Pre Menstrual Breast Distension in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different pre menstrual breast distension patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Pre menstrual breast distension refers to the swelling and tenderness of the breasts experienced by many women in the days leading up to their menstrual period. This common symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can range from mild discomfort to significant pain, often accompanied by a feeling of fullness and heaviness in the breast tissue.
Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, particularly the increase in estrogen and progesterone, are believed to be the primary cause of this condition, affecting the breasts' ductal system and leading to fluid retention and swelling.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic perspective on pre menstrual breast distension, viewing it as a manifestation of underlying imbalances within the body's energy system, or Qi, and the flow of blood.
According to TCM, this condition is often the result of Qi Stagnation or the accumulation of Heat in the body, which disrupts the natural flow of energy and blood, leading to symptoms like breast distension. Identifying and correcting these imbalances through a combination of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and lifestyle adjustments is central to TCM's approach, aiming to restore harmony and relieve discomfort.
TCM Patterns for Pre Menstrual Breast Distension
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Premenstrual breast distension
Qi Stagnation
Premenstrual breast distension
Along with: General fullness, Moving pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Sighing
Liver Qi Stagnation
Premenstrual breast distension
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Irregular periods, Globus sensation, Pre menstrual breast distension, Pre menstrual tension, Anxiety, Anger, Melasma
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Premenstrual breast distension
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Globus sensation, Feeling of heat, Flushed face, Thirst, Anger, Pre menstrual tension, Irregular periods, Pre menstrual breast distension, Excessive menstruation
Heat
Causes: Premenstrual breast distension, Pre-menstrual breast distention
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Premenstrual breast distension
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Globus sensation, Feeling of heat, Flushed face, Thirst, Anger, Pre menstrual tension, Irregular periods, Pre menstrual breast distension, Excessive menstruation
Heat in the Blood
Pre-menstrual breast distention
Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation
Herbal Formulas for Pre Menstrual Breast Distension
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address pre menstrual breast distension
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Addresses these pre menstrual breast distension patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation
- Tonifies Spleen
- Clears Deficient Heat
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Pre Menstrual Breast Distension Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Premenstrual breast distension
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Pre-menstrual breast distention
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Addresses these pre menstrual breast distension patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi
Addresses These Pre Menstrual Breast Distension Pattern Variations
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it manifests:
Premenstrual breast distension
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression...
Xiao Yao San
Addresses these pre menstrual breast distension patterns:
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Addresses These Pre Menstrual Breast Distension Pattern Variations
Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Premenstrual breast distension
Accompanying symptoms:
General fullness, Moving pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Sighing
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Premenstrual breast distension
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Qing Jing San
Addresses these pre menstrual breast distension patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Blood-Heat
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Pre Menstrual Breast Distension Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Pre-menstrual breast distention
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Addresses these pre menstrual breast distension patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes Blood
Addresses These Pre Menstrual Breast Distension Pattern Variations
Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Premenstrual breast distension
Accompanying symptoms:
General fullness, Moving pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Sighing
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Premenstrual breast distension
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Addresses these pre menstrual breast distension patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
- Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
Addresses These Pre Menstrual Breast Distension Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Pre-menstrual breast distention
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Wu Yao Tang
Addresses these pre menstrual breast distension patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Moves Qi
- Stops pain
- Nourishes Liver Blood
- Eliminates Stagnation
Addresses These Pre Menstrual Breast Distension Pattern Variations
Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Premenstrual breast distension
Accompanying symptoms:
General fullness, Moving pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Sighing
Liang Di Tang
Addresses these pre menstrual breast distension patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Cools Blood
- Stop bleeding
Addresses These Pre Menstrual Breast Distension Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Pre-menstrual breast distention
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Yue Ju Wan
Addresses these pre menstrual breast distension patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness)
Addresses These Pre Menstrual Breast Distension Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Premenstrual breast distension
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Di Gu Pi Yin
Addresses these pre menstrual breast distension patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Pre Menstrual Breast Distension Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Pre-menstrual breast distention
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Yi Guan Jian
Addresses these pre menstrual breast distension patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Spreads the Liver Qi
Addresses These Pre Menstrual Breast Distension Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Premenstrual breast distension
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...