Dysmenorrhoea, cramps or painful menstruation, involves menstrual periods that are accompanied by either sharp, intermittent pain or
dull, aching pain, usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Although some pain during menstruation is normal, excessive pain is not.
Dysmenorrhoea refers to menstrual pain severe enough to limit normal activities.
Clinically, there are two sorts of dysmenorrhoea, primary and secondary. The former refers to menstrual pain that occurs in otherwise
healthy women. This type of pain is not related to any specific problems with the uterus or other pelvic organs. It is also known as
functional dysmenorrhoea. The latter is causes by certain underlying diseases, such as endometriosis, acute or chronic pelvic
inflammation etc. Endometriosis is the most common cause associated.
TCM holds that pain is caused by the blockage of channels. Blood stasis in Chong and Ren channels and/or accumulation of coldness in
the channels and meridians leads to the impediment of the flow of Qi and blood as well as the stagnation of menses. Thus
dysmenorrheoa occurs. Besides, it may be brought about by deficiency of Qi and blood which deprive uterine collaterals of
nourishment.
Kidney deficiency and blood stasis
Main manifestations: Severe abdominal pain occurs the first day of period accompanied by lower back soreness. Delayed period,
purple dark, scarce menses mixed with blood clots. The tongue is red while the pulse is threadlike and taut. Normally a history of
irregular period is present.
Therapeutic principle: Tonifying kidney, removing blood stasis and relieving pain.
Chinese herbal medicine:
Modified Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang (three days before menstruation till menstrual finish)
Wu Yao, Yan Hu, Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Chi Shao, Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Dan Pi.
Modified Gui Shao Di Hang Tang (seven days after menstruation till three days before menstruation)
Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Shan Yao, Shu Di, Xu Duan, Chong Wei Zi.
Acupuncture: Guanyuan (RN4), Taixi (KI3), Dahe (KI12), Geshu (BL17)
Qi-stagnation and blood stasis
Main manifestations: Abdominal pain, distention in the lower abdomen, just one or two days before menstruation or during the
menstrual cycle; delayed period, purple dark menses mixed with blood clots, the excretion of which can alleviated the pain. Other
symptoms include distending pain in the chest and breasts, irritability, stomach distention and upset, red or purplish dark tongue
with/without ecchymoses on its margin, threadlike and taut pulse.
Therapeutic principle: Soothing the liver and regulating the flow of Qi; removing blood stasis and alleviating the pain.
Chinese herbal medicine:
Modified Jia Wei Wu Yao Tang (three days previous to menstruation till menstrual finish)
Wu Yao, Xiang Fu, Yan Hu, Chen Pi, Qing Pi, Dang Gui, Chi Shao, Yi Mu Cao.
Acupuncture: Qihai (RN6), Qixue (KI13), Tanzhong (RN17), Xuehai (SP10)
Accumulation of cold and dampness
Main manifestations: Cold pain in the lower abdomen just before menstruation or during the menstrual period, which becomes
aggravated by pressing and relieved by warmth. The case is also marked by dark-coloured, scanty menses mixed with blood clots, by
loose stools and by aversion to cold. The patient has a whitish, greasy tongue coating and tense pulse.
Therapeutic principle: Warming the channels, expelling cold and dampness, promoting blood circulation and alleviating pain.
Chinese herbal medicine:
Modified Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang (three days before menstruation till menstrual finish)
Rou Gui, Xiao Hui Xiang, Pao Jiang, Xuan Hu, Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Pu Huang, Chi Shao, Cang Zhu.
Acupuncture: Zhonji (RN3), Shuidao (ST28), Diji (SP8)
Liver fire due to Qi stagnation
Main manifestations: Irregular period, either earlier or later, dark red menses with clots or sticky mucous. Abdominal distention,
burning, throbbing pain before and during menstruation, accompanied by chest distention, irritability, dry mouth with bitter taste,
distending pain in breasts, scarce and yellow urine, threadlike and taut pulse, red tongue with yellow and sticky tongue coating.
Therapeutic principle: clearing away stagnant heat, removing blood stasis and relieving pain.
Chinese herbal medicine:
Modified Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang (three days before menstruation till menstrual finish)
Chi Shao, Bai Shao, Dang Gui, Dan Pi, Shan Zhi, Cai Hu, Xiang Fu, Yu Jin, Huang Qin, Gan Cao.
