Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological problem in women, mainly manifested as lower abdominal pain during or before and after menstruation, which may be accompanied by waist soreness, low back pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the main cause of dysmenorrhea is the poor circulation of Qi and blood, which leads to “pain due to obstruction” or “pain due to dishonor”. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, besides painkillers, there are many ways to help relieve dysmenorrhea.
Understanding
of Dysmenorrhea in Traditional Chinese Medicine 1. Etiology and pathogenesis:
-Stagnation of qi and blood stasis: The circulation of qi and blood is blocked due to emotional disorder and invasion of pathogenic cold, resulting in blood stasis.
-Cold coagulation and blood stasis: The invasion of pathogenic cold causes blood stagnation, which leads to pain.
-Weakness of qi and blood: The body is weak or qi is impaired due to prolonged illness, resulting in deficiency of qi and blood, which leads to pain.
-Deficiency of liver and kidney: Deficiency of liver and kidney and deficiency of essence and blood lead to dystrophy of Chong and Ren Channels and uterus.
Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of
dysmenorrhea 1. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment:
-Promoting blood circulation by removing blood stasis: Commonly used drugs such as Semen Persicae, Flos Carthami, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and Rhizoma Chuanxiong are indicated for dysmenorrhea due to qi stagnation and blood stasis.
-Warming meridians and dispelling cold: Commonly used medicines such as dried ginger, cinnamon and fennel are suitable for dysmenorrhea due to cold coagulation and blood stasis.
-Invigorating qi and nourishing blood: Commonly used medicines such as Radix Astragali, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and Radix Rehmanniae Preparata are indicated for dysmenorrhea due to deficiency of qi and blood.
-Nourishing liver and kidney: Commonly used medicines such as Fructus Lycii, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, and Fructus Corni are indicated for dysmenorrhea due to liver and kidney deficiency.
2. Acupuncture treatment:
Acupuncture and moxibustion can dredge the channels and collaterals, harmonize qi and blood, and have a good effect on relieving dysmenorrhea. The commonly used acupoints are yuan, Qihai, Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, etc.
3. Cupping and scraping:
Cupping can dispel pathogenic cold and dredge channels and collaterals, and is suitable for dysmenorrhea due to cold coagulation and blood stasis.
Scraping can promote local blood circulation and relieve pain.
4. Dietary conditioning:
-Warm food: such as ginger, brown sugar, mutton, etc., helps to dispel cold and warm the uterus.
-Foods rich in iron and vitamins, such as lean meat, green leafy vegetables and nuts, help to enrich the blood.
-Avoid raw and cold foods, such as cold drinks and watermelons, to avoid aggravating dysmenorrhea.
5. Adjustment of living habits:
-Stay warm: Avoid getting cold, especially during menstruation.
-Moderate exercise, such as walking and yoga, is helpful to the circulation of Qi and blood.
-Emotional management: Keep your mood at ease and avoid excessive mood swings.
6. Other therapies:
-Moxibustion: Moxibustion on specific acupoints with moxa stick can warm meridians, dispel cold, promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis.
-Chinese patent medicines, such as Motherwort Ointment, Wuji Baifeng Pill, etc., can be used according to different syndromes.
Conclusion
The treatment of dysmenorrhea should not be limited to painkillers. Traditional Chinese medicine provides a variety of treatment methods, including traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, cupping, scraping, dietary conditioning and lifestyle adjustment. These methods start from the whole, adjust the internal balance of the body, not only alleviate symptoms, but also improve physical fitness and prevent the recurrence of dysmenorrhea. Of course, before using any treatment method, it is better to consult a professional doctor of traditional Chinese medicine for accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment plan.