The main menstrual disorders dealt with by a gynaecologist or TCM practitioner are:

Amenorrhea (no periods)

Bleeding between periods

Dysmenorrhea (painful period)

Early Periods

Heavy Periods

Irregular Periods

Late Periods

Metrorrhagia

Premenstrual Syndrome

Prolonged Periods

Scanty Periods

Amenorrhea is the absence of a menstrual period with the exception of childhood, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause.

Bleeding between periods - around ovulation (3-5 days) there is spotting or bleeding for 2-3 days which is scanty but significant. This can last for 2-3 days and generally is recurring. Can have low back soreness, pain in lower abdomen over the ovaries, sticky egg-white discharge or leukorrhea.

Dysmenorrhea (painful period) -recurring pain in lower abdomen 1-2 days before, during, or after period. Pain can radiate to whole abdomen, lower back, & anal/genital area (Endometriosis can have a feeling of downward pulling on the anus). The pain generally diminishes after period ends. The pain can be stabbing, burning, squeezing, dull, down-bearing, & in severe cases can cause nausea, vomiting, cold sweating, & fainting. This seems to happen mostly in younger women.

Early Periods - Menstruating 7 days early for 3 months consecutive. May also bleed between periods (mid-cycle) – not a true period.

Heavy Periods - Amount of menstrual bleeding is significantly increased during period to around or over 100 ml/day (normal 30-80ml). Although, there may be a regular, early, or late cycle.

Colour – pale, dark, or purple red.

Consistency – thick sticky, or, thin, or clotted.

Sometimes there may be pain.

Irregular Periods - Menstruation is 7 days or more early, or 7 days or more late for 3 months consecutively.

Late Periods – Menstruation delays for 35 days or more 3 months consecutively, more common during menarche and menopause. Pregnancy is consideration.

Metrorrhagia - Irregular uterine bleeding between patients cycle. Large amount of blood, or spotting for long periods of time.

Blood will come suddenly in large quantities or in small quantities but for a long duration. Blood will be fresh red, dark red, or bright red and can be either thin or thick with possible clots and a possible odour.

Premenstrual Syndrome - (PMS, also called Premenstrual stress, Premenstrual tension, PMT) is stress which is a physical symptom prior to the onset of menstruation.

PMS is exceedingly common, occurring in 75% of women of reproductive age during their lifetime. A more severe form of PMS is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This occurs in about 5% of women. Both are characterized by symptoms of mood swings, depression, anxiety and irritability that occur prior to menses, usually in the two week period between ovulation and menses. It is often accompanied by physical symptoms of abdominal bloating and cramping.

Diagnosis of PMDD requires a persistence of symptoms for several menstrual cycles, and differentiation from major depression and anxiety disorders.

Treatment usually begins with lifestyle modification. Reducing caffeine, sugar and sodium intake may help. Supplements of vitamin B6 and calcium carbonate have been shown to help reduce symptoms. Vitamin B6 should be taken in doses of 50 to 100 micrograms per day. Calcium carbonate should be taken in doses of 1200 milligrams a day. Exercise will help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Keeping a symptom diary will help cue sufferers to exacerbating and relieving strategies.

Prolonged Periods - Bleed for more than 7 days

Scanty Periods - amount of blood quite small or spotting, only 1-3 days of bleeding. Generally starts @ menarche (Menarche refers to the first menstrual period, or first menstrual bleeding, as a girl's body progresses through the changes of puberty). Certain birth control methods can cause this. WATCH for possible early pregnancy.

For all above pathological conditions related to mestrual disorders Traditional Chinese Medicine is very effective in using acupuncture, Chinese herbs and related therapies.