Acupuncture: Qihai (RN6), Taichong (LV3), Sanyinjiao (SP6)
Deficiency of Qi and blood
Main manifestations: Dull and bearing-down pain with a strain sensation in the lower abdomen just one or two days after menstrual
onset or during the menstrual period or even after period, which can be lessened by pressing and stroking. Scarce, dilute menses.
Other symptoms can be dizziness, blurred vision, palpitation, lassitude, poor appetite, threadlike pulse, pale tongue.
Therapeutic principle: Replenishing spleen, tonifying Qi, nourishing blood and alleviating pain.
Chinese herbal medicine:
Modified Ba Zhen Tang (from onset of menstruation till three days after menstruation)
Dang Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Shu Di, Chuan Xiong, Zhi Gan Cao.
Acupuncture: Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Qihai (RN6).
Deficiency of liver and kidney
Main manifestations: irregular menses, scanty or profuse, red colour. Persistent dull lower abdominal pain one or two days after
the menstrual onset accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, lower back soreness, threadlike and taut pulse, red tongue.
Therapeutic principle: Tonifying the liver and kidney, nourishing blood and relieving pain.
Chinese herbal medicine:
Modified Tiao Gan Tang (from the menstrual onset till three days after menstruation)
Shan Yao, E Jiao, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Shan Yu Rou, Ba Ji Tian, Gan Cao, Xu Duan, Gou Qi Zi.
Acupuncture: Ganshu (BL18), Shenshu (BL23), Guanyuan (RN4), Zusanli (ST36), Zhaohai (KI6)
As for endometriosis-related dysmenorrhoea, based on above-mentioned treatment, it is subject to two more points: attach important
to kidney deficiency; pay attention to varied treatment according to different stage of menstrual cycle.
dull, aching pain, usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Although some pain during menstruation is normal, excessive pain is not.
Dysmenorrhoea refers to menstrual pain severe enough to limit normal activities.
Clinically, there are two sorts of dysmenorrhoea, primary and secondary. The former refers to menstrual pain that occurs in otherwise
healthy women. This type of pain is not related to any specific problems with the uterus or other pelvic organs. It is also known as
functional dysmenorrhoea. The latter is causes by certain underlying diseases, such as endometriosis, acute or chronic pelvic
inflammation etc. Endometriosis is the most common cause associated.
TCM holds that pain is caused by the blockage of channels. Blood stasis in Chong and Ren channels and/or accumulation of coldness in
the channels and meridians leads to the impediment of the flow of Qi and blood as well as the stagnation of menses. Thus
dysmenorrheoa occurs. Besides, it may be brought about by deficiency of Qi and blood which deprive uterine collaterals of
nourishment.
Kidney deficiency and blood stasis
Main manifestations: Severe abdominal pain occurs the first day of period accompanied by lower back soreness. Delayed period,
purple dark, scarce menses mixed with blood clots. The tongue is red while the pulse is threadlike and taut. Normally a history of
irregular period is present.
Therapeutic principle: Tonifying kidney, removing blood stasis and relieving pain.
Chinese herbal medicine:
Modified Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang (three days before menstruation till menstrual finish)
Wu Yao, Yan Hu, Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Chi Shao, Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Dan Pi.
Modified Gui Shao Di Hang Tang (seven days after menstruation till three days before menstruation)
Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Shan Yao, Shu Di, Xu Duan, Chong Wei Zi.
Acupuncture: Guanyuan (RN4), Taixi (KI3), Dahe (KI12), Geshu (BL17)
Qi-stagnation and blood stasis
Main manifestations: Abdominal pain, distention in the lower abdomen, just one or two days before menstruation or during the
menstrual cycle; delayed period, purple dark menses mixed with blood clots, the excretion of which can alleviated the pain. Other
symptoms include distending pain in the chest and breasts, irritability, stomach distention and upset, red or purplish dark tongue
with/without ecchymoses on its margin, threadlike and taut pulse.
Therapeutic principle: Soothing the liver and regulating the flow of Qi; removing blood stasis and alleviating the pain.
