation include polycystic ovary syndrome, which is characterized by oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, and infertility.
　　Irregular menstruation can lead to dysmenorrhea in women, which is generally divided into primary and secondary types. Premenstrual syndrome is a common symptom of irregular menstruation, where some women may experience a series of abnormal symptoms before menstruation, such as tension, emotional instability, inattention, irritability, breast tenderness, and so on. These are often caused by disorders in sex hormone metabolism and psychological factors.
　　Headache is a common disease, and the incidence of female headaches is higher than that of males, which is related to the unique physiological characteristics of women. About 20% of female headaches are related to menstruation.
　　Irregular menstruation can also trigger other gynecological inflammation, such as menstrual arthritis, menstrual eczema, menstrual toothache, menstrual asthma, endometriosis, cervicitis, and so on.

　　The main symptoms of irregular menstruation are the disorder of menstrual cycle or blood loss, such as irregular uterine bleeding, including excessive menstrual blood flow or prolonged duration; functional uterine bleeding; postmenopausal vaginal bleeding, amenorrhea; excessive or insufficient menstrual blood volume. In addition, irregular menstruation can also cause dysmenorrhea, menstrual syndrome, and other complications.

　　There are usually the following types of symptoms:

　　1. Menstrual delay: Refers to the menstrual period starting 7 days later than usual, even every 40 to 50 days, also known as 'delayed menstruation'. This symptom is mainly caused by blood deficiency delaying the onset of menstruation. Symptoms may include delayed menstruation, light menstrual blood, empty pain in the lower abdomen, weakness, pale complexion, dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, lack of sleep, joint pain, dry skin, pale tongue with little fur, and thin, weak pulse.

　　2. Menstrual irregularity: Menstrual irregularity refers to the menstrual period coming 6 to 7 days earlier than usual, even twice a month, also known as 'advanced menstruation', which is often due to spleen Qi deficiency. Common symptoms include excessive menstrual blood, light red color, thin and watery menses, empty and sinking lower abdomen, Qi and blood deficiency, pale complexion, fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, pale tongue, and weak pulse.

　　3. Menstrual hypermenorrhea: Refers to excessive menstrual blood flow, which continues past the normal period, due to Qi deficiency causing irregular blood flow. Common symptoms include light red menstrual blood, thin and watery menses, empty and sinking lower abdomen, fatigue, pale complexion, palpitations, shortness of breath, lack of desire to speak, pale red tongue with thin white fur, and soft, weak pulse.

　　4. Menstrual hypomenorrhea: Refers to a small amount of menstrual blood, which stops within 1 to 2 days; or stops with just a few drops. Symptoms include light red menstrual blood, lackluster complexion, dry and rough skin, dizziness, palpitations, empty pain in the lower abdomen, cold hands and feet, pale tongue, and thin, weak pulse.

　　5. Amenorrhea: Long-term irregular menstruation may lead to amenorrhea, with symptoms such as pale or sallow complexion, fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, restlessness, lack of sleep, weakness in the limbs, pale tongue, and thin, weak pulse.

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　　How to prevent irregular menstruation

　　Attention to the following four aspects in daily life can help women effectively prevent irregular menstruation.

　　Key point one: It is strictly forbidden to wash hair during menstruation

　　It is strictly forbidden to wash hair during menstruation, mainly because women's resistance is weak during menstruation and they are prone to wind evil (cold). With the invention of the hair dryer, as long as the hair is dried immediately after washing, and then go to bed after the hair is completely dry.

　　Key point one: Keep warm during menstruation

　　Key point two: Keep warm during menstruation, do not eat cold foods (including cold salad, watermelon, coconut juice, and foods or cold drinks taken out of the refrigerator), do not eat vinegar, and avoid cold foods such as crabs and snails, in order to prevent sudden cessation of menstruation or persistent bleeding, and exacerbation of pain.

　　Key point three: Do not lift heavy objects during menstruation to avoid exerting force on the lower abdomen, which can cause excessive menstrual bleeding or prolongation. However, moderate and mild exercise can relax muscles, promote blood circulation, prevent water retention, and can also promote the secretion of endorphins in the brain (a natural opium that makes the whole body comfortable).

