Traditional Chinese Medicine and Dysmenorrhea

Women's Health · ICD-10 N94.6

Dysmenorrhea (痛经, ICD-10 N94.6) is lower-abdominal pain tied to the menstrual cycle — common and often disruptive to daily life. TCM views it through impaired circulation or imbalance and aims to care for and ease the symptoms.

The TCM perspective

TCM sees period pain as often arising from Cold Stagnation in the uterus, Blood Stasis, Liver Qi Stagnation, or deficiency of Qi and Blood. Acupuncture and moxibustion over the lower abdomen aim to support circulation and warmth to ease pain. Results vary from person to person.

TCM patterns

• Cold Stagnation in Uterus — Often cold-type pain that eases with a warm compress, with dark clots.
• Blood Stasis — Often pain in a fixed spot, worse on the first days, with clots.
• Liver Qi Stagnation — Often pain with mood swings and chest tightness before the period.
• Qi and Blood Deficiency — Often a dull ache toward the end of the cycle, with fatigue.

General self-care

• Apply a warm compress to the lower abdomen and keep the body warm during your period.
• Avoid very cold food and drinks before and during menstruation.
• Rest well and do gentle movement such as walking or stretching.
• Practice relaxation and manage stress.
• Sip warm drinks such as ginger tea for comfort.

When to consult a doctor

• If pain is severe enough to disrupt daily life or does not respond to basic care, see a gynecologist.
• If period pain changes or worsens unusually, investigate causes such as endometriosis.
• Seek medical care for abnormal bleeding or accompanying fever.

This content is provided for general knowledge only. It is not individual medical advice and does not guarantee any result. Appropriate care should follow an assessment by a licensed TCM practitioner. For severe or emergency symptoms, see a doctor or call 1669.

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