Traditional Chinese Medicine Gynecology

Author: Zhang Yuzhen
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-09-01
Features: The book is divided into General Theory, Specific Topics, and Supplementary Topics. The General Theory systematically introduces the basic knowledge and fundamental theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) gynecology. The section on the history of academic development uses Comprehensive History of TCM as a reference, dividing it into ten historical periods to describe the historical process of the emergence, foundation, formation, and development of TCM gynecology. The basic knowledge supplements new theories and achievements in female physiology; clearly defines the meanings of cegong (uterus) and zongzi (womb); adds theories related to the kidney-tiangui-chongren-danrui-cegong reproductive axis, the regulatory mechanisms of the menstrual cycle, and new understandings of dai (leukorrhea) physiology and regulation; further enriches and develops the etiology and pathogenesis theories of TCM gynecology, making them more complete; and adds key diagnostic points for jings (menstruation), dai (leukorrhea), tai (pregnancy), and chan (childbirth), as well as the relationship between disease differentiation and syndrome differentiation. The treatment methods have also been significantly revised, divided into three major categories based on clinical practice: internal treatment, external treatment, and emergency gynecological treatment. Internal treatment emphasizes the concept of "regulation," focusing on regulating the viscera, adjusting qi and blood, regulating the tiangui-chongren-danrui axis, nurturing the cegong (uterus), and controlling the kidney-tiangui-chongren-danrui-cegong reproductive axis, making it the main line of internal treatment for gynecology. External treatment emphasizes local gynecological treatment, while emergency treatment highlights the TCM treatment for conditions such as xuebeng (hemorrhagic shock), jifu (acute abdominal pain), gaore (high fever), and juetu (syncope). This reflects the inheritance and development in physiology, pathogenesis, and treatment systems.
The Specific Topics are organized according to the traditional classification of jings (menstruation), dai (leukorrhea), tai (pregnancy), chan (childbirth), and miscellaneous diseases, primarily using standardized TCM gynecological disease names. It includes 64 sections covering 64 common and frequently occurring gynecological diseases. Based on clinical practice, diseases such as guitai (ghost pregnancy), zixuan (uterine prolapse), zixin (uterine deafness), linchanbing (premature labor), funüfuza (women's abdominal pain), yinzhui (vaginal gas emission), and yinzhong (vaginal swelling) have been removed, while new diseases with distinctive TCM treatments and promising prospects have been added, such as osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, pruritus during pregnancy, anemia during pregnancy, dai (leukorrhea) deficiency, postpartum depression, postpartum blood exhaustion, pelvic inflammatory disease, and common side effects of contraception. Additionally, diseases with better outcomes from TCM and integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatments in the past decade, such as functional uterine bleeding, polycystic ovary syndrome, and endometriosis, are appended to similar TCM diseases for reference, facilitating mutual learning and complementary advantages to find integration points. The definitions and classifications of each disease are aligned with the national standards and norms. A new format is introduced to highlight the book's strengths: historical notes on each disease are provided to summarize their origins, aiding in learning and inheritance; differential diagnosis, emergency treatment, and modern diagnostic and therapeutic technologies are enriched to improve clinical skills; prescriptions and medications emphasize practicality, selecting proven formulas and experience-based prescriptions from renowned modern TCM practitioners, with each formula the original disease it treats to reflect its development and application. The book also adheres to the principle of prevention, adding sections on prognosis, prevention, and adjustment to leverage the advantages of TCM gynecology in prevention and adjustment.
Another distinctive feature is the inclusion of a Clinical Reference section, which addresses important clinical questions, unresolved issues, research findings, and developments, as well as reminders for clinical attention. This combines theory with practice to broaden students' perspectives and enhance their clinical skills. The Supplementary Topics systematically introduce the basic knowledge and common diagnostic and examination techniques of Western gynecology for reference. At the end of the book, the national standard writing methods for TCM gynecological disease names are provided.