　　Key point four: Develop good living habits

　　What laboratory tests need to be done for irregular menstruation

　　Regular examinations for irregular menstruation include:

　　1, Blood routine: Check whether the coagulation function is normal, whether it is caused by other diseases in the body, such as some blood diseases can also cause irregular menstruation.

　　2, Endocrine hormone determination: Understand whether the secretion of estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones in the body is normal.

　　3, Gynecological pelvic ultrasound: Check for organic lesions in the uterus, ovaries, and other parts.

　　4, Cytopathology and histopathology: Check the function of the ovaries and exclude malignant lesions and tumors.

　　5, Gynecological external genital examination: Check for injuries in the reproductive tract, which can also cause abnormal bleeding.

　　6, Hysteroscopy or laparoscopy: Observe the lesions of the uterine cavity and pelvic organs.

　　Women with irregular menstruation should pay attention to many details in their daily life, and they should avoid eating cold and刺激性 foods in terms of diet, the specific precautions are as follows:

　　1, Spicy foods: such as cassia, Sichuan pepper, clove, and pepper. These foods are all seasonings, and in ordinary cooking, some chili can be added to the dish.

　　2, Cold and raw foods: such as pears, bananas, water chestnuts, stone ears, stone flowers, and earth ears, which are cold foods mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine. These foods mostly have the functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, nourishing yin and reducing fire. They are generally beneficial to the human body when eaten, but during the menstrual period, it is advisable to avoid eating or eat as little as possible to prevent symptoms such as dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation.

　　3. It is not recommended to eat too much salt: eating too much salt can increase the body's water content and water storage, and can cause symptoms such as headache, irritability, and anger before the start of menstruation. Low-salt foods should be eaten starting 10 days before the start of menstruation.

　　4. It is not recommended to drink strong tea: strong tea contains a high amount of caffeine, which can stimulate the nervous and cardiovascular systems, easily causing dysmenorrhea, delayed menstruation, and excessive menstrual bleeding. At the same time, the tannins in strong tea can hinder the absorption of iron, causing iron deficiency anemia.

　　5. It is not recommended to drink alcohol during menstruation because alcohol can stimulate blood vessel expansion, causing early menstruation and excessive menstrual bleeding.

　　6. It is not recommended to drink soda during menstruation because most of these drinks contain phosphates, which can react with iron in the body to make it difficult to absorb, leading to anemia.

　　Dietary Health

　　1. Black chicken and Chinese wolfberry soup is suitable for irregular menstrual periods: 50 grams of black bone chicken, 15 grams of Chinese wolfberry. After cleaning the black bone chicken, cook it and then add the Chinese wolfberry and boil for about 15 minutes. It can be eaten once a day.

　　2. Pepper eggs are suitable for cold and damp congealed dysmenorrhea: one fresh egg, 6 white peppercorns. Carefully crack a small hole in the egg, then put the white peppercorns into the egg, seal the small hole with flour skin, and steam for 20 minutes in a bowl of water. One egg can be eaten each day one week before the start of each menstrual period.

　　3. Chinese wolfberry, lotus seed, and yam porridge is suitable for early menstruation: 30 grams of Chinese wolfberry, lotus seed, and yam each. After cleaning the above three medicinal foods, put them in a pot with water and boil them. One to two times a day can be eaten one week before the start of each menstrual period.

　　4. Black fungus and red date soup is suitable for late menstruation: 50 grams of black fungus, 20 red dates, 50 grams of brown sugar. First, soak the black fungus in warm water until it swells, cut off the root and clean it, then cook it with the cleaned red dates until soft. Add brown sugar and boil for about 10 minutes. One to two times a day can be eaten one week before the start of each menstrual period.

　　For the treatment of menstrual irregularity, Western medicine generally uses hormone drugs such as estrogens and progestins. Medications such as妇科得生丸, dysmenorrhea tablets, progesterone, and妈富隆birth control pills can be taken, and对症 treatment should be taken according to the doctor's judgment before taking the medicine.