Why do women feel tired and weak before menstruation?
Based on clinical observations, the appearance of excessive sleepiness during menstruation is related to a woman's physical constitution. Women who are usually overweight, bloated, or anemic, or those who have loose stools, may feel tired and weak before their period, and may only want to sleep, or even feel drowsy and confused.
Symptoms: Excessive sleepiness during menstruation, caused by spleen deficiency and dampness, is most commonly seen in overweight individuals who often experience bloating, shortness of breath with physical activity, poor appetite, fullness and distension in the epigastrium, excessive white vaginal discharge that is sticky and thick. During menstruation, there is mental fatigue, a heavy sensation in the head, heaviness in the limbs, and tiredness with a desire to sleep. The tongue coating is white and greasy, and the pulse is slippery and slow.
Prescription: The prescription "Tai Wu Shen Art of Medicine" can be used for treatment. Take 12 grams of Atractylodes macrocephala, 12 grams of tangerine peel, 10 grams each of patchouli, magnolia bark, and acorus calamus, 3 slices of fresh ginger, and 10 red dates. Decoct in water and take once a day, starting 5 days before the onset of menstruation and stopping after the period ends.
Symptoms: Excessive sleepiness during menstruation caused by qi and blood deficiency is mostly seen in women with a weak constitution. The symptoms include shortness of breath, laziness, fatigue, dizziness, and palpitations. The menstrual flow is light in color and thin. There is a strong desire to sleep during menstruation, especially after meals. The complexion is dull and yellow, the tongue is pale with a white coating, and the pulse is deep, thin, and weak.
Prescription: The traditional Chinese medicine formula "Shi Quan Da Bu Tang" can be used for treatment. Take 10 grams each of codonopsis root, white atractylodes, poria cocos, licorice, angelica root, white peony root, and rehmannia root, 30 grams of astragalus root, and 3 grams each of cinnamon bark and chuanxiong. Decoct in water and take once a day. Start taking the medication when excessive sleepiness occurs before menstruation and continue until the menstruation is clean. Generally, it is recommended to take the medication continuously for 5-8 doses.
Symptoms: Excessive sleepiness during menstruation caused by kidney essence deficiency is mostly seen in women who have had frequent induced abortions. The main clinical manifestations include fatigue and easy sleep, tinnitus, mental dullness, lack of energy in daily life, and soreness and weakness in the waist and knees. Menstruation is often delayed and the flow is light. The tongue is pale with a white coating, and the pulse is deep, thin, and weak.
Prescription: Take 30 grams of purple river cart, 24 grams of cooked rehmannia root, 10 grams each of fried eucommia bark, asparagus root, ophiopogon root, and achyranthes root, 10 grams of turtle shell, and 6 grams of coptis root. Grind into fine powder and mix with honey to form pills. Each pill weighs 10 grams. Take one pill in the morning and one pill in the evening.
How to solve the problem of excessive sleepiness during menstruation?
Pay attention to regular exercise such as jogging, playing sports, or practicing tai chi, choose a form of exercise that you enjoy and stick to it for the long term. Eat less sweet and fatty foods. Eat more watermelon in summer and sweet radish in winter. You can also cook porridge with red beans and coix seed for regular consumption.
