Patient's question:
Is it better to take Yan Geng Dan or Duo Kang Jiaonang for my irregular menstruation?Doctor's answer:
Menstrual disorder, also known as menstrual irregularity, is a common gynecological condition. It is characterized by abnormalities in the menstrual cycle or bleeding volume, or by abdominal pain and systemic symptoms during the menstrual period or before it. The causes may be organic lesions or functional disorders. Many systemic diseases, such as blood disorders, hypertension, liver disease, endocrine disorders, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, reproductive tract infections, tumors (such as ovarian tumors and uterine fibroids), and others, can cause menstrual disorders.What are the symptoms of menstrual disorders? They are manifested by disturbances in the menstrual cycle or bleeding volume and include the following:
① Irregular uterine bleeding, including: excessive menstrual bleeding or prolonged duration. Common in conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometriosis; reduced menstrual bleeding with less volume and shorter duration; frequent menstruation with intervals of less than 25 days; prolonged menstrual cycles with intervals of more than 35 days; irregular bleeding, which can be caused by various factors or etiologies, leading to completely unpredictable bleeding patterns. These conditions can be caused by local factors or etiologies, endocrine factors or etiologies, or systemic diseases.
② Functional uterine bleeding. This refers to abnormal uterine bleeding caused by endocrine regulatory system disorders without obvious organic lesions in the internal or external reproductive organs. It is the most common type of menstrual disorder and is often seen in adolescents and women in menopause. It is divided into ovulatory and anovulatory types, with about 85% of cases being anovulatory functional uterine bleeding.
③ Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. This refers to bleeding occurring six months after the cessation of menstruation and is often caused by malignant tumors or inflammation.
④ Amenorrhea. This refers to the absence of menstruation from the beginning or the cessation of a previously established menstrual cycle for more than three cycles. The former is called primary amenorrhea, and the latter is secondary amenorrhea.
The following are some manifestations or complications of menstrual disorders:
① Dysmenorrhea. Severe lower abdominal pain during menstruation that affects work and daily life. It is divided into primary and secondary types.
② Premenstrual syndrome. Some women experience a series of abnormal symptoms before menstruation, such as nervous tension, emotional instability, difficulty concentrating, irritability, depression, insomnia, headaches, and breast tenderness. These are often caused by imbalances in sex hormone metabolism and psychological factors. Treatment primarily involves adequate rest, and, if necessary, tranquilizers and diuretics may be used. Antiestrogenic therapies such as progesterone, androgens, and bromocriptine may also be employed.
③ Polycystic ovary syndrome. The etiology is unclear. It is characterized by infrequent menstruation or amenorrhea, infertility, hirsutism, and obesity. The ovaries appear polycystic and can be treated with hormone therapy or surgery.
④ Menopausal syndrome. Some women experience a series of vegetative nervous system disorders before or after menopause, such as reduced sexual function, episodic sweating, and flushing. This typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 52 due to the decline in ovarian function.
What are the causes of menstrual disorders?
● For women around 30: Skin may show obvious signs of spots, relaxation, dullness, enlarged pores, roughness, and persistent acne.
● For women between 30 and 40: Endocrine disorders, such as menstrual irregularity, breast atrophy, senile spots, vaginal dryness, and reduced libido, may occur, indicating a significant decline in secondary sexual characteristics and the onset of menopausal symptoms.
● For women between 40 and 55: Symptoms of menopause, such as insomnia, frequent dreams, irritability, decreased energy and strength, memory loss, and osteoporosis, may appear.
● For women over 55: A significant decline in kidney function and ovarian atrophy occurs in middle-aged women, accompanied by symptoms such as sweating and flushed skin, typically between the ages of 45 and 52 due to the decline in ovarian function.
How to eliminate menstrual disorders?
