Patient's question:
Once or twice a year menstruation, for 5 years, irregular, very heavy volume, without treatment, what kind of problem would this be? Is it better to treat with Traditional Chinese Medicine or Western Medicine?Doctor's answer:
Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment is effective. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, amenorrhea is referred to as "jīngbì" (menstrual closure). It is often caused by congenital deficiency, chronic illness, multiple childbirths or overexertion during labor, insufficient kidney qi, and a deficiency of essence and blood.① Kidney deficiency and essence deficiency type of amenorrhea: Menstruation starts relatively late, with a small amount of flow, pale red color, gradually leading to amenorrhea. Treatment involves tonifying the kidneys and replenishing essence. Formulas such as Guizhen Wan (Kidney-Tonifying Pills) and Zuolui Wan (Left-Guizhen Pills) are used.
② Qi and blood deficiency type of amenorrhea: Menstruation is delayed, with a small amount of flow and pale color, gradually leading to amenorrhea. Symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, lackluster complexion, poor memory, neurasthenia, shortness of breath, reluctance to speak, dull hair and skin, pale tongue, and weak, feeble pulse. Treatment involves tonifying qi and blood. Formulas such as Ren Shen Yang Ying Tang (Ginseng Nourishing Decoction) and Gui Pi Tang (Spleen-Tonifying Decoction) are used.
③ Qi stagnation and blood stasis type of amenorrhea: Menstruation occurs irregularly, gradually or suddenly leading to amenorrhea. Treatment involves regulating qi, promoting blood circulation, and removing stasis. Formulas such as Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Blood Mansion Removing Stasis Decoction) and Xiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Wanderer Pills) are used.
④ Phlegm-dampness stagnation type of amenorrhea: Treatment involves eliminating phlegm and drying dampness. Formulas such as Cang Zhu Dao Tan Tang (Atractylodes and Pinellia Removing Phlegm Decoction) and Xiang Sha Liu Jun Tang (Sandalwood Six Decoction) are used.