Dysmenorrhea is a common condition in women, and many women are very distressed by it. During menstruation, many women choose to take painkillers to cope with the pain, although it can provide temporary relief, it is not a permanent solution. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) focuses on syndrome differentiation in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
According to TCM, the main cause of this condition is poor circulation of qi and blood, which is known as "pain caused by obstruction". It is often caused by emotional discomfort, liver qi stagnation, blood stasis, stagnation of menstrual blood in the uterus or cold and cold drinks before menstruation, sitting or lying on wet ground, cold and dampness invading the uterus, or menstrual blood coagulation caused by cold and dampness; or deficiency in the body, deficiency of qi and blood after a serious or prolonged illness, deficiency of blood and sea after menstruation, and deficiency of nourishment in the uterus; or long-term liver depression transforming into fire, heat invading the menstrual blood, blood stasis, and blood circulation disturbances.
TCM classifies dysmenorrhea into patterns such as excess syndrome, deficiency syndrome, cold syndrome, and heat syndrome, with cold syndrome being the most common in clinical practice. The symptoms of cold syndrome include cold and pain in the lower abdomen before or during menstruation, pain that worsens with pressure, radiates to the lower back, relief with warmth, scanty and dark menstrual flow with blood clots, thin white coating on the tongue, and deep and tight pulse. For dysmenorrhea caused by cold syndrome, it is worth trying adhesive therapy. The commonly used acupoints are as follows:
Sanyinjiao (SP6): Located 3 inches above the tip of the inner ankle, in the depression behind the medial border of the tibia. This acupoint is the meeting point of the three yin meridians of the foot. With moxibustion, it can warm and tonify blood circulation.
Qihai (CV6): Located on the midline below the umbilicus, 1.5 inches below the navel. Qihai is an acupoint on the Ren meridian, which connects to the uterus and can regulate qi, activate blood circulation, and regulate the Chong and Ren channels.
Guanyuan (CV4): Located on the midline, 3 inches below the navel. Guanyuan is where the original qi is stored, and moxibustion on this point can strengthen the body, enhance resistance to cold.
These acupoints can be used together and applied with adhesive therapy for three days before menstruation. They have the effect of warming the meridians, dispersing cold, relieving pain, promoting blood circulation, and resolving blood stasis.
In addition, you can choose to apply a "warm moxibustion patch" to the navel area, which can warm the meridians, resolve blood stasis, promote meridian circulation, regulate qi and blood, and improve immune function. Generally, it is applied at the beginning of menstruation. These warm moxibustion patches are available in pharmacies and can be applied at home. This method is simple, painless, and has no side effects.
It is also important to note that in the days before menstruation, one should overcome fear and avoid excessive psychological pressure or prolonged sitting, as they can lead to poor circulation of qi and blood and hinder the flow of menstrual blood. Try to control emotional fluctuations and avoid strong mental stimulation, maintaining a positive mood. During menstruation, pay attention to dietary adjustments, avoid consuming cold and cool foods before and during menstruation to prevent blood stasis and worsen dysmenorrhea. For those with heavy menstrual flow, it is not advisable to consume spicy and dry foods, to avoid further heat accumulation and exacerbate bleeding. Do not abuse medication, but instead seek treatment based on the cause of dysmenorrhea. With appropriate syndrome differentiation and treatment, not only can the pain be relieved immediately, but the underlying causes can also be addressed, preventing the recurrence of dysmenorrhea.
