Painful menstruations according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
In Chinese Medicine, painful menstruations is sometimes associated with Blood Deficiency and Stagnation, a so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease" because both concepts arise from totally different ways of seeing the human body.
To understand whether someone's painful menstruations might be caused by the pattern Blood Deficiency and Stagnation, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from painful menstruations alone. Indeed if painful menstruations is caused by Blood Deficiency and Stagnation, patients also experience symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, lusterless complexion and nails and generalized muscle tension. Similarly, patients with Blood Deficiency and Stagnation typically exhibit choppy (Se), weak (Ruo) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Blood Deficiency and Stagnation so that you can have a better understanding of where painful menstruations might find its root according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below two formulas that can help treat Blood Deficiency and Stagnation.
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with painful menstruations
Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) is the key herb for Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, a formula used for Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Weak (Ruo), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Symptoms: Insomnia Dizziness Amenorrhea Palpitations Blurred vision Lower abdominal pain Irregular menstruation Generalized muscle tension Thin body lacking strength Lusterless complexion and nails
Painful menstruations might be due to Blood Deficiency and Stagnation if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, lusterless complexion and nails and generalized muscle tension. Similarly, patients with Blood Deficiency and Stagnation typically exhibit choppy (Se), weak (Ruo) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
The two herbal formulas that might help with painful menstruations
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Source date: 1291 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver. Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen. Stops pain.
Why might Tao Hong Si Wu Tang help with painful menstruations?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Blood Deficiency and Stagnation, a pattern sometimes associated with painful menstruations. If it looks like you might suffer from Blood Deficiency and Stagnation, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm. Stops pain. Promotes Qi movement.
Why might Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang help with painful menstruations?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with painful menstruations. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to painful menstruations
Dizziness Blurred vision Lusterless complexion and nails Generalized muscle tension Insomnia Palpitations Thin body lacking strength Irregular menstruation Amenorrhea Lower abdominal pain
