Patient's question:
I usually have my period for at least ten days before it cleans up. The first few days are extremely painful, and even the last day is very painful. After the period, there are light yellow discharges every day with a smell. What could be the reason for this?First follow-up question: Is there a simpler and more effective treatment method, such as through diet or exercise?
Doctor's answer:
Hello, in traditional Chinese medicine theory, dysmenorrhea is divided into: Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. Symptoms: Lower abdominal pain before or during menstruation, resistant to pressure, reduced menstrual volume, difficult menstruation, dark purple menstrual blood with clots, pain relief after clot expulsion, and pain disappearance after menstruation ends. Treatment should focus on regulating Qi, resolving stasis, and relieving pain. Prescription: Modified Geshen Zhuyu Decoction.Cold Congealing in the Uterus Syndrome:
- Yang deficiency and internal cold: Symptoms: Lower abdominal cold pain before or during menstruation, relieved by pressure, and pain relief when warm, reduced menstrual volume, and dark pale menstrual blood. Treatment should focus on warming the meridians and warming the uterus to relieve pain. Prescription: Wenyi Decoction with aconite, mugwort, and fennel.
- Cold and dampness congealing: Symptoms: Lower abdominal cold pain before or during menstruation, pain relief when warm but worsens with pressure, reduced menstrual volume, and dark pale menstrual blood with clots. Treatment should focus on warming the meridians, dispelling cold and dampness, resolving stasis, and relieving pain. Prescription: Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction with atractylodes rhizome and poria.
Damp-heat Lowering Syndrome: Symptoms: Lower abdominal pain before menstruation, resistant to pressure, with a burning sensation, or abdominal pain worsening during menstruation, dark red menstrual blood with clots and a viscous texture. Treatment should focus on clearing heat, resolving dampness, resolving stasis, and relieving pain. Prescription: Qingre Tiaoxue Decoction with polygonum multiflorum and patrinia.
Qi and Blood Deficiency Syndrome: Symptoms: Lower abdominal pain after menstruation for one or two days, or during menstruation, dull lower abdominal and vaginal prolapse, relieved by massage, reduced menstrual volume, pale and thin menstrual blood. Treatment should focus on replenishing Qi and blood to relieve pain. Prescription: Shengyu Decoction with rehmannia removed, plus white peony root, safflower, and croton.
Liver and Kidney Deficiency Syndrome: Symptoms: Lower abdominal pain after menstruation for one or two days, dark pale menstrual blood, reduced volume, and thin, watery texture. Treatment should focus on tonifying the kidneys and nourishing the liver to relieve pain. Prescription: Tiaogan Decoction, modified.
However, traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment. It is best to consult a traditional Chinese medicine department and combine the four diagnostic methods to prescribe the correct medicine for effective treatment. Wishing you a speedy recovery!