Amenorrhea

Menstruation does not come until 18 years old or stop coming for over three months is called amenorrhea. The cause of amenorrhea can be in deficient or excess types.

1. Blood depletion- (deficient types)

Clinic symptoms: Delayed menses cycle, decrease of menses and stop menses. Sallow face, lassitude, vertigo and dizziness, poor appetite, loose stools, dry skin. It is possible with hot sensation in the palms soles, afternoon fever and night sweating. 

Analysis :Improper intake of food or malnutrition can be the resolve of blood deficient. People who have been going through extreme diet program (dramatic weight loss) can cause amenorrhea. We often see young girl stop menses because of weight loss.  We also see woman who try to loss weight end up lost menses because lack of nourishment to their body.  

2. Blood stagnation- (excess types)

Clinic symptoms: absence of menses for months, lower abdominal distending pain aggravated by pressure, hard mass in lower ab. Distension and fullness feeling in the chest and hypochondriac area.

Analysis: It is due to emotional stress. In TCM study, called Liver qi stagnation.  Retardation of the qi and blood in the uterus obstruct the passage of menses.

Case Study:

            45 years old female, come for amenorrhea for 6 months. After the history taking, patient has breast pain,        distend and bloating lower abdominal discomfort. Patient always try lost weight, therefore diet all the time. Patient’s husband believes she has no stress. But It seems not true under my observation.  Treatment principle was focus to unblock the qi stagnation, nourishing the liver and invigorated the blood.

Acupuncture points: LV3, LV8, Sp10, Ren 4 6, ST 29, KI 13, SP6, LU7, SP9, ST36

Herbs: Shu Di, Dang Gui, Chi Shao, Xiang Fu, Chai Hi, Yi Mu Cao, Du Zong, Chuan Niu Xi, Yu Jin, Fu Ling, Mu Dan Pi, Ban Xia, Gui Ji Zi, Xi Yang Shen

At third weeks of treatments, patient start spotting, and small amount menses linker into the beginning of the forth week then stop. Treatment principle is modified at the fifth week to tonify the qi, blood and essence ready for the next cycle.