Amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menstruation in women over the age of 18 who have not yet experienced menarche, or the sudden cessation of menstrual cycles for more than 3 months (excluding pregnancy, lactation, and menopause). Clinically, it is mainly manifested by scanty and light red menstrual blood, gradually leading to amenorrhea, distending pain in the chest and ribs, abdominal pain that worsens with pressure, or a dull complexion, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and cold intolerance. The causes of amenorrhea are primarily due to the body's qi and blood being out of balance, with both deficiency and excess aspects. The deficiency is due to the body's qi and blood being insufficient and weak, while the excess is due to pathogenic factors obstructing the flow of qi and blood in the Chong and Ren meridians, preventing menstrual blood from flowing. The etiology of amenorrhea is complex, with both congenital and acquired factors, which can develop from irregular menstruation or be caused by other diseases.
Liver and Kidney Deficiency Type: Menarche occurs later, with scanty and light red menstrual blood, gradually leading to amenorrhea, physically weak, with sore waist and soft legs, dizziness, and tinnitus; the tongue is red, and the pulse is thin and weak.
Qi and Blood Deficiency Type: Menstrual periods are delayed, with scanty and light-colored blood, gradually leading to amenorrhea, a dull complexion, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and pale lips and nails; the pulse is thin and weak.
Yin Deficiency and Blood Dryness Type: Amenorrhea, restlessness and heat in the hands and feet, night sweats, or coughing up blood; the tongue is red, with little coating, and the pulse is thin and rapid.
Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Type: Amenorrhea, chest and rib-side distending pain, lower abdominal pain that worsens with pressure; the tongue is dark red, with stasis spots, and the pulse is thin and choppy.
Cold-Dampness Stagnation Type: Menstrual cycle is delayed, gradually leading to cessation, with chest and rib-side fullness, fatigue, cold intolerance, profuse white vaginal discharge, and a greasy mouth with excessive phlegm; the tongue coating is white and greasy, and the pulse is slippery.
Starting a week before menstruation for conditioning, it is recommended to do it once a day, each time selecting 2 to 3 acupoints, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes, taking turns to apply moxibustion. Each menstrual cycle constitutes one course of treatment, and it should be continuously conditioned for three courses. (If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
1. Cease moxibustion during menstruation. 2. For secondary amenorrhea, identify the cause and take corresponding conditioning measures, pay attention to daily health preservation and menstrual care.