Patient's question:
Every time I have my period, it's delayed by 2 weeks. The amount is normal, with clots, and I have a slight pain in my lower abdomen. I also experience breast tenderness 2 weeks in advance. I want to ask if this is very abnormal?Doctor's answer:
Hello, this is known as "Menstruation Delayed" in traditional Chinese medicine theory:Menstruation Delayed refers to menstruation being delayed by more than 7 days, or even 40 or 50 days, and is also called "Menstruation Occurring Later." It is divided into: 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 relieved by warmth, aversion to cold, cold limbs, white tongue, and deep, tight pulse.
Treatment method: Warming the channels, dispelling cold, and regulating menstruation.
Prescription: Warming the Channels Decoction.
Deficiency-Cold Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Delayed menstruation, reduced amount, pale red color, thin and watery texture, no clots.
General symptoms: pain in the lower abdomen, preference for warmth and pressure, lower back soreness and weakness, clear and long urination, loose and watery stools, pale tongue with white coating, deep and slow or weak pulse.
Treatment method: Supporting yang, dispelling cold, and regulating 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 pink tongue with weak pulse.
Treatment method:.
Prescription: Da Bu Yuan Jiao.
Qi Stagnation Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Delayed menstruation, reduced amount, dark red color, or small clots.
General symptoms: Bloating in the lower abdomen, or pain in the chest, abdomen, both sides of the waist, and breasts, normal tongue coating, wiry pulse.
Treatment method: Regulating qi and regulating menstruation.
Prescription: Wu Yao Tang.
However, traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment. It is best to consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner for diagnosis. Combining the four diagnostic methods (inspection, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation) and prescribing the right medicine can effectively treat the condition. Wishing you a speedy recovery!