Patient's question:
Hello, I would like to ask for some advice. I am 28 years old, and my menstrual cycle has always been regular. However, recently for the past four or five months, my menstrual flow has significantly decreased. Last month, because I had a cold and took some cold medicine, I also took an emergency contraceptive pill. As a result, this month I had only a small amount of spotting. Since we are planning to have a child, this situation is causing us great distress. I hope to get some clarification on this matter.Doctor's answer:
Hello, this is a condition of reduced menstrual flow in traditional Chinese medicine theory, which refers to: the menstrual cycle is generally normal, but the amount of blood flow is significantly reduced, or it becomes very minimal, or the period is shortened to less than two days with a small amount of blood flow. It can also be called "excessively small menstrual flow."It is divided into: blood deficiency syndrome, kidney deficiency syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, and phlegm-dampness syndrome.
Blood Deficiency Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Reduced menstrual flow, or very minimal, pale without clots. General symptoms: Dizziness and blurred vision, palpitations, a hollow sensation in the lower abdomen, pale pink tongue, and thin pulse. Treatment: Nourishing blood and regulating menstruation. Prescription: Zixue Decoction.
Kidney Deficiency Syndrome:
Menstrual flow is reduced, pale red or dark red, thin in texture. General symptoms: Lower back and knee weakness, heel pain, dizziness and tinnitus, cold lower abdomen, frequent nighttime urination, pale tongue, and deep weak pulse. Treatment: Nourishing the kidneys and blood, and regulating menstruation. Prescription: Guixin Pills.
Blood Stasis Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Reduced menstrual flow, dark purple-black, with blood clots. General symptoms: Painful and resistant lower abdominal distension, reduced menstrual pain after blood clots are expelled, purple-dark tongue with petechiae, and wiry or thready pulse. Treatment: Promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis to regulate menstruation. Prescription: Taohong Siwu Decoction (modified).
Phlegm-Dampness Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Reduced menstrual flow, pale red, viscous and greasy like phlegm. General symptoms: Obesity, stuffy chest, nausea, or excessive greasy discharge, pale tongue with greasy white coating, and slippery pulse. Treatment: Resolving phlegm, drying dampness, and regulating menstruation. Prescription: Cangfu Daotan Pills.
However, traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment. It is best to consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner for a comprehensive clinical diagnosis (the four diagnostic methods: inspection, auscultation/olfaction, inquiry, and palpation) to prescribe the correct medication for effective treatment. Wishing you a speedy recovery.