Headache during menstrual period
AliasMenstrual headache
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
In traditional Chinese medicine, Menstrual Headache, also known as Menstrual Migraine, falls under the category of gynecological diseases. It refers to a condition where women experience headache as the primary symptom during the premenstrual period, menstrual period, or postmenstrual period. According to the "Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine," menstrual headache is often caused by liver qi stagnation, blood stasis obstructing the meridians, or liver-kidney yin deficiency with liver yang hyperactivity.
In clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine, the core pathogenesis of menstrual headache is often related to the liver, kidney, and blood. Common precipitating factors include emotional disturbances, irregular diet, excessive fatigue, etc. During diagnosis, attention should be paid to the following key points:
1. Liver fire syndrome: Headache during the menstrual period, more severe on both sides or at the vertex, often accompanied by irritability, easy anger, bitter taste in the mouth, and dry throat.
2. Blood stasis syndrome: Headache during the menstrual period feels like a needle, with a fixed pain point, dark menstrual blood with clots, and symptoms such as irregular menstruation and lower abdominal pain.
During diagnosis, it is also important to differentiate between cold and heat, as well as deficiency and excess, such as liver yang hyperactivity, which often manifests as dizziness, blurred vision, red face, and red eyes; and liver-kidney yin deficiency, which often presents with dizziness, tinnitus, and weakness in the lower back and knees. The overall direction of treatment suggests that for liver fire syndrome, it is advisable to clear heat, calm the liver, and stop the wind and pain; for blood stasis syndrome, it is recommended to activate blood circulation, resolve stasis, and relieve pain. In clinical practice, the treatment of menstrual headache often involves internal medication with traditional Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and other methods to harmonize Qi and blood, balance Yin and Yang, and alleviate symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that through reasonable adjustment, most patients can achieve effective relief.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
Liver Fire Syndrome
Main Manifestations: Menstrual headache, with the pain being more severe on both sides or at the vertex, irritability and easy to be angry
Management Approach: Clear Heat and Calm the Liver, Subdue Wind and Alleviate Pain
Blood Stasis Syndrome
Main Manifestations: Headache during menstruation like a needle, fixed pain point, dark menstrual blood with clots
Management Approach: Activate Blood and Dissipate Stasis, Unblock Channels and Alleviate Pain
The above syndrome information is based on traditional Chinese medicine textbooks and clinical standards. Specific differentiation should be completed by a practicing traditional Chinese medicine physician in person.
Physician's Clinical Insights
Patients with menstrual headache often suffer from liver qi stagnation, and the key to treatment lies in soothing the liver and resolving depression, as well as activating blood circulation and relieving pain.
— Tang Yulan Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (Apprentice)
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This page is for the popular science of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Specific diagnosis should be completed by a licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in person.
This article has been reviewed by licensed TCM physicians at Hangzhou Kezhentang TCM Clinic. It is for TCM popular science reference only and does not involve specific treatment plan recommendations.
References: Internal Medicine of TCM (13th Five-Year Plan Textbook), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Effectiveness Standards for TCM Diseases and Syndromes (ZY/T001.1-94), Classification and Codes of TCM Diseases and Syndromes (GB/T 15657-2021)