Classification of Amenorrhea and Lactation Syndrome in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Amenorrhea and galactorrhea syndrome is often related to pituitary lesions, the effects of drugs (such as long-term use of reserpine, chlorpromazine, morphine, oral contraceptives, etc.), postpartum galactorrhea, primary hypothyroidism and other factors. Traditional Chinese medicine divides amenorrhea and galactorrhea syndrome into four types according to the cause: liver and kidney deficiency, qi and blood deficiency, yin deficiency and stomach dryness, and liver depression and qi reversal.

Liver and kidney deficiency

The patient has liver and kidney deficiency, and due to sexual intercourse, childbirth, excessive blood loss, long-term breastfeeding and other reasons, the liver and kidney are increasingly deficient in essence and blood, the Du meridian is empty, the Chong and Ren meridians are not nourished, and the upper part is unable to retain milk, and the lower part is unable to nourish the uterus, causing amenorrhea and galactorrhea syndrome.

Qi and blood deficiency type

The patient has a weak spleen and weak qi, and her yin blood is depleted during delivery. Due to long-term breastfeeding, she suffers from both qi and blood deficiency, is unable to retain milk, and cannot nourish the uterus and blood vessels. The blood sea cannot be filled, leading to amenorrhea and galactorrhea syndrome.

Yin deficiency and dry stomach type

The patient has yin deficiency and internal dryness, insufficient stomach yin, and postpartum blood loss, breastfeeding, etc. further deplete yin essence. Yin deficiency generates internal heat, and the breast belongs to the Yangming stomach meridian. Heat forces the Yangming meridian and causes milk to overflow. Yin essence deficiency causes Chong and Ren meridians to lose nourishment, resulting in amenorrhea and lactation syndrome.

Liver depression and qi reversal type

The patient's emotional frustration leads to liver qi stagnation, and the liver loses its ability to disperse and release qi, which results in pathological changes in the meridians. The nipple belongs to the liver, and if liver qi rises, it will cause milk overflow; if liver qi stagnates, blood vessels will be blocked, leading to amenorrhea and lactation syndrome.