Menstrual disorders in women are closely related to the kidneys and ovaries. Menstrual disorders have become a hot topic of concern in both society and the medical field. In recent years, this phenomenon has become more common, with many women experiencing facial spots, wrinkles, breast atrophy, and symptoms such as reduced vaginal lubrication, decreased libido, insomnia, irritability, flushing, and night sweats even before the age of 30. In 2002, under the attention of the government and society, the China Women's Menstrual Disorder Research Center was established in Beijing by dozens of senior researchers from the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The center is dedicated to studying the fundamental causes and the fastest and most effective treatments for menstrual disorders in women. Research has found that the kidneys and ovaries play a decisive role in menstrual disorders, with both being closely linked and indispensable. Relying solely on kidney tonification or ovarian nourishment cannot achieve the goal of anti-aging and beauty. Experts agree that the only true solution to menstrual disorders is to tonify the kidneys and nourish the ovaries simultaneously.
What are the external factors causing menstrual disorders?
Factor 1: Stress
Li Na, 25, has a busy work schedule and often finds that her menstrual cycle has become irregular—sometimes coming early, sometimes late, and with heavier bleeding. After ruling out organic lesions, the doctor confirms that her excessive stress has led to nervous tension and endocrine disorders, disrupting her menstrual pattern. Experts analyze that women of reproductive age under long-term stress may suppress the function of the pituitary gland, leading to the cessation of ovulation and menstrual disorders. Similarly, long-term emotional repression or irritability can also affect menstruation.
Tips:
1. To alleviate stress, engage in full-body exercises such as swimming or running, 1-2 times a week, for 30 minutes each session.
2. Consume stress-relieving foods like bananas, cabbage, potatoes, shrimp, chocolate, ham, corn, and tomatoes.
Factor 2: Overly Cold Temperatures
Xu Yan is a fashion-conscious girl who often wears thin clothing even in winter, belonging to the "prioritizing style over warmth" group. Like many urban girls, she also eats ice cream during cold weather. Her carefree attitude has disrupted her menstrual cycle, with periods occurring only once every one or two months, and with reduced bleeding. Experts analyze that exposure to cold during menstruation can cause pelvic blood vessels to constrict, leading to ovary dysfunction and reduced menstrual flow or even amenorrhea.
Tips:
1. Avoid exposure to cold and dampness during menstruation, such as rain, wading, swimming, or consuming cold drinks, especially protecting the lower body.
2. Add foods like scallions, beans, pumpkin, garlic, ginger, chestnuts, and oranges to your diet. Additionally, condiments like vinegar, sauce, vegetable oil, chili, pepper, and soups like beef or chicken broth can help.
Factor 3: Electromagnetic Waves
A Yun's life is surrounded by electrical appliances—beepers, mobile phones, PDAs, DVD players, electric wok, cordless phones, and vacuum cleaners. However, her "monthly friend" does not follow her commands and arrives irregularly, causing her great frustration. Experts analyze that the electromagnetic waves emitted by various household appliances and electronic devices can negatively affect women's endocrine and reproductive functions over time, leading to endocrine disorders and menstrual disorders.
Tips:
1. Take protective measures when using computers.
2. Use a hands-free headset for mobile phones for safer use. However, it is best to avoid prolonged use.
3. Use microwave ovens and refrigerators less frequently and avoid placing refrigerators in bedrooms. Use electrical appliances scientifically, avoiding simultaneous use of multiple devices for extended periods.
4. Consume foods rich in vitamins A, C, and protein, such as carrots, bean sprouts, tomatoes, lean meat, and animal livers, and drink green tea regularly to prevent and reduce the harm of electromagnetic pollution.
Factor 4: Constipation
Zhu Li works for a foreign company with a fast-paced job and often orders takeout or eats at nearby fast-food restaurants, consuming mostly staple foods and meat with little fruit or vegetables. Gradually, she developed constipation, and her regular menstrual cycle also began to disrupt. Zhu Li is puzzled: Could irregular menstruation be related to fast food? Experts analyze that constipation may lead to menstrual disorders. When the rectum is excessively full of feces, the cervix is pushed forward, and the uterus tilts backward. If this occurs repeatedly over a long period, the veins in the broad ligament may be compressed, leading to congestion and loss of elasticity in the uterine wall. If the uterus remains in a backward position for too long, it can cause lower back pain and menstrual disorders.
Tips:
1. Mix one tablespoon of sesame oil and honey, stir well, and take it twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, for 15 grams each time. This can moisturize the intestines and promote peristalsis.
