Patient's question:
July 2012 Menstrual flow suddenly increased, accompanied by mild dysmenorrhea, Tongji Hospital, Wuhan City, Hubei ProvinceDoctor's answer:
Uterine fibroids can present with symptoms such as uterine bleeding, breast tenderness, a dull pain in the lower abdomen, pressure symptoms on adjacent organs, increased leukorrhea, infertility, a sensation of heaviness in the rectum, increased menstrual flow or prolonged bleeding, lower back pain, facial hyperpigmentation or melasma, dark circles under the eyes, sallow complexion, and emaciation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), uterine fibroids are classified as "zheng jian" (obstruction and accumulation). The most common clinical type is qi stagnation and blood stasis. The treatment principle focuses on promoting blood circulation to resolve stasis and softening and resolving masses, supplemented by strengthening the body's resistance and eliminating pathogens. If the fibroid is large, with a single fibroid size exceeding 5 cm, surgical treatment is recommended. For fibroids smaller than 5 cm and in individuals with fertility requirements, herbal medicine treatment is often more effective, with a typical course lasting 3 months. If the fibroid is small, measuring 1–2 cm, 2 courses of treatment may be sufficient to see results. Avoid spicy and irritating foods.