Irregular menstrual cycle: an introduction of irregular periods, chaotic mentruation periods and various types, abnormal menstruation types.
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✵Gynecology of TCM is a branch to study the physiological and pathological characteristics of women and to prevent and treat syndromes specific to women. Gynecology of TCM research scope including irregular menstruation, amenia, metrorrhagia, infertility, postpartum syndromes, breast syndromes, and miscellaneous syndromes, etc.
Irregular menstrual cycle.
- Irregular menstrual cycle.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle is also known as irregular periods, periods that come with an irregular cycle, more than one week early or later, it is also known as chaotic menstruation or chaotic periods.
✧ Normally, the period comes not following the due time and normal menstrual periods, sometime earlier, sometime later, menstruation in chaotic order, are defined as irregular menstrual cycle, or irregular periods.
✦ The pathogenic reason that leads to the irregular menstrual cycle, or irregular periods, are known mostly due to liver-depression and Qi stagnation, stagnation of liver-Qi and spleen-deficiency type, kidney-Yang deficiency type, etc. So the irregular menstrual cycle are classified into various types. This article gives an introduction about the related syndromes: irregular menstrual cycle of liver-Qi stagnation type, irregular menstrual cycle of liver-QI stagnation and spleen-deficiency type, irregular menstrual cycle of liver and spleen deficiency heat type, irregular menstrual cycle of Middle-Qi deficiency type, spleen stomach deficiency type, kidney-Yang deficiency type, blood deficiency type, emaciation type, postponed type, postponed type and emaciation, postponed type and fat, twice menses, incessant menses,menstruation in months, different types of menses colors including menses color purple, menses color light, menses color pork-liver soup or bile, menses color yellow mud water, menses color copper green water, menses color all whites, menses color as scallion white(very light blue) or black, and abnormal menstrual discharge, menses as roof water leakage, menses smelly as rotten meat, menses as fish brain, etc.
✵Common terms related to irregular menstrual cycle are introduced:
Bimonthly menstruation:menstruation occurring once every two months, it is also known as Bing Yue in TCM.
Trimonthly menstruation:menstruation occurring once every three months, also called quarterly menstruation, it is also known as Ju Jing, or Ji Jing.
Quaterly menstruation:menstruation occurring once each season, same as trimonthly menstruation.
Annual menstruation:menstruation occurring once a year, it is also known as Bi Nian.
Latent menstruation:absence of menstrual discharge, life-long, but with the potentiality of pregnancy, it is also known as An Jing.
Menstrual irregularities:irregular menstruation and other menstrual complaints.
Irregular periods: also known as irregular menstrual cycle, periods that come with an irregular cycle, more than one week early or later, also called Jing Luan(chaotic menstruation).
Menstrual blood: blood discharged through the genital tract during menstruation.
Menstrual discharge: another term for menstruation, also called monthly discharge.
Menstruation: cyclic discharge from the genital tract of a woman, usually at approximately one-month intervals, also called menstrual discharge, monthly discharge, or monthly matter.
Irregular menstrual cycle of liver-Qi stagnation type.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of liver-Qi stagnation type.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of liver-Qi stagnation type is mainly due to stagnation of liver-Qi, its symptoms are often worry and lingering affection, angry and sadness, later troubled with advanced menstruation or delayed menstruation, menstrual obstruction, swelling pain in breast and abdomen, and affected the bilateral hypochondria(costal regions), choking sensation in chest(sense of suppression in the chest), often want to sigh, mental depression and not happy.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman feels there is a mass in the abdomen, attack upward irregularly, or pain with sound, swallow acid liquid and stagnation, irregular menstruation, inhibited urination, over two years, complexion both cyanotic and yellow. This is the condition Qi stagnation of liver and spleen..."[02].
