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Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
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PMS refers to the symptoms that arrive around a week before the period, including but not limited to weight gain, bloating in the lower abdomen and breasts, increase in appetite, emotional ups and downs, anxiety, and depression. Around 50 to 80% of women experience PMS in varying degrees. TCM medication can alleviate related symptoms, but for more serious cases, acupuncture and other treatment methods would also be used.
TCM PMS Classification
Liver Qi Stagnation
Symptoms: Emotional fluctuations before and after menstruation, breast distension, and pain, noticeable tension or throbbing pain on both sides of the head. Appetite may increase significantly before menstruation but drop completely once menstruation starts. This condition is attributed to liver Qi stagnation, causing impaired Qi flow.
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency
Symptoms: Noticeable premenstrual edema, with significant swelling in the lower abdomen and both legs feeling heavy and swollen. Premenstrual weight gain due to water retention, but subsides once menstruation starts. In cases where patients undergo ovarian stimulation procedures, this condition may become more pronounced, causing severe abdominal swelling and pain that may necessitate a slightly bent posture when walking. The edema improves once menstruation begins.
Qi and Blood Stagnation
Symptoms: Overlapping with the Qi stagnation, but with more pronounced pain. Menstrual blood clots are typically larger in size and quantity, and pain often includes stabbing sensations in the lower abdomen and head. Dysmenorrhea may also cause stabbing pain, most typically intense abdominal pain that eases somewhat when clots are passed. Menstrual blood tends to be darker.
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Symptoms: Basal body temperature fails to rise appropriately before menstruation. Patients generally feel colder and have cold hands and feet. Fatigue often leads to a headache. Energy levels drop significantly before and during menstruation, leading to a strong desire to lie down. Menstrual blood is typically pale.
Daily reminders:
Liver Qi Stagnation
TCM will present medications that will soothe and regulate energy throughout the body. Those with this condition should focus on alleviating stress, exercise more, and consume more food with natural herbs like curry and braised dishes.
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency
TCM often uses the herbs warming Yang and disinhibiting water to alleviate edema in the legs and abdomen since abdomen bloating can hinder daily activities. Those with this condition should consume less cold beverages, be in the sun more, and increase movement in the lower body. Ginger, ginger soup, ginger candy, and ginger strips can all be consumed instead of dry ginger.
Qi and Blood Stagnation
In addition to rectifying-qi herbs, Chinese medicine should include blood-activating and stasis-dissolving herbs. Pain is caused by blockage, and once the blockage is cleared, the pain will significantly improve. Many patients have reported that Chinese medicine can act like painkillers. While taking painkillers can sometimes cause a feeling of contraction, Chinese medicine helps menstrual flow circulate smoothly with minimal discomfort. Regular exercise is recommended to improve energy and blood circulation, and applying heat pads can usually alleviate pain.
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Getting sufficient sleep is crucial, and it is recommended to consume foods that are high in nutrition. For women with anemia, it is best to consume foods that are high in iron, like red meat, livers, raisins, spinach, broccoli, seaweed, etc. It is best to maintain a healthy diet even when the menstrual cycle leaves.
Aside from adequate nutrition, it is also best to rest and exercise moderately, get sufficient sleep, avoid staying up late, and be in a good mood.