Menstrual Disorder
Young ladies start their first period between 14-18 years old. When menstruating, women should take note of the following:
- Regularity of menstrual cycle
- Duration of menstrual period
- Volume of menstrual flow
- Colour, texture, odour of menstrual flow
A normal menstruation cycle should be between 28-30 days and the normal menstruation period should last between 3-7 days.
Menstrual Disorders is an abnormal condition in a woman’s menstrual cycle. Irregular menstruation is generally related to disruptions in the balance of hormones. Delayed periods may be signals that ovulation has not occurred and, consequently, that the endometrial lining has grown thicker. Delayed periods usually involve heavier bleeding due to this increased thickness. Lighter periods or bleeding between periods may arise when hormone levels are not sufficient to nourish the endometrial lining
Some causes of menstrual disorders:
- Stress
- Poor diet
- Intense exercise
- Menopause
- Weight gain or Weight loss
- Pelvic infection
- Uterine polyps
- Uterine abnormalities
- Dysfunctional bleeding
TCM and Menstrual Disorders
In TCM, menstruation involves the following components: Qi, Blood, Kidney essence, Spleen and Liver functions, Ren and Chong meridians and the Womb. The proper function of the above will eventually result in the monthly occurrence of menstruation in a woman.
In TCM, the volume, colour and texture of the menstruation blood are important. A normal menstruation flow volume ranges between 50 – 80ml, while the normal colour should be dark red, without blood clots and without any odour.
TCM Treatment
TCM practitioner will never perform internal, vaginal examination under any circumstance.
The Primary method of collection diagnostic information is through asking clinical questions, palpating the radial pulse at the wrist and inspecting the tongue. No Chinese medicine question is ever without the purpose and questioning will help to establish the length of the menstrual cycle, how many days you bleed, the quality, quantity and the colour of the flow.
Others symptoms of clinical interest include how heavy or light the menstrual flow is, if there is clotting, fluid retention, and period pain during the period or if the period is preceded by premenstrual breast distension, stress or headaches.
Women might also become aware of symptoms that prior to TCM treatment they believed to be a ‘normal” part of their female cycle and were either unconcerned or unaware that effective treatment was available.
Many women are pleasntly surprised by how quickly menstrual symptoms can improve with the correct attention