Irregular menstrual cycle of liver-Qi stagnation and spleen-deficiency type.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of liver-Qi stagnation and spleen-deficiency type.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of liver-Qi stagnation and spleen-deficiency type is mainly due to liver-Qi stagnation and spleen-deficiency: its symptoms are she suffers from sometimes advanced menstruation and sometimes delayed menstruation, hypermenorrhea (excessive menstruation) or hypomenorrhea (scanty menstruation), menstruation color is light as water, diluted stool (watery sloppy stool), poor appetite, soft in limbs and lack strength (feel weak, soft in hands and arms, feet and legs), coolness of extremities, fatigued and tired, mental tiredness (spiritlessness), tongue is colorless and white, tongue body is fat and floating, etc.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman's nature is calm and quiet, good at sewing and other woman's skills, easy to anger, a mass accumulated in the lower abdomen, or pains, or depression, irregular menstruation, ever took recipes inhibiting hepatic asthenia, internal heat, obstruction in the chest and diaphragm, feel tasteless in diet, gradually thin, decayed gums. This is the syndrome of spleen deficiency."[02].
Irregular menstrual cycle of liver and spleen deficiency heat type.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of liver and spleen deficiency heat type.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of liver and spleen deficiency heat type is mainly due to liver and spleen deficiency heat, the symptoms are observed she often suffers from tinnitus, internal heat, tiredness of limbs and body, tasteless of diet, etc.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from tinnitus and internal heat, irregular menstruation, tiredness of limbs and body, tasteless in the diet. This is the syndrome deficiency and heat of the liver and spleen."; "A lady suffers from pains in the ears or backside of ears and side of the back neck, alternating chills and fever, bitterness in the mouth, irregular menstruation. This is the syndrome liver-fire Qi-stagnancy and blood-clotting..."[02].
"The spleen is insufficiency, no appetite(do not want to take food or drink), blood failure, as a result, menstruation date is delayed, or take more diet the next month, the menstruation date turns early..."[05].
"The menstruation date is either preceded (advanced menstruation, or early periods) or postponed (delayed menstrual cycle, or retarded menstruation). Its symptoms are the Pi Tu(the spleen earth) is not in domination, no appetite(do not want to take food or drink), is due to blood decline..."[06].
Irregular menstrual cycle of Middle-Qi deficiency type.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of Middle-Qi deficiency type.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of Middle-Qi deficiency type is mainly due to Middle-Qi deficiency, its symptoms often observed are a woman suffers from dizziness attack irregularly, menstruation delayed and menstrual volume is less.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from dizziness attack irregularly, menstruation retarded and menstrual volume is less. This is the syndrome of irregular menstruation due to the Middle-Qi deficiency."[02].
Irregular menstrual cycle of spleen stomach deficiency type.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of spleen stomach deficiency type.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of spleen stomach deficiency type is mainly due to spleen and stomach deficiency, its symptoms are a woman's menses comes early or menses comes later, it is also known as Yan Qi(varied period).
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman's menses come earlier or menses comes later, is known as Yan Qi(varied period). It is due to deficiency of the spleen and stomach viscera, the Chong channel and Ren channel are hurt, deficiency of Qi and blood..."[05].
Irregular menstrual cycle of kidney-Yang deficiency type.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of kidney-Yang deficiency type.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of kidney-Yang deficiency type is mainly due to kidney-Yang deficiency, its symptoms are a woman often suffers from poor appetite (reduced appetite), soft limbs and lack strength (softness in hands and feet, arms and legs, feel weak), coolness of extremities, fatigue and tired, mental tiredness (spiritlessness), feel cold in daytime, etc.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from irregular menstrual cycle, due to wind pathogen invading the uterus in deficiency, and hurt the Chong channel and the Ren channel, hurt the hand Tai Yang and Shao Yin..."[04].
Irregular menstrual cycle of blood deficiency type.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of blood deficiency type.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of blood deficiency type is mainly due to blood deficiency, its symptoms are a woman often suffers from sometimes preceded menstruation and sometimes delayed menstruation, fever and dry mouth, etc.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman feels heat and dry mouth, irregular menstruation, powerless in legs, ever took herb decoction which function is eliminating dampness ever, pain in legs, tiredness of body, edema on knees, amenia. This is the condition of blood deficiency and pyretic dryness of the liver, spleen kidney.";"A woman often holds a habit diligent and hardworking, caught cough at early winter and suffers from fever, spit blood and night sweat after a period, menstruation comes every two to three months, pain in the whole body...this is the syndrome of blood deficiency and also hurt by recipes."[02].
