Amenorrhea is classified into primary and secondary types. Primary amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation by age 18. Secondary amenorrhea occurs when menstruation ceases for over three months after menarche, excluding factors such as pregnancy, lactation, or menopause.Western medicine classifies it based on pathological location: uterine, ovarian, pituitary, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and amenorrhea caused by systemic diseases. Clinical manifestations are complex and vary according to the nature of the pathology. Traditional Chinese medicine terms this condition "menstrual cessation," "female yin deficiency," or "interruption of menstrual flow."
Diagnostic Criteria
This condition is diagnosed in individuals over 18 years old who have never menstruated.However, congenital anomalies of the reproductive system must be ruled out. In women with a history of regular menstruation, cessation for three months or longer also warrants this diagnosis.
Gua Sha Method
Select Dazhui (GV14), Jianjing (GB21), Gaohuang (BL15), and Shentang (BL19). Combine with scraping Qihai (CV6) to Guanyuan (CV4), Xuehai (SP10), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) five times each.For blood deficiency, add scraping of the Spleen Shu (BL20), Zhangmen (LR14), and Zusanli (ST36) points. For blood stasis, add scraping of the Liver Shu (BL18) and Taichong (LR3) points. Apply firm scraping to the primary points and Liver Shu/Taichong areas for about 3 minutes; use light scraping on other meridian points for 3–5 minutes.
Four post-scraping precautions:
Precaution 1:Gua Sha opens sweat pores to expel pathogenic factors, consuming bodily fluids. Therefore, drink two cups of warm water and rest for at least one hour after treatment.
Precaution 2: Avoid exposure to drafts from fans or other air currents after treatment to prevent pathogenic wind from entering through dilated pores.
Precaution 3: Avoid exposure to wind and cold until the skin pores have closed and returned to their normal state. Bathing should be postponed for approximately 12 hours.
Precaution 4: For patients with complex or critical conditions, gua sha should be combined with other treatments, such as medication, to prevent delaying proper care.
Gua Sha disperses superficial stagnation, while cupping addresses deeper issues. Thus, they complement each other. When treating multiple meridians simultaneously, both techniques can be applied concurrently. I cherish traditional Chinese medicine and hope you do too—let us together embrace China's heritage and national treasures.