DYSmenorrhea Flashcards
When does pain occur?
before, during, after
Where is the pain?
lower abdomen, sacral region, sometimes extended to legs
Vessels, Organ involved with painful periods
Liver, Chong Mai, Ren Mai
What is essential for normal, pain-free periods?
Proper movement of LV Qi and LV Blood
Most important pathological condition?
Stagnation
4 Phases of menstrual cycle
- pre-menstrual
- menstrual
- post-menstrual
- mid-cycle
Pre-menstrual
Yang Qi rises => LV Qi mobilizes=> moves LV BL
Luteal Phase
Menstrual
LV Qi flows free => Blood is moving
Fall in both Estrogen & Progesterone
Necrosis of layers of endometrium
Post-menstrual
BL and Yin are empty => Chong and Ren depleted
Folicular Phase
Estrogen level rise d/t FSH
Mid-cycle
Blood and Yin fill up in Chong and Ren
OVULATORY Phase
Ovum released => corpus luteum develops from LH
What causes painful periods?
- Emotional Strain
- Cold and Damp
- Overwork
- Chronic Illness
- XS sex
- Childbirth
Important factor leading to LV Qi stag
Emotional Strain
Most vulnerable post menses, exposure in puberty
Cold & Damp
Qi & Blood def, Chong, Ren malnourished
Overwork or Chronic Illness
Painful periods pathology: (8)
- Stagnation of Qi
- Blood Stasis
- Stagnation of cold (empty or full)
- Damp-Heat (with blood
- Stagnant LV Qi into Fire
- Qi and Blood def.
- Yang and Blood def.
- KD and LV Yin def.
What needs to be investigated for the diagnosis of painful periods?
Time of onset Pressure Heat-Cold Character of Pain Location of Pain Cycle
Pain before and during period indicates
Full type
Pain after the period
Empty type
Pain worse with pressure
XS
Pain better with pressure
DEF
If aggravated by HEAT means
Blood HEAT
Character of Pain
Q/B stasis? HEAT? Def?
Location of Pain both side, lower ABD means
LV
Location of Pain center of lower ABD
KD
Location of Pain @ sacrum
KD
If cycle is late, dark blood, clots
Blood Stasis
period w/small dark clots
Cold
period short, heavy, bright red
Blood Heat
Lower abdm. pain during or before; breast and abdm. distention; hesitant start; dark blood, no clots; PMS tension, irritability
T: normal, slightly red on sides; pale if blood deficient
P: Choppy or wiry
Stagnation of Qi
Treatment Principle for Qi Stagnation
Move Q/B, eliminate stagnation, alleviate pain
Point selection for Qi Stagnation
LIV 3, CV 6, GB 34, SP 8, ST 29, SP 10, SP 6,
SP 4/PC 6, SP 14
Intense stabbing pain before or during; dark blood, large clots; mental restlessness; pain relieved by passing clots
T: Purple
P: Wiry
Blood Stasis
Treatment Principle for Blood Stasis
Invigorate Blood, eliminate stasis, stop pain
Point selection for Blood Stasis
LIV 3, CV 6, GB 34, SP 8, SP 10, SP 6,
SP 4/PC 6, BL 17, KD 14, ST 25
Lower abdm. pain before of after; pain central, relieved by heat; scanty, bright red blood, small dark clots; feeling cold; sore back
T: pale-bluish or bluish-purple
P: deep and choppy, or deep and wiry
Stagnation of Cold
Treatment Principle for Stagnation of Cold
Warm the Uterus, expel Cold, invigorate Blood
Point selection for Stagnation of Cold
LU 7/KD 6, CV 4, CV 6, ST 29, SP 8, SP 6, ST 36, ST 28
Hypogastric pain before, sometimes mid-cycle, burning sensation extending to sacrum, feeling of heat; red blood, small clots; vaginal discharge; scanty, dark urine; thirst; mental restlessness
T: red, sticky yellow coat
P: slippery
Damp Heat
Treatment Principle for Damp Heat
Clear heat, resolve Damp, eliminate stasis
Point selection for Damp Heat
SP 9, SP 6, LU 7/KD 6, CV 3, ST 28, BL 32, BL 22, CV 9, LI 11, SP 10, KD 2, LIV 3
Abdm. Pain before or during; dark blood; heavy period; irritability, outbursts of anger; thirst; feeling heat; dry stools.
T: red with yellow coat, redder on sides
P: rapid, wiry
Stagnant Liver Qi changing into HEAT
Treatment Principle for Stagn LV Qi => Heat
Clear heat, pacify Liver, eliminate stagnation, stop pain
Point selection for Stagn LV Qi => Heat
LIV 3, LIV 2, LIV 14, CV 6, CV 4, KD 14, SP 10,
LI 11, TW 6, GB 34
Dull hypogastric pain at end or after; dragging sensation in lower abdm.; pressure, massage better; scanty bleeding; pale complexion; tired; slight dizzy; loose stools
T: pale
P: choppy
Qi and Blood def.
Treatment Principle for Qi/Blood def.
Tonify Qi, strengthen Spleen, nourish Blood
Point selection for Qi/Blood def.
CV 4, CV 6, ST 36, SP 6, SP 8, BL 20, SP 10, BL 54, BL 32
Dull abdm. pain; scanty, pale blood; pressure, heat better; dull h/a; blurred vision; feeling cold; depression; dizzy
T: pale and swollen
P: fine and deep
Yang and Blood def.
Treatment Principle for Yang and Blood def.
Warm the Yang, nourish Blood, strengthen the center, stop pain
Point selection for Yang and Blood def.
BL 20, CV 12, ST 36, SP 6, CV 4, LIV 8,
LU 7/KD 6, BL 54, BL 32
Dull hypogastric pain end or after; sore back; dizzy; scanty bleeding; pressure and massage better; tinnitus; blurred vision; exhaustion;
T: red without coat
P: floating, empty
Kidney and Liver Yin def.
Treatment Principle for Kidney and Liver Yin def.
Nourish Yin, benefit Kidneys, nourish Liver
Point selection for Kidney and Liver Yin def.
BL 23, BL 18, CV 4, SP 6, KD 3, ST 36, LU7/KD 6, BL 54, BL 32
Ancient Acupuncture RX for Painful Periods
- CV4 - cold in Penetration Vessel
- ST25, ST27
- ST28 - distention, fullness, pain in lower ABD, back pain, palpable masses, cold
- PC5
- KD6, ST44, LI4, SP6
- KD6, ST44, LI4, GB35