"A woman suffers from irregular menstrual cycles, menses not comes in regular periods, what is it? This is the condition due to disorder of Qi..."[03].
"A woman suffers from irregular menstrual cycles, due to Qi and blood hurt from strain and consumption, physical deficiency and wind cold pathogen invading the uterus, hurt the Ren channel and Chong channel..."[04].Different types of irregular menstrual cycles are introduced:
⑴.A woman suffers from irregular menstrual cycles, hurt from hate and anger; ⑵....hurt from wind and heat; ⑶....blood deficiency; ⑷....kidney water insufficiency;
Irregular menstrual cycle of Emaciation type.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of Emaciation type.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of emaciation type is mainly due to emaciation, much heat, kidney deficiency and blood insufficiency, dryness.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman is emaciated and suffers from heat, lead to irregular menses, no other syndromes, is the syndrome of kidney water deficiency and blood insufficiency, dryness, etc..."[05].
Irregular menstrual cycle of postponed type.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of postponed type.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of postponed type is mainly due to Qi and blood deficiency, its symptoms often observed are a woman's menses comes after the normal due date, it is also known as postponed menses.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman's nature is temperate and gentle, with phlegm, menses comes after the normal date or postponed, is due to deficiency of Qi and blood, ... If her nature is irritable with much anger, and menses comes after the normal date or postponed, it is also due to deficiency of Qi and blood..."[05].
Irregular menstrual cycle of postponed type and emaciation.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of postponed type and emaciation.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of postponed type and emaciation is mainly due to Qi and blood deficiency, its symptoms often observed are a woman's menses comes after the normal due date, it is also known as postponed menses of emaciation.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman is emaciated, no other syndromes, menses is postponed, is the syndrome of Qi and blood insufficiency,...If in the condition she suffers from poor appetite, deficiency of spleen and stomach, menses is postponed, is the syndrome of Qi failure and blood insufficiency..."[05].
Irregular menstrual cycle of postponed type and fat.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of postponed type and fat.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of postponed type and fat is mainly due to dampness phlegm stasis, its symptoms often observed are a woman's menses comes after the normal due date, it is also known as postponed menses of fat type.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman is fat, take much food and drink, menses postponed, it is the syndrome of dampness and phlegm stagnancy and stasis, affection from body fat..."[05].
Irregular menstrual cycle of twice menses.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of twice menses.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of twice menses is mainly due to irritable nature and hurt the liver.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman's nature is irritable, much anger and the liver is hurt...or mistakenly took recipes which nature is hot and spicy, lead to twice menstruation in a month...
A woman passes menses in several drops and stopped, passes menses in other several drops in five days or ten days, menstruation comes twice or triple times in a month, complexion greenish-yellow(looks cyanotic and yellowish)."[05].
Incessant menses.
- Incessant menses.
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✵The incessant menses is incessant or continuous menstruation mainly due to blood heat. It is also known as incessant menstruation.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from menses flooding over 10 days or half months, not stopped, is the syndrome of blood heat and hemopyretic bleeding..."[05].
"A woman suffers from menses lasting for 10 days or half months, still not stopped, is the syndrome of hemopyretic bleeding(blood flows randomly). Should ask her whether ever took an excessive volume of red pepper, ginger, etc, it is a syndrome of excess..."[06].
Menstruation in months.
- Menstruation in months.
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✵The menstruation in months is a syndrome that menses comes in several months, mainly due to excessive phlegm and Qi deficiency, or deficiency of the spleen and stomach, deficiency of Qi and blood.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman is plump in shape and appearance, much phlegm and Qi deficiency, suffers from menses comes in several months...; A woman is emaciated and deficiency of spleen and stomach, deficiency of Qi and blood, suffers from menses comes in several months..."[05].
Menses color purple.
- Menses color purple.
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✵The menses color purple is a syndrome that menses is purple, normally due to heat.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from purple menses, is the syndrome of heat..."[05].
Menses color light.
- Menses color light.