Chinese herbal medicine:
Modified Jia Wei Wu Yao Tang (three days previous to menstruation till menstrual finish)
Wu Yao, Xiang Fu, Yan Hu, Chen Pi, Qing Pi, Dang Gui, Chi Shao, Yi Mu Cao.
Acupuncture: Qihai (RN6), Qixue (KI13), Tanzhong (RN17), Xuehai (SP10)
Accumulation of cold and dampness
Main manifestations: Cold pain in the lower abdomen just before menstruation or during the menstrual period, which becomes
aggravated by pressing and relieved by warmth. The case is also marked by dark-coloured, scanty menses mixed with blood clots, by
loose stools and by aversion to cold. The patient has a whitish, greasy tongue coating and tense pulse.
Therapeutic principle: Warming the channels, expelling cold and dampness, promoting blood circulation and alleviating pain.
Chinese herbal medicine:
Modified Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang (three days before menstruation till menstrual finish)
Rou Gui, Xiao Hui Xiang, Pao Jiang, Xuan Hu, Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Pu Huang, Chi Shao, Cang Zhu.
Acupuncture: Zhonji (RN3), Shuidao (ST28), Diji (SP8)
Liver fire due to Qi stagnation
Main manifestations: Irregular period, either earlier or later, dark red menses with clots or sticky mucous. Abdominal distention,
burning, throbbing pain before and during menstruation, accompanied by chest distention, irritability, dry mouth with bitter taste,
distending pain in breasts, scarce and yellow urine, threadlike and taut pulse, red tongue with yellow and sticky tongue coating.
Therapeutic principle: clearing away stagnant heat, removing blood stasis and relieving pain.
Chinese herbal medicine:
Modified Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang (three days before menstruation till menstrual finish)
Chi Shao, Bai Shao, Dang Gui, Dan Pi, Shan Zhi, Cai Hu, Xiang Fu, Yu Jin, Huang Qin, Gan Cao.
Acupuncture: Qihai (RN6), Taichong (LV3), Sanyinjiao (SP6)
Deficiency of Qi and blood
Main manifestations: Dull and bearing-down pain with a strain sensation in the lower abdomen just one or two days after menstrual
onset or during the menstrual period or even after period, which can be lessened by pressing and stroking. Scarce, dilute menses.
Other symptoms can be dizziness, blurred vision, palpitation, lassitude, poor appetite, threadlike pulse, pale tongue.
Therapeutic principle: Replenishing spleen, tonifying Qi, nourishing blood and alleviating pain.
Chinese herbal medicine:
Modified Ba Zhen Tang (from onset of menstruation till three days after menstruation)
Dang Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Shu Di, Chuan Xiong, Zhi Gan Cao.
Acupuncture: Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Qihai (RN6).
Deficiency of liver and kidney
Main manifestations: irregular menses, scanty or profuse, red colour. Persistent dull lower abdominal pain one or two days after
the menstrual onset accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, lower back soreness, threadlike and taut pulse, red tongue.
Therapeutic principle: Tonifying the liver and kidney, nourishing blood and relieving pain.
Chinese herbal medicine:
Modified Tiao Gan Tang (from the menstrual onset till three days after menstruation)
Shan Yao, E Jiao, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Shan Yu Rou, Ba Ji Tian, Gan Cao, Xu Duan, Gou Qi Zi.
Acupuncture: Ganshu (BL18), Shenshu (BL23), Guanyuan (RN4), Zusanli (ST36), Zhaohai (KI6)
As for endometriosis-related dysmenorrhoea, based on above-mentioned treatment, it is subject to two more points: attach important
to kidney deficiency; pay attention to varied treatment according to different stage of menstrual cycle.
Herbs & Acupuncture
Dysmenorrhoea
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Combined Natural Health Ltd. (CNH)
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Combined Natural Health Ltd. (CNH)
All Rights Reserved.
21 Marsland Road, Sale,
Cheshire, M33 3HP, UK
Tel: 0044 161 9620855
Web: www.herbsacupuncture.co.uk
Email: clinic@herbsacupuncture.co.uk
Cheshire, M33 3HP, UK
Tel: 0044 161 9620855
Web: www.herbsacupuncture.co.uk
Email: clinic@herbsacupuncture.co.uk