Patient's question:
Age: 23My period was on November 5th last month, but this time it didn't start until December 15th. Why do I say "didn't start until"? Two days before the 15th, there was a little bit—almost like the period was almost over. On the 15th, it finally started.
When my period came, along with the blood, there were two pieces of something that looked like tissue-like material.
Please ask the expert, what methods can be used to treat abdominal pain that occurs with my period?
Doctor's answer:
Hello, in traditional Chinese medicine theory, menstrual pain is divided into: Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. Symptoms: Lower abdominal pain before or during menstruation that is 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, pain relief with pressure, and relief with warmth, 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 with warmth, increased pain 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 that is resistant to pressure with a burning sensation, or increased abdominal pain during menstruation, dark red menstrual blood with a viscous consistency and clots. 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 empty sagging sensation in the lower abdomen and vulva, pain relief with pressure, 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, and with 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 consistency. Treatment should focus on tonifying the kidneys and nourishing the liver to relieve pain. Prescription: Tiangan Decoction with modifications.
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 (inspection, auscultation/olfaction, inquiry, and palpation) for accurate diagnosis and treatment to achieve the best results. Wishing you a speedy recovery!