It has become a
cultural norm here in America that accompanied with a monthly menstrual cycle is
pain. Women load up on Midol and Motrin every month to alleviate symptoms of
abdominal and lower back cramping, breast tenderness, ovulation pains, ovarian
cysts and every other type of pain associated with a period. Patients are
placed on birth control to reduce said symptoms and regulate their periods, and
sometimes the treatment is to completely stop their cycles all together. The
link that many doctors and patients don’t recognize is that abnormal cycles can
actually be a precursor to a more serious problem, such as infertility.
One of the most common western
diagnoses for painful periods is Endometriosis. This is when viable endometrial
tissue is present outside of the uterine cavity. In Chinese Medicine this will
present with symptom of blood stasis leading to the accumulation of damp heat
and fire in the lower jiao. When there is blood stasis in the lower jiao, there
will be a lack of blood flow to important reproductive organs. This will lead
to a lack of nourishment causing infertility. Damp heat in the lower jiao will
present as inflammation and cause blockages that must be resolved for fertility
to be possible (2).
Western medicine classifies
dysmenorrhea as pain or cramping in the lower abdomen accompanied by other
symptoms: sweating, headaches, vomit, nausea, diarrhea and tremors occurring
just before or during menstruation. There are two types of dysmenorrhea:
primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea occurs in women under the age of
twenty with no pathological pelvic disease present. Secondary dysmenorrhea
occurs in women over the age of twenty and is usually linked to some pelvic
pathology. Risk factors for dysmenorrhea include age, smoking, high BMI, early
menarche, null parity, long and heavy menstrual flow and a family history of
dysmenorrhea (1).
Common patterns associated with
dysmenorrhea include Spleen Qi and Kidney Yang Xu with a Chong and Ren
Disharmony; Kidney Qi Xu with Blood Stagnation; Kidney Yin Xu with LQS and Blood
Heat; Spleen Qi and Blood Xu (3); and Excessive Heat or Cold (1). The first
pattern is typically associated with luteal phase defect or polycystic ovarian
syndrome which can both cause infertility or miscarriage early on in pregnancy.
Kidney Qi Xu with Blood Stagnation is common in women with autoimmune disorders
or anti-phospholipid syndrome and can cause miscarriage at any time during
pregnancy. Kidney Yin Xu with LQS and Blood Heat is commonly seen with
anti-sperm antibodies or hyperthyroidism. Spleen Qi and Blood Xu are connected
to hypothyroidism, luteal phase defect or incompetent cervix (3). Excessive heat
will produce early and heavy periods, whereas excessive cold will produce
scanty or delayed periods (1).
Chinese Medicine views the
regulation of blood to be the main treatment of any menstrual disorder. The
three main herbs used in any formula for menstrual irregularities are Dang Gui,
Bai (Chi) Shao, and Sheng Di Huang. Dang Gui is known as the “female ginseng”
for its abilities to regulate menstruation, tonify the reproductive system,
relieve pain, reduce PMS and reduce symptoms of menopause (2). Acupuncture
points will focus on the Spleen, Kidney and Liver meridians since these are the
three meridians most closely associated with menstrual disorders. SP 8, 10 and
LV 5 are primary points to move blood and stop pain. SP 6, LV 3, ST 36, KD 6,
BL 18, 20 and 23 are good points to nourish the menstrual reservoir. Zi Gong
and Ti Tuo are local points that can be used to move stagnation and relieve
pain, as well as points on which to use needle Moxa to warm the UT.
For many reasons, dysmenorrhea
and infertility are best treated with the use of both Western and Eastern
Medicine. Western medicine has mounds of technology that can visually show
where dysfunction is happening in the body and show levels of hormones
associated with menstruation and fertility. Many western medicines are very fast
and effective for treating the primary concern, but they produce harsh side
effects that can be moderated by Chinese herbs to ensure a quick and effective
treatment. In the treatment of women’s health, one is good, but two is better.
Works Cited:
1. Hong, Ju, Mark Jones and Gita
Mishra. “The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dysmenorrhea.” Oxford Journals,
Medicine and Health, Epidemiologic Reviews 10.1093 (2013): Web. 27 Dec. 2013.
2. Zhou, J., and F. Qu.
"Treating Gynecological Disorders with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A
Review." African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative
Medicines 6.4 (2010): 494-517. NCBI. Web. 8 Dec. 2014.
3.
Zhao, Liqin. "The Treatment of Recurrent Spontaneous Miscarriage."
Journal of Chinese Medicine 101 (2013): 13-18. Print.
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