Dysmenorrhea
AliasMenstrual Pain
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
Stagnation and blood stasis
Main Manifestations: Abdominal distension and pain before or during menstruation, tender to the touch, unsmooth menstrual flow
Management Approach: Regulate Qi and Promote Blood Circulation, Resolve Stasis and Alleviate Pain
Cold and blood stasis syndrome
Main Manifestations: Cold pain in the lower abdomen before or during menstruation, pain decreases with warmth, aversion to cold and cold limbs
Management Approach: Warm the Channels and Disperse Cold, Resolve Stasis and Alleviate Pain
Damp-heat and blood stasis syndrome
Main Manifestations: Pain and burning sensation in the lower abdomen, dark red menstrual blood with thick consistency, yellow and thick vaginal discharge
Management Approach: Clear Heat and Drain Dampness, Resolve Stasis 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
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.
— Wang Zhengxiang Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
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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)