Patient's question:
Please note, the line breaks () are kept as they are in the original text. Here is the English translation of the rest of the content:"Could you please tell me that my menstrual cycle has always been delayed? Last month, my period started on the 17th and ended on the 23rd. On the 30th, I experienced several days of post-menstrual spotting similar to the last one or two days of my period. I haven't felt any discomfort. What kind of topical medication would be convenient to use?"
Doctor's answer:
Hello: It might not be possible to solve this externally. In traditional Chinese medicine theory, this is called "Menstruation Delayed":Menstruation Delayed refers to a delay of 7 days or more, or even 40-50 days or more. It is also known as "Delayed Menstruation." It is divided into: blood deficiency, blood cold, virtual cold, and qi stagnation.
Blood Cold Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Delayed menstruation, reduced volume, dark color with clots.
General symptoms: Cold pain in the lower abdomen, relief with warmth, aversion to cold, cold limbs, white tongue, and deep, tense pulse.
Treatment method: Warming the channels, dispelling cold, and regulating menstruation.
Prescription: Warming the Channels Decoction.
Virtual Cold Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Delayed menstruation, reduced volume, pale red color, thin and watery texture, no clots.
General symptoms: pain in the lower abdomen, preference for warmth and pressure, lower back soreness and weakness, clear and long urination, loose and watery stools, pale tongue with white coating, deep and slow or weak pulse.
Treatment method: Supporting yang, dispelling cold, and regulating menstruation.
Prescription: Ai Fu Nu Gong Wan.
Blood Deficiency Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Delayed menstruation, reduced volume, no clots.
General symptoms: Empty pain in the lower abdomen, dizziness and blurred vision, pale or sallow complexion, pale pink tongue with weak pulse.
Treatment method:.
Prescription: Da Bu Yuan Jiao.
Qi Stagnation Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Delayed menstruation, reduced volume, dark red color with small clots.
General symptoms: Bloating in the lower abdomen, or pain in the chest, abdomen, both sides of the waist, and breasts, normal tongue coating, wiry pulse.
Treatment method: Regulating qi and regulating menstruation.
Prescription: Wu Yao Tang.
However, traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment. It is best to consult a traditional Chinese medicine hospital for diagnosis. Combining the four diagnostic methods (inspection, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation) and prescribing the right medicine can lead to a cure. Wishing you a speedy recovery!