2. Drink a bowl or two of hot vegetable soup on an empty stomach every morning. This is effective for constipation.
3. Duzhong tea is an excellent drink for constipation, helping to relieve constipation and reduce fat. Drinking lemon juice in the morning and evening or after meals can improve digestion, aid weight loss, and soften stools.
4. Walnuts, yogurt, and dried plums are good snacks for relieving constipation. Reducing coffee consumption and increasing banana intake can also promote bowel movements, but excessive consumption may backfire.
Factor 5: Overuse of Medications
Yingzi often gets colds and coughs and takes many medications, sometimes even receiving antibiotic injections from doctors. Initially, she recovered quickly, but later, stronger medications were needed. Meanwhile, she noticed that her menstrual cycle had become delayed. Experts analyze that overuse or frequent large doses of antibiotics can lead to menstrual disorders, lack of ovulation, or amenorrhea in women. This may be due to the suppression and damage to the body's own immunity, leading to dysfunction.
Tips:
1. A strong immune system can help resist minor illnesses.
2. Do not use antibiotics casually. Once you move to a stronger antibiotic, the weaker one will no longer be effective because bacteria have developed resistance. Therefore, consult a doctor before using medications, and be cautious when "upgrading."
Factor 6: Clubbing
Wang is a practitioner of urban fashionable life, frequently going to clubs with friends or colleagues after work. Prolonged exposure to loud music has affected her hearing, but more surprising is the change in her menstrual cycle, with irregular intervals. Experts analyze that noise can disrupt women's physiological functions, negatively affecting menstruation and fertility.
Tips:
Choose quieter places for gatherings to reduce exposure to noise. Shorten the time spent at clubs or host parties at home.
Factor 7: Smoking
Lu Lu often smokes cigars and cigarettes. After experiencing menstrual disorders for several months, she visited the hospital and was prescribed a prescription: quit smoking. She was shocked. Experts analyze that nicotine in tobacco reduces the secretion of sex hormones, disrupting the physiological processes related to menstruation and causing menstrual disorders. Women who smoke one pack of cigarettes per day are three times more likely to experience menstrual disorders than non-smokers.
Tips:
Change bad habits and quit smoking decisively.
Consume an appropriate amount of vitamin C to reduce the harm of smoking to the body. You can take vitamin C supplements or eat oranges, oranges, and kiwis.
What are the complications of menstrual disorders?
The causes of menstrual disorders are multifaceted, but the main ones include external factors such as the six evils of wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and summer heat, as well as internal factors like seven emotions (anger, joy, worry, pensiveness, grief, fear, and shock). The mechanism is related to the dysfunction of the liver, spleen, kidneys, and (Chong Ren) channels, as well as the imbalance of qi, blood, yin, and yang, which are linked to women's physiological characteristics of "less blood and more qi."
The causes of spots are mainly endocrine disorders, with pigment deposition in the skin. The causes of acne are endocrine hyperactivity, excessive sebum secretion, blocked pores, or bacterial infection. Menstrual disorders can lead to spots and acne, primarily caused by the following factors:
1. Liver qi stagnation. Excessive worry and depression can lead to liver dysfunction, qi stagnation, and prolonged stagnation turning into heat, which damages yin blood and disrupts the balance of qi and blood in the face, causing spots.
2. Spleen deficiency and dampness. Irregular diet, overexertion, or excessive consumption of spicy and greasy foods can lead to spleen dysfunction, insufficient qi and blood production, and inability to nourish the face, resulting in dull and dull spots.
3. Kidney qi deficiency. Excessive sexual activity can deplete kidney essence, leading to insufficient kidney yin and excessive fire, causing skin dryness or insufficient kidney yang and scattered yin, with the (basic color) of the kidneys appearing on the face.
Many women develop spots and acne on their faces and become anxious about their appearance. Instead of seeking treatment from experienced doctors, they visit beauty salons or shops to buy cosmetics. Some women believe that applying chemical preparations can solve the problem. This is a major misconception. These spots and acne are beyond the scope of cosmetics, as they reflect underlying body changes, especially menstrual disorders and some serious conditions like cancer or liver cirrhosis. If not treated promptly, they can not only affect beauty but also harm health.
