Patient's question:
Hello, my menstrual cycle interval is usually more than 30 days, sometimes delayed by 5 days, and sometimes even delayed by more than 10 days. What could be the reason for this? (I have sexual intercourse almost every month, but I always wear a condom)Doctor's answer:
Hello, this is known as "Menstruation Delayed" in traditional Chinese medicine theory:Menstruation Delayed refers to a delay of 7 days or more, or even 40-50 days or more, and is also called "Menstruation Occurring Later." It is divided into four types: blood deficiency, blood cold, deficiency-cold, and qi stagnation.
Blood Cold Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Delayed menstruation, reduced amount, dark color with clots.
General symptoms: Cold pain in the lower abdomen, pain with warmth, aversion to cold, cold limbs, white tongue, and deep, tense pulse.
Treatment method: Warm the channels, dispel cold, and regulate menstruation.
Prescription: Wenyi Decoction.
Deficiency-Cold Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Delayed menstruation, reduced amount, pale red color, thin and watery quality, no clots.
General symptoms: Mild pain in the lower abdomen, preference for warmth and pressure, lower back soreness and weakness, clear and copious urination, loose and watery stools, pale tongue with white coating, deep and slow or weak pulse.
Treatment method: Support yang, dispel cold, and regulate menstruation.
Prescription: Ai Fu Nu Gong Wan.
Blood Deficiency Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Delayed menstruation, reduced amount, no clots.
General symptoms: Empty pain in the lower abdomen, dizziness and blurred vision, pale or sallow complexion, pale red tongue with weak pulse.
Treatment method: Nourish blood and regulate menstruation.
Prescription: Da Bu Yuan Jiao.
Qi Stagnation Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Delayed menstruation, reduced amount, dark red color with small clots.
General symptoms: Distension in the lower abdomen, or pain in the chest, abdomen, both sides of the waist, and breasts, normal tongue coating, and wiry pulse.
Treatment method: Harmonize qi and regulate menstruation.
Prescription: Wu Yao Tang.
However, traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment. It is best to consult a traditional Chinese medicine physician for a diagnosis based on the four diagnostic methods (inspection, auscultation/olfaction, inquiry, and palpation). Only then can the correct treatment be administered for effective results. Wishing you a speedy recovery!