Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)

Primary dysmenorrhea usually start with the first period of a womans life and is thought to be the result of excessive prostaglandin production. It is often associated with nausea, vomiting, and faintness. Secondary dysmenorrhea usually effects older patients and the pain precedes menstruation. It is thought to be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, fibroids, and the presence of an IUD (intrauterine device). Chinese Medicine Differentiation and Treatment Qi and Blood stagnation Principle of Treatment: regulate Qi, promote circulation of blood, remove Stasis Acupuncture points – sedate, Moxa, foot Jueyin, Liver 3, 8, Spleen 6, Ren 6 - hypochondriac/chest/breast distension/pain- SJ 5, 6, Bladder 18 - severe low abdominal pain- Bladder 32 - nausea, vomiting, Pericardium 6, Stomach 36 Damp-Cold stagnation Principle of Treatment: disperse Cold, eliminate Damp, warm Jing Acupuncture points – Ren, foot Taiyin, Ren 3 and Stomach 28 (water problems, needle and Moxa), Spleen 6, 8 - Kidney deficiency- Bladder 23, Ren 4 - bodyaches- Bladder 11, 23 Liver Qi Stagnation with Low Jiao Damp/Heat Principle of Treatment: clear Heat and Damp, regulate Liver Qi Acupuncture points– foot Taiyin, Jueyin, Liver 3 and Spleen 6, Ren 3 and Bladder 32 - Low abdominal burning- Liver 8 - Fire- Liver 2 (more large clots) Qi Blood deficiency Acupuncture points– Ren, foot Taiyin, Ren 6, Bladder 20, Spleen 6, Stomach 36, Zi Gong - deficient Cold- Ren 4, Stomach 30, Moxa Alternative Treatment Methods auricular- internal reproductive organs, sympathetic, KI, LR, Spleen 7 star- medium stimulation, lower abdominal area injection- Dang Gui 0.5ml, Hong Hua 0.1ml