What is the TCM explanation for menstrual disorders and their manifestations?
TCM generally refers to menstrual disorders as "" (menstrual disorder) and categorizes them as "" (early menstruation), "" (delayed menstruation), "" (excessive menstrual bleeding), or "" (reduced menstrual bleeding). However, clinically, these symptoms often coexist, such as excessive bleeding often occurring with early menstruation, and reduced bleeding with delayed menstruation.
"" or "" is often caused by blood heat, heat disturbing the Chong Ren channels, or qi deficiency unable to control blood. Among blood heat cases, it should be further classified as either excess heat or deficiency heat. Common patterns include:
① Yang (Menstrual disorder with excess heat and blood heat). Symptoms include early menstruation, excessive bleeding, bright red or purplish-red blood, facial redness, irritability, thirst, red tongue with yellow coating, and rapid, wiry pulse. Treatment involves clearing heat and cooling blood, using formulas like Qing Jing San (Clearing Jing Decoction) or Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San (Scutellaria and Gardenia Decoction for Relieving Liver Qi Stagnation).
② Yin (Menstrual disorder with deficiency heat and blood heat). Symptoms include early menstruation with reduced or even less bleeding, bright red, thick, facial flushing, hand and foot heat, night sweats, restlessness, insomnia, dry mouth, red tongue with little or no coating, and thready, rapid pulse. Treatment involves nourishing yin and clearing heat and blood, using formulas like Renai Tang (Lingzhi Decoction) or Qing Hua Yin (Decoction for Clearing Heat and Nourishing Yin).
③ Qi (Menstrual disorder with qi deficiency unable to control blood). Symptoms include early menstruation with excessive, pale, thin, watery blood, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, pale complexion, poor appetite, pale tongue with thin coating, and weak, thready pulse. Treatment involves replenishing qi and controlling blood, using formulas like Gui Pi Tang (Tonifying Spleen and Invigorating Qi Decoction) or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Strengthening the Middle Jiao and Invigorating Qi Decoction).
④ Kidney (Menstrual disorder with kidney deficiency unable to stabilize Chong Ren). Symptoms include early menstruation with variable bleeding volume, dull, thin, watery blood, lower back and leg pain, pale tongue, and weak, thready pulse. Treatment involves tonifying the kidneys and stabilizing Chong Ren, using formulas like Gui Lu Bu Chong Tang (Turtle and Deer Decoction for Strengthening Chong Ren).
"" or "" is often caused by prolonged illness leading to blood loss, postpartum blood consumption, spleen deficiency with insufficient nourishing blood, congenital deficiency with excessive sexual activity depleting kidney essence, kidney deficiency with insufficient Chong Ren nourishment, excessive consumption of cold foods or exposure to cold, causing blood to congeal due to cold; or emotional depression and qi stagnation. Common patterns include:
① Blood deficiency type menstrual disorder. Symptoms include delayed menstruation, reduced bleeding, pale, thin, watery blood, dizziness, insomnia, palpitations, pale complexion, fatigue, pale tongue, and weak, thready pulse. Treatment involves replenishing blood and qi, using formulas like Ren Shen Yang Yuan Tang (Ginseng Nourishing Decoction) or Gui Pao Yi Gong San (Modified Four Gentian Formula).
② Kidney deficiency type menstrual disorder. Symptoms include delayed menarche, prolonged periods, reduced bleeding, normal or dull blood, thin, watery blood, lower back and back pain, normal or slightly pale tongue, and deep pulse. Treatment involves tonifying the kidneys and nourishing blood, using formulas like Zuo Gui Wan (Left Kidney Decoction).
③ Blood cold type menstrual disorder. Symptoms include delayed menstruation, reduced bleeding with dark, clotted blood or pale, thin, watery blood, lower abdominal cold pain, preference for warmth, relief with warmth, cold limbs and extremities, clear, long urine, loose stools, pale tongue with thin white coating, and deep, tight or slow, weak pulse. Treatment involves warming the channels and dispelling cold, using formulas like Wen Jing Tang (Warming Jing Decoction) or Da Ying Jian (Major Decoction for Nourishing Qi and Blood).
