痛经
Alias经行腹痛
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
Tenderness during Menstruation, also known as "menstrual abdominal pain" in traditional Chinese medicine, refers to a gynecological disorder characterized by the occurrence of abdominal pain, primarily in the lower abdomen, during the premenstrual period, menstrual period, or both. According to the records in "Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine," menstrual pain is often caused by factors such as emotional disturbances, invasion of cold and dampness, and blood stasis, leading to blockage of the meridians and collaterals of the uterus, which in turn causes pain.
The pathogenesis of menstrual pain is centered around the blockage of the meridians and collaterals of the uterus, leading to pain due to blockage. Common precipitating factors in clinical practice include emotional disturbances, irregular diet, and improper lifestyle. During the differential diagnosis, attention should be paid to distinguishing between cold, heat, deficiency, and excess:
1. Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Syndrome: Abdominal distension and pain before or during menstruation, which is resistant to palpation, with irregular menstrual flow. Often accompanied by breast distension and chest stuffiness.
2. Cold and Blood Stasis Syndrome: Cold pain in the lower abdomen before or during menstruation, relieved by warmth, accompanied by aversion to cold, cold extremities, and pale complexion.
3. Damp-Heat and Blood Stasis Syndrome: Burning pain in the lower abdomen, dark red menstrual blood with thick consistency, yellow and thick leukorrhea, accompanied by bitter taste in the mouth and restlessness.
Overall Treatment Approach: In clinical practice, the treatment principle for menstrual pain in traditional Chinese medicine is to regulate Qi and blood and unblock the meridians and collaterals of the uterus. It is believed that treatment methods should be tailored to the specific syndrome, such as regulating Qi and activating blood, warming the meridians and dispelling cold, and clearing heat and removing dampness.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
气滞血瘀证
Main Manifestations：经前或经期小腹胀痛，拒按，经行不畅
Management Approach：理气活血，化瘀止痛
寒凝血瘀证
Main Manifestations：经前或经期小腹冷痛，得热痛减，畏寒肢冷
Management Approach：温经散寒，化瘀止痛
湿热瘀阻证
Main Manifestations：小腹疼痛灼热，经色暗红质稠，带下黄稠
Management Approach：清热除湿，化瘀止痛
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
In the treatment of patients with menstrual pain, it is essential to focus on the differentiation of cold, heat, deficiency, and excess, and to adopt individualized treatment approaches.
— 王正香 中医执业医师
Related Popular Articles
Guidance for Nearby Treatment
黎鸣社区、申新社区、万家花城等周边居民可就近到正规中医医疗机构就诊，具体地址、电话及营业时间请查看关于我们。
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.
参考文献：《中医内科学》（十三五规划教材）、《中医病证诊断疗效标准》(ZY/T001.1-94)、《中医病证分类与代码》(GB/T 15657-2021)