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✵The menses color light is a syndrome that menses is light, normally due to blood deficiency.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from light menses, is the syndrome of blood deficiency..."[05].
Menses color pork-liver soup or bile.
- Menses color pork-liver soup or bile.
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✵The menses color pork-liver soup is a syndrome that the menses color is similar to pork-liver soup, normally due to Qi and blood deficiency. The pork-liver soup color is similar to color of the bile, so it is also known as menses color as bile or gallbladder liquid.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from menses color is similar to pork-liver soup, five frustrating heat(dysphoria and fever in chest and palms-soles), pain in low back and abdomen, emaciation and yellow complexion(thin, looks yellow on face), no appetite(do not take food and drink), is the syndrome of Qi and blood deficiency..."[05].
"A woman suffers from menses color is similar to Dan Shui(gallbladder liquid, or bile from the liver), five frustrating heat(dysphoria and fever in chest palms-soles), pain in low back and pain in the lower abdomen, sallow complexion(looks yellow sallow on face), no appetite(do not take food and drink), is the syndrome of blood deficiency and Qi weakness..."[06].
Menses color yellow mud water.
- Menses color yellow mud water.
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✵The menses color yellow mud water is a syndrome that menses color is similar to yellow mud water, normally due to great deficiency or exhaustion.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from menses color is similar to yellow mud water, is the syndrome of great deficiency or exhaustion..."[05].
"Menses color is similar to yellow water: it is syndrome of blood deficiency..."[06].
Menses color copper green water.
- Menses color copper green water.
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✵The menses color copper green water is a syndrome that menses color is similar to copper green(patina, aerugo), normally due to great deficiency and cold.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from menses color is similar to copper green water(aerugo or patina), is the syndrome of great deficiency and cold..."[05].
"Menses color is similar to green water, no any blood color: it is syndrome of great deficiency and great cold..."[06].
Menses color all whites.
- Menses color all whites.
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✵The menses color all white is a syndrome that menses color is all white, normally due to blood and Qi deficiency.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from menses color is all white, five frustrating heat(dysphoria and fever in chest palms-soles ), pain in urination, cyanotic yellowish complexion(looks cyanotic yellow or greenish yellow), is the syndrome of Qi and blood deficiency..."[05].
"Menses color similar to whole white, no any blood color, dysphoria with smothery sensation in five centers(irritable, vexed and heat in the heart and four palms-cores), pain in urination, cyanotic yellow complexion(looks cyanotic yellow or greenish-yellow on face): it is a syndrome of Qi and blood deficiency..."[06].
Menses color as scallion white(very light blue) or black.
- Menses color as scallion white(very light blue) or black.
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✵The menses color scallion white is a syndrome that a woman's menses in clots, color is similar to scallion white, light blue, or the color is black similar to condensed residue blood, normally due to deficiency and cold.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from menses in clots, color is similar to scallion white(very light blue), or the color is black similar to condensed residue pig blood, also suffers from dizziness, dime eyesight, numbness of mouth and lips, is the syndrome of deficiency and cold..."[05].
"A woman's menses comes in clots, color similar to scallion white, or similar to pig blood black, dazzled and dim eyesight, numbness in lips: it is a syndrome of deficiency..."[06].
Menses as roof water leakage.
- Menses as roof water leakage.
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✵The menses color roof water leakage is a syndrome that menses is similar to roof water leakage, normally due to blood deficiency with heat.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from menses is similar to roof water leakage, dizziness and dazzled, pain in the lower abdomen, leukorrhea, smelly in the throat as fishy smells, nausea, vomit or throw up, is the syndrome of blood deficiency with heat..."[05].
"A woman suffers from menses similar to roof water leakage, dizziness and dazzled, dim eyesight, pain in the lower abdomen, white leukorrhea, smelly in the throat as fishy smells, nausea and vomit or throw up..."[06].
Menses smelly as rotten meat.
- Menses smelly as rotten meat.
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✵The menses smelly as rotten meat is a syndrome that menses comes and odor is smelly, as rotten meat, or fishy smell, normally due to blood deficiency and hurt from heat diet.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from menses comes and its odor is smelly as rotten meat is the syndrome of blood weakness, and hurt from heat diet..."[05].