④ Qi stagnation type menstrual disorder. Symptoms include delayed menstruation, reduced bleeding with dark, clotted blood, difficult to expel, lower abdominal pain, breast and hypochondriac pain, emotional depression, normal or slightly dark tongue, and wiry, (stagnant) pulse. Treatment involves regulating qi and activating blood, using formulas like Chai Hu Shu Gan San (Bupleurum Decoction for Relieving Liver Qi Stagnation) or Jia Wei Wu Yao Tang (Modified Euonymus Decoction).
How to treat menstrual disorders with food therapy?
Food therapy for menstrual disorders - Patients with menstrual disorders should pay attention to their diet. Here are some successful food therapy recipes for treating "amenorrhea":
1. Take 250 grams of dried eggplant slices, fry them until yellow, grind them into powder, and take 15 grams twice a day with yellow wine. Complete treatment can be achieved after taking it.
2. Use 90 grams of motherwort, 50 grams of brown sugar, and 30 grams of oranges. Decoct them in water and drink daily for several times.
3. Take 30 grams of coix seed root, wash it, cut it into segments, decoct it, and drink on an empty stomach in the morning and evening for more than ten doses for effectiveness.
4. Use 30 grams of turtle shell, one young pigeon, and a little rice wine. Remove the feathers and internal organs of the pigeon, crush the turtle shell, place it in the pigeon's cavity, add an appropriate amount of water and a little rice wine, and stew in a porcelain bowl over water until cooked. Season and eat. This formula is suitable for amenorrhea due to kidney and liver deficiency.
How should women supplement for menstrual regulation?
In fact, different types of medicinal diets should be chosen based on different constitutions. Here are some common food therapy formulas for menstrual disorders:
1. Black fungus jujube tea: 30 grams of black fungus and 20 jujubes, decoct them together in water and drink. Take once a day, continue drinking. Functions to tonify the spleen, nourish blood, and stop bleeding. Mainly treats excessive menstrual bleeding due to qi deficiency.
2. Strong tea with brown sugar: Take an appropriate amount of tea leaves and brown sugar. Decoct a bowl of strong tea, remove the dregs, dissolve the brown sugar, and drink. Take once a day. Functions to clear heat and regulate menstruation. Mainly treats excessive menstrual bleeding with early menstruation.
3. Hawthorn with brown sugar drink: 50 grams of raw hawthorn and 40 grams of brown sugar. Decoct the hawthorn, remove the dregs, add brown sugar, and drink while hot. Those who are not pregnant should drink it several times, and the menstrual blood may also flow naturally. Functions to activate blood and regulate menstruation. Mainly treats menstrual disorders with irregular cycles.
4. Fennel wine: 15 grams of fennel and green pepper, 250 grams of yellow wine. Wash the fennel and green pepper, soak them in wine for three days, then drink. Take 15-30 grams twice a day. Those who cannot tolerate alcohol can substitute vinegar. Functions to regulate qi and dispel stagnation. Mainly treats irregular menstrual cycles with normal color and no clots, with breast and lower abdominal pain.
5. Hawthorn and safflower wine: 30 grams of hawthorn and 15 grams of safflower, 250 grams of white wine. Soak the herbs in wine for one week, then drink 45-30 grams twice a day. Adjust the amount based on alcohol tolerance, not getting drunk. Functions to activate blood and remove stagnation. Mainly treats reduced menstrual bleeding with dark, clotted blood, abdominal pain, and reduced pain after clots are expelled. Note: Avoid cold foods and exposure to cold.
