Patient's question:
How is primary dysmenorrhea treated?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, resistant to pressure, reduced menstrual volume, difficult menstruation, dark purple with clots, pain relief after clot expulsion, pain disappears after menstruation ends. Treatment should focus on regulating Qi, resolving stasis, and relieving pain. Formula: Modified Geshen Zhuyu Decoction.Cold congealing in the uterus syndrome:
- Yang deficiency and internal cold: Symptoms: Lower abdominal cold pain before or during menstruation, relieved by pressure, relieved by warmth, reduced menstrual volume, dark and dull color. Treatment should warm the meridians and warm the uterus to relieve pain. Formula: Wenyi Decoction with aconite, mugwort, and fennel.
- Cold dampness congelation: Symptoms: Lower abdominal cold pain before or during menstruation, pain relief with warmth, increased pain upon pressure, reduced menstrual volume, dark and dull with clots. Treatment should warm the meridians, dispel cold and dampness, resolve stasis, and relieve pain. Formula: Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction with atractylodes rhizome and poria.
Damp-heat lower jiao syndrome: Symptoms: Lower abdominal pain before menstruation, resistant to pressure, with a sense of heat, or abdominal pain worsening during menstruation, dark red menstrual color, thick and clotted. Treatment should clear heat, remove dampness, resolve stasis, and relieve pain. Formula: Qingre Tiaoxue Decoction with rhubarb, Polygonum aviculare, and coix seed.
Qi and blood deficiency syndrome: Symptoms: Lower abdominal pain after menstruation for one or two days, or during menstruation, empty sensation in lower abdomen and vulva, relieved by massage, reduced menstrual volume, pale and thin. Treatment should invigorate Qi, nourish blood, and relieve pain. Formula: Shengyu Decoction with rehmannia removed, plus white peony root, safflower, and croton.
Liver and kidney deficiency syndrome: Symptoms: Lower abdominal pain after menstruation for one or two days, dark and dull menstrual color, reduced volume, thin and watery. Treatment should nourish the kidneys and liver to relieve pain. Formula: Tiangan Decoction, modified.
However, Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment. It is best to consult a TCM department and combine the four diagnostic methods (inspection, auscultation/olfaction, inquiry, palpation) for accurate diagnosis and treatment to achieve the best results. Wishing you a speedy recovery!