Treatment of Dysmenorrhea due to Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis

Xiao Meng has had dysmenorrhea since college, and it has lasted for more than two years. However, in the past two months, the symptoms have been getting worse.

About 10 days before her period, Xiao Meng began to experience swelling and lumps in her breasts and lower abdominal pain. After her period came, the symptoms of breast pain would gradually ease, but the lower abdominal pain would persist and worsen.

The menstrual cramps two months ago were particularly severe. Xiao Meng had no choice but to go to the hospital on the second day of her menstrual cramps, which marked the beginning of her two-month battle with dysmenorrhea. The doctor carefully asked Xiao Meng about her symptoms and sorted them out:

The pain in the lower abdomen is unbearable, resistant to pressure, and as painful as a needle prick. The menstrual volume is scanty, dark purple in color with blood clots, and the menstrual flow is not smooth. After the blood clots are removed, the pain in the lower abdomen may be relieved, and is accompanied by upset mood, fullness and discomfort in the chest and flanks, depression, greenish-yellow complexion, dark tongue with a thin white coating, and a deep and stringy pulse.

Diagnosis: The doctor believes that Xiao Meng suffers from dysmenorrhea caused by liver qi stagnation, qi stagnation and blood stasis, and menstrual obstruction. The treatment should start with soothing the liver and regulating qi, removing blood stasis and relieving pain. The prescription is as follows:

Chinese Angelica, Chuanxiong, Corydalis, Toosendan, Bupleurum, Raw Pollen (wrapped and decocted), Aconiti Radix Notopterygii, Cyperus, Leonurus japonicus. Decoction in water, 4 doses in total.

After taking 4 doses of Chinese medicine, Xiao Meng felt that her abdominal pain was relieved. Before her second menstrual period, Xiao Meng experienced breast swelling, chest and flank distension, abdominal distension and pain again, so she came for a follow-up visit. Chinese medicine examination showed: dark red tongue with thin white fur, deep and stringy pulse. The doctor adjusted the prescription to soothe the liver and regulate qi, and activate blood circulation and menstruation, and prescribed the following:

Bupleurum, Chuanxiong, Chinese Angelica, White Peony, Toosendan, Malt, Citrus aurantium, Cyperus, Corydalis, Citrus aurantium. Decoction in water, 1 dose per day, 5 doses in total.

After taking 5 doses of medicine, her menstruation came that month. At this time, Xiao Meng's breast pain and chest and flank distension symptoms had disappeared, and the lower abdominal pain was much less than before. However, she still felt a cold lower abdomen, liked heat and was afraid of cold, and there were blood clots in her menstrual blood. The doctor adjusted the medication plan again, starting with warming the meridians and dispelling cold, promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation:

Roasted ginger, fried fennel, Chuanxiong, Corydalis, red peony root, motherwort, angelica, cinnamon, and evodia. Decoction in water, 3 doses in total. After 3 doses of decoction, Xiao Meng no longer felt abdominal pain.

Xiao Meng's treatment came to an end, until her menstruation came again. Xiao Meng was delighted to find that the dysmenorrhea that had troubled her for more than two years had disappeared.