"A woman's menses comes and its odor is smelly as rotten meat in summer days: it is a syndrome of blood weakness and take much food with heat, similar to water dried in irrigation canals and ditches, weather is dry and no rains, in long period it is smelly..."[06].
Menses as fish brain.
- Menses as fish brain.
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✵The menses as the fish brain is a syndrome that menses comes and appearance similar to the fish brain, normally due to deficiency cold at the lower.
✵Ancient herbalists who hold a syndrome differentiation viewpoint with similar explain of pathogenic reasons, and the relevant representative work are introduced and quoted:"A woman suffers from menses comes and appearance similar to the fish brain, pain in feet, could not move or lift feet, is the syndrome of deficiency cold at the lower, affected by wind pathogen..."[05].
"A woman suffers from menses comes unstoppable as the fish brain, pain and ache in feet, could not move or walk. It is the syndrome deficiency and cold in the lower primordial, also affected by wind pathogen..."[06].
Irregular menstrual cycle of other types.
- Irregular menstrual cycle of other types.
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✵The irregular menstrual cycle of other types are introduced:
✧A woman suffers from irregular menstrual cycle, incessant dripping, menstruation stopped and come again, menstruation as water discharge, deficiency and soft of limbs(softness in hands and arms, feet and legs), no appetite(do not want to take food), hard and pain in the abdomen, could not walk, alternation of advanced menstruation or delayed menstruation, take more sour food.
✧A woman suffers from irregular menstrual cycle, pain before menses, blood stasis and Qi stagnant, pains in abdomen, sometimes pain and stop sometimes, this is the case of Qi and blood excess.
✧A woman suffers from irregular menstrual cycle, fishy smells, pain in the abdomen and waist, hypochondriac pain, this is the case of blood stasis.
✧A woman suffers from irregular menstrual cycle, delayed menstruation after the period, color purple black into blocks, this is the case of Qi stagnation and blood stasis.
✧A woman suffers from irregular menstrual cycle, delayed menstruation after the period, pains, this is the case of blood deficiency and heat pathogens inside.
✧A woman suffers from irregular menstrual cycle, menorrhagia, incessant and unstoppable in a long period, this is the case develops to metrorrhagia.
✧A woman suffers from irregular menstrual cycle, pain in the abdomen and around belly button, sallow complexion(sallow yellow facial complexion), timid heart(feel fear), feeble(lacking in strength), abdominal distention and hypochondriac pain, dizziness and nausea(dizzy head, disgusting and feel like vomiting), low appetite(reduced food intake), metrorrhagia and metrostaxis(uterine bleeding) and morbid leukorrhea, passing blood stool, abdominal mass, this is the case of syndromes related with several abortions and Qi not flow downward.
✧A woman suffers from irregular menstrual cycle, several abortions, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis(uterine bleeding) now and then and unstoppable(incessant), menstruation comes twice in a month, advanced menstruation or delayed menstruation, or metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, turbid urine(cloudy urine) and whites leucorrhoea, lumbar and hip pain, this is the case deficiency of Ren and Chong, with other old syndromes with the uterine.
References:
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- 01.Irregular menstrual cycle: an introduction of irregular periods, chaotic mentruation periods and various types, abnormal menstruation types.
- 02.Nǚ Ke Cuo Yao(the Synopsis of Gynaecology).By 薛己(Xuē Jǐ)[Ming].
- 03.Fù Kē Bǎi Biàn(the Differentiations in Hundred Syndromes of Gynaecology).By 庄履严(Zhuāng Lǚyán)[Ming].
- 04.Nǚ Ke Bǎi Xiào Quán Shū(the Efficacious Complete Book of Gynaecology).By 龚居中(Gōng Jūzhōng)[Ming,1630].
- 05.Ye Shi Nǚ Ke Zhèng Zhì(the Syndromes and Therapeutics of Ye's Gynaecology).By 叶桂(Yè Guì)[1817]
- 06.Fù Kē Bèi Kǎo(the References of Gynecology).By 何应豫(Hé Yīngyù)[1820].
