Nowadays, more and more people are using traditional Chinese medicine to maintain their health, especially women who often use Chinese medicine to regulate their menstrual cycle and hormones. So, can women drink Chinese medicine during their period?
Can women drink Chinese medicine during their period?
Women can appropriately take some Chinese medicine during their period, but it is best to do so under the guidance of a doctor, so as not to neglect our health and safety.
Generally speaking, during the menstrual cycle, all treatment methods, whether it is medication or complementary therapy, should be stopped. Especially for medications, if taken without understanding their effects, they can have an impact on the physiological cycle and menstrual flow, and may disrupt the endocrine system. Therefore, it is best to avoid them. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, taking Chinese medicine (such as ginseng and angelica) stewed with chicken during menstruation has two main effects: blood nourishment and Qi tonification. This method of dietary supplementation is more suitable for people with irregular menstruation, excessive menstrual bleeding, physical weakness, and fatigue.
It is best to consume angelica after the menstrual period, as it has a blood-activating effect and may increase menstrual bleeding. As for some people who experience a decrease in menstrual flow after taking Chinese medicine stewed with chicken during their period, it may be due to its Qi tonifying and blood-stopping effects. If the decrease in menstrual flow is caused by taking Chinese medicine stewed with chicken during the period, stopping the medication is sufficient. If after stopping the medication, the menstrual flow remains too low for a long time, it is necessary to consult a doctor to see if there are other reasons causing the decrease in menstrual flow.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that if there are medications with blood-activating and collaterals-opening effects, they should not be used during the period. If they are not from this category, they can usually be used during the period. For example, Chinese medicine for treating cold and fever usually has the effect of clearing heat and detoxification, and is cooling in nature, so it may cause uterine cold and abdominal pain. However, the impact is not significant, and there is no need to worry. Applying a warm water bag and drinking more brown sugar water can alleviate the symptoms.
8 types of medications that should not be taken randomly during the period
1. Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis
This type of medication not only has anticoagulant and anti-thrombotic effects, but also dilates blood vessels and accelerates blood flow, which can cause excessive menstrual bleeding.
2. Weight loss drugs
Weight loss drugs often contain appetite suppressants. If used during the period, they may cause menstrual disorders, increased urination or difficulty urinating, and may even cause palpitations, anxiety, and in severe cases, amenorrhea.
3. Hemostatic drugs
Hemostatic drugs such as tranexamic acid and vitamin K can reduce the permeability of capillaries and cause constriction of capillaries, resulting in poor menstrual blood flow. In addition, caution should be exercised when using Chinese herbal medicines or Chinese patent medicines with strong hemostatic effects.
4. Anticoagulant drugs
Anticoagulant drugs can cause excessive menstrual bleeding or even heavy bleeding. They should be avoided during the period, such as warfarin, heparin, thrombolytic agents, etc.
5. Local vaginal medications for gynecological infections
Lotions, suppositories, effervescent tablets, etc. used to treat vaginal inflammation should be temporarily discontinued. During the menstrual period, the uterine mucosa is congested and the cervix is relaxed, and there may be stagnant blood in the vagina, which is very suitable for bacterial growth and reproduction. If local vaginal medication is used at this time, slight carelessness may lead to bacteria invading the uterine cavity and endometrium.
6. Laxatives
Laxatives such as magnesium sulfate and sodium sulfate have strong laxative effects, which can cause reflex pelvic congestion, so they should be avoided during the period. Other gastrointestinal motility drugs should also be used with caution or avoided.
7. Thyroid hormone preparations
Thyroid hormone preparations can cause menstrual disorders, so they should be avoided during the period.
8. Hormonal drugs
The synthesis and metabolism balance of female hormones are closely related to the menstrual cycle. Therefore, hormonal drugs should not be used during the period to avoid menstrual disorders. For example, androgen can cause decreased menstrual flow, amenorrhea, and irregular cycles, while progesterone can cause breast pain or irregular vaginal bleeding.