Diseases easily triggered by excessive or reduced menstrual bleeding
Experts explain that excessive or reduced menstrual bleeding is abnormal and is due to poor endocrine function. If the endometrium is excessively thick or if there are uterine fibroids, menstrual bleeding will be large. If reduced menstrual bleeding is caused by oral contraceptives, consult a doctor to determine if a change in contraception is necessary. How can you determine the amount of menstrual bleeding? Experts say that 30 milliliters of menstrual bleeding is considered excessive, 80 milliliters is excessive, and a normal amount is around 60 milliliters per cycle. However, it is difficult to measure it in daily life. Sanitary napkins can help. A normal cycle involves changing 4-5 pads a day, with no more than two packs per cycle. If three packs are used per cycle and each pad is soaked through, it is considered excessive bleeding；if one pack is not used up per cycle, it is considered reduced bleeding. If you belong to one of these categories, see a doctor promptly.
Irregular menstruation and bone loss
Previous research suggested that bone loss occurs in women after menopause. In fact, young women can also experience bone loss due to abnormal progesterone levels, which can lead to osteoporosis later in life. This finding was discovered by Canadian scientists around 1991. The study involved 66 women aged 21-42. After statistical analysis, researchers found that a short luteal phase or the absence of ovulation predicts bone loss. Researchers stated that this finding indicates that bone growth requires an appropriate balance between estrogen and progesterone. Women with irregular menstruation should consider taking synthetic progesterone to prevent bone loss in young women.
Normal menstrual cycle
A normal menstrual cycle is 20-36 days, varying from person to person. Generally, most women think a cycle of 28 days is normal, but in reality, there is a significant variation. According to clinical investigations, only about 10% of women have a cycle of 28 days every month. As long as the menstrual cycle interval is consistent, it is considered normal. Irregular early or delayed cycles may be abnormal and could be symptoms of a disease. It is necessary to accurately record each cycle, as relying on memory alone makes it difficult to make accurate judgments.
Food therapy for menstrual disorders
1. 20 jujubes, 10 grams of motherwort, 10 grams of brown sugar, decoct them in water and drink, once in the morning and evening. Suitable for delayed menstruation due to cold exposure, with reduced bleeding.
2. 2 eggs, 30 grams of motherwort, wash the eggs, decoct them with motherwort and water, remove the shells after the eggs are cooked, and decoct for another 20 minutes, eat the eggs and drink the soup. Suitable for reduced menstrual bleeding due to blood stagnation and delayed menstruation.
3. 30 grams of hawthorn flowers and an appropriate amount of brown sugar, decoct them, drink twice. Suitable for early menstruation with excessive, bright red bleeding.
4. 10 grams of angelica and 10 grams of ginger, 100 grams of lamb slices, decoct them with water, add salt after cooking, drink the soup and eat the meat. Suitable for delayed menstruation, reduced bleeding, and lower abdominal cold pain.
5. 200 grams of vinegar and 250 grams of tofu, cook them together, eat before meals, finishing in one meal. Suitable for short menstrual cycles with deep red blood and excessive bleeding in strong women.
6. 50 grams of raw hawthorn, 40 grams of brown sugar. Decoct the hawthorn, remove the dregs, add brown sugar, drink while hot. Suitable for delayed menstruation.
7. 50 grams of longan meat and 1 egg, decoct the longan for 30 minutes, then add the egg, decoct together until cooked, drink once in the morning and evening for 10 days. Suitable for menstrual disorders due to deficiency.
8. 2 rooster combs, a little salt, cook the rooster combs, dip in salt, drink once a day, 3-5 times a month. Suitable for menstrual disorders due to cold.
9. 500 grams of tilapia, 260 grams of yellow wine, cook the fish meat with yellow wine, eat the fish, bake the fish bones, grind them into powder, (dissolve) with yellow wine in the morning. Suitable for excessive menstrual bleeding that does not stop.
10. 2 pieces of old root, wash them, cook the water and drink. Suitable for prolonged menstrual bleeding that does not stop.
Menstrual disorders and headaches
Headache is a relatively common disease, with women experiencing it more often than men, which is related to women's unique physiological characteristics. Epidemiological surveys show that about 20% of women's headaches are related to menstruation. Women often experience headaches before or after menstruation, accompanied by dizziness, palpitations, poor sleep, fatigue, and exhaustion. This is called "menstrual headache" in traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine,,,.,.,,,,. Modern medical research has found that when the level of estrogen in the blood drops to a certain extent, it can trigger headaches, and estrogen levels fluctuate with the menstrual cycle.