Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: My menstrual cycle has always been irregular since I was in junior high school, for over a decade now. Sometimes, it can be several months without a period. When I take Chinese medicine, it's regular this month, but when I stop, it becomes irregular again. For the past year and a half, it has been a 40-day cycle, but recently, it has extended to 50 days. I don't know if this is normal, and what should I do? I'm getting married next year—will it affect it? Thank you.Doctor's answer:
Hello: It should have no effect, and it can also be regulated by traditional Chinese medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine theory, this is called "delayed menstruation": Delayed menstruation refers to menstruation being delayed by more than 7 days or even 40-50 days, also known as "postponed menstruation." It is divided into: blood deficiency, blood cold, deficiency-cold, and qi stagnation.Blood Cold Syndrome: Clinical characteristics: Delayed menstruation, small amount, dark color with clots. General symptoms: Cold pain in the lower abdomen, pain relieved by warmth, aversion to cold, cold limbs, white tongue, and deep, tight pulse. Treatment method: Warm the meridians, dispel cold, and regulate menstruation. Prescription: Wenyi Decoction.
Deficiency-Cold Syndrome: Clinical characteristics: Delayed menstruation, small amount, pale red color, thin and watery, no clots. General symptoms: pain in the lower abdomen, preference for warmth and pressure, weak lower back, frequent clear urination, loose and watery stools, pale tongue with white coating, and deep, 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, small amount, no clots. General symptoms: Empty pain in the lower abdomen, dizziness, 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, small amount, dark red color, or with small clots. General symptoms: Distension in the lower abdomen, or distension and 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 hospital for diagnosis. Combining the four diagnostic methods (inspection, auscultation/olfaction, inquiry, and palpation) and prescribing the right medicine can lead to a cure. Wishing you a speedy recovery!