Irregular Period

Women today have many demands in their day to day life which can all affect the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is linked to hormones and when the hormonal balance is not aligned irregular periods can occur. An irregular cycle can mean sometimes early, or sometimes late and is very unpredictable.

In Chinese Medicine theory, the cycle should come every 29 days give or take a day or two every month. It should flow 3-7 days consist of moderate volume and should have a fresh red colour not purple, black or pale pink. The consistency should not be watery or thick like syrup and without clots.

Common types of irregular menstruation:

1) Early Menstrual Cycle:

The menstruation occurs 7–10 days earlier than usual. If menstruation occurs only 3–5 days earlier than usual or just occurs occasionally, both are still regarded as normal, but the continuous occurrence of early menstruation for 3 months can be diagnosed as Early Menstrual Cycle.

2) Delayed Menstrual Cycle:

The menstruation occurs a week or even later than usual. However, an occasional delayed menstruation is still regarded as normal; if delayed menstruation occurs for consecutive 3 months, it can be diagnosed as Delayed Menstrual Cycle.

3) Irregular Menstrual Cycle:

The menstruation which occurs irregularly and alternatively over 7 days, sometimes earlier and sometimes later than usual is termed Irregular Menstrual Cycle.

There are many possibilities that contribute including:

• Stress
• Poor diet
• Intense exercise
• Perimenopause (close to menopause) / Menopause
• Weight gain or Weight loss
• Pelvic infection
• Uterine polyps
• Fibroids
• Uterine cancer / Uterine abnormalities
• Dysfunctional bleeding
• Hormonal Imbalance (PCOS is a common cause)
• Thyroid malfunction
• Pituitary Tumor (non cancerous benign)
• Contraceptives

Common syndromes of irregular menstrual cycles in Chinese Medicine:

1) Heat in Blood

Early menstrual cycle, or profuse menstruation, marked by bright, or dark red menstrual fluid, or fluid that is thick and sticky, accompanied by a flushed face, restlessness, a dry mouth and excessive thirst, yellow urine, constipation, a red tongue with yellow fur, and a rapid pulse.

2) Deficiency of Qi

Early menstrual cycle, or profuse menstruation, marked by light-coloured and thin menses, poor appetite, loose stools, fatigue, pale tongue with thin and whitish fur, and a thready and weak pulse.

3) Blood Stasis

Delayed menstrual cycle, scanty menstruation, marked by dark-coloured menses with clots, pain in the lower abdomen which is alleviated after the discharge of clots, a dark-coloured tongue and a taut or hesitant pulse.

4) Cold in the Blood

Delayed menstrual cycle, or scanty menses with blood clots, marked by abdominal pain that can be alleviated with warmth, cold limbs, an aversion to cold, a blackish tongue with white fur, and a deep and taut pulse.

5) Stagnation of Qi

Irregular menstrual cycle, or scanty or profuse menstruation, marked by purplish and hesitant flow, dysphoria, a susceptibility to rage, a preference for sighing, hypochondriac distension or pain, breast distension, a thin tongue with white fur , and a taut pulse.

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Chinese Medicine treatment history

Chinese medicine has a long history in the management of irregular period. It a natural approaches to encourage your body to re-establish regular ovulation and to get your hormones back in balance. Although its primary basis rests on empirical evidence, more and more basic researches and clinical trials support its therapeutic modalities in many fields including gynecology. Researches show that acupuncture:

• Reduce stress hormones responsible for irregular periods
• Impact on blood levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinzing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P)
• Accelerate the release of brain and pituitary ß-EP, which inhibits the over-production of GnRH and LH
• Normalize the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, a key process of normal menstruation
• Promote the function of hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) leading to increase in the synthesis and secretion of adrenal steroid hormones, which resets the negative feedback of estrogen to HPOA

In our practice, after the Chinese medicine doctor has made a thorough evaluation of your condition, he or she will create an individualised treatment program such as such as herbal medication, acupuncture, cupping, scrubbing based on your Chinese medicine pattern diagnosis.

We will also give you suggestions for your lifestyle and diet according to your individual case in order to assist in a quick recovery and future prevention.