Blood desiccation amenorrhea

Amenorrhea (absence of menses) due to desiccation of the blood. Distinction is made between vacuity and repletion patterns.

Patterns

Vacuity (虚 xū) patterns arise from loss of blood, early marriage, excessive number of births, or excessive breast-feeding cause damage to the blood that leads to emptiness of the thoroughfare (chōng) and controlling (rèn) vessels. Signs include reduced food intake, lusterless bright-white facial complexion, gradual emaciation, reddening of the cheeks, and sometimes postmeridian heat effusion and steaming bone.

Medicinal therapy: When due to excessive blood loss, treat by supplementing the blood, using Ginseng Provisioning-Nourishing Decoction (人参养荣汤 rén shēn yǎng róng tāng). When due to damage to essence through early marriage, treat by enriching yīn and supplementing the blood, using Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction (六味地黄汤 liù wèi dì huáng tāng). When due to excessive breast feeding, treat by dual supplementation of qì and the blood, with Perfect Major Supplementation Decoction (十全大补汤 shí quán dà bǔ tāng).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, CV, and SP. Select BL-23 (Kidney Transport, 肾俞 shèn shù), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport, 膈俞 gé shù), BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), CV-7 (Yīn Intersection, 阴交 yīn jiāo), CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi), SP-10 (Sea of Blood, 血海 xuè hǎi), SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), and ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ); needle with supplementation and add moxa.

Repletion (实 shí) patterns are usually attributed to heat evil entering the stomach, scorching the blood, and thereby causing liquid depletion and dryness of the thoroughfare (chōng) vessel. They are characterized by a red facial complexion and generalized heat, dry mouth and desire for cool drinks, dry stool, and yellow urine.

Medicinal therapy: Drain stomach heat and regulate the blood vessels using Jade Candle Powder (玉烛散 yù zhú sǎn).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on ST, SP, and LI. Select ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), ST-44 (Inner Court, 内庭 nèi tíng), SP-10 (Sea of Blood, 血海 xuè hǎi), SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), and KI-2 (Blazing Valley, 然谷 rán gǔ); needle with drainage.