How to Supplement for Irregular Menstruation? The fundamental principle for women's supplementation is nourishing yin and blood. Although causes of menstrual irregularities vary, the most common root lies in qi and blood deficiency, specifically insufficient yin and blood. Thus, supplementation for menstrual disorders should prioritize nourishing yin and blood. How to Prevent Irregular Menstruation I.Ancient wisdom strictly forbade washing hair during menstruation, primarily because women's resistance is weakened during this period, making them susceptible to wind pathogens (colds). With the invention of modern hair dryers, it is acceptable to wash hair as long as it is thoroughly dried afterward and one waits until hair is completely dry before going to bed.
II. Avoid swimming and baths, as well as wading in water or getting caught in the rain, as these may lead to cold dampness retention and impaired blood circulation. Abstain from sexual intercourse (this point remains controversial today).
III. Maintain body warmth during menstruation. Avoid raw or cold foods (including cold salads, watermelon, coconut juice, and items straight from the refrigerator or chilled beverages), vinegar, and cold-natured foods like crabs and snails. These may cause sudden cessation of flow, prolonged spotting, or increased pain.
IV. Avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous exercise to prevent straining the lower abdomen, which may lead to excessive or prolonged bleeding. However, moderate, gentle exercise can relax muscles, promote blood circulation, prevent fluid retention, and stimulate the brain to release endorphins (natural opiates that induce a sense of well-being throughout the body).
5. Avoid smoking and beverages containing alcohol or caffeine. Alcohol exacerbates low mood, headaches, and fatigue while triggering sugar cravings; caffeine intensifies breast tenderness, anxiety, and irritability.Limit salt (to prevent water retention), red meat (animal fats increase estrogen levels, potentially contributing to PMS), reduce dairy intake (lactose hinders magnesium absorption), cut back on all sugars (sweets trigger anxiety and mood swings, cause water retention, and crucially, lead to weight gain), processed foods, junk food, and fast food.
Regulating Irregular Menstruation by Phase:
Premature Menstruation:
Refers to menstruation occurring 6–7 days or more earlier than expected each month, or even twice monthly, also known as "early menstruation."Individuals with qi and blood deficiency often experience heavy flow with pale red, thin, watery blood, fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, a sensation of emptiness and heaviness in the lower abdomen, dull complexion, pale tongue, and weak pulse.During winter, simultaneously nourish qi and blood. After the Start of Winter, prepare: 1 black-boned chicken, 9g each of Angelica sinensis (Danggui), Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), and Poria cocos (Fuling). Clean the chicken, stuff the herbs into its cavity, sew it closed, and simmer in an earthenware pot until tender. Remove the herbs. Season, consume the meat and soup in two servings. Take one dose daily before menstruation, totaling 3–5 doses per cycle.
Delayed Menstruation:
Refers to cycles consistently delayed by 6–7 days or more, or occurring only every 40–50 days, also termed "menstrual delay."Blood deficiency commonly presents with delayed menstruation, scant pale flow, empty pain in the lower abdomen, physical weakness, pale complexion, dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, insomnia, aching joints, dry skin, pale tongue with sparse coating, and a fine, weak pulse. Winter is the optimal season for blood tonification and menstrual regulation. Use 500g lamb, 25g each of Astragalus, Codonopsis, and Angelica, plus 50g ginger.Wash and cut the lamb and ginger into chunks. Wrap the herbs in cheesecloth. Place all ingredients in a clay pot with sufficient water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Strain out the herbs, season to taste, and consume. Take once daily for 3–5 consecutive days after each menstrual period during winter.
Menorrhagia:
Refers to excessive menstrual flow that persists beyond the normal duration. Those with qi deficiency often exhibit pale red menstrual blood, thin consistency, a sensation of emptiness and heaviness in the lower abdomen, fatigue, dull complexion, palpitations, shortness of breath, reluctance to speak, a pale red tongue with a thin white coating, and a weak pulse.Treatment should focus on tonifying qi, securing blood, strengthening the spleen, and calming the heart. Use 1 old hen, 10g astragalus, and 15g mugwort leaves. Clean and cut the hen into pieces. Steam or simmer with astragalus and mugwort leaves (wrapped in cloth) to make soup. Consume in 2–3 servings. During winter menstruation, take 2–3 doses consecutively.
Scanty Menstruation:
Refers to light menstrual flow lasting only 1-2 days or ceasing after spotting. Characterized by pale red blood, dull complexion, dry rough skin, dizziness, palpitations with insomnia, empty pain in the lower abdomen, cold hands and feet, pale tongue, and a weak, fine pulse. Typically indicates blood deficiency.Replenish qi and nourish blood to support the Chong and Ren vessels. Prepare a stew with 9–15g dried chicken blood vine, 10 jujubes, and 200g lean pork. During winter, take one dose daily for 5 consecutive days before each menstrual cycle.
Amenorrhea:
Refers to cessation of menstruation, accompanied by pale or sallow complexion, fatigue, dizziness, palpitations with shortness of breath, restlessness with insomnia, limb weakness, pale tongue, and deep, fine, weak pulse.Require simultaneous tonification of qi and blood, nourishing blood to regulate menstruation. Use 1 cuttlefish (squid), approx. 200–300g, and 6g peach kernels. Wash and cut cuttlefish into pieces, boil with peach kernels. Consume cuttlefish and drink broth. Once daily for 5–6 consecutive days monthly. Alternatively, use 30g astragalus,30g goji berries, and 1 squab. Clean the squab, wrap the astragalus in cloth, combine with goji berries, place in a double boiler with adequate water, and steam until tender. Season and consume the broth with the squab meat. Generally taken every other day, with 4–5 consecutive monthly sessions in winter.