Which Herbs for 13 year old girl with severe menstruation problems (dysmenorrhea)

Comment by Chad J. Dupuis, L.Ac.

Could you describe her tongue and pulse and/or include a picture of her tongue so we can help clarify the diagnosis? Generally speaking Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan would be where I would start possibly with some other formulas depending on the diagnosis. A strong attraction to cold drinks is usually heat so you have to very careful assuming there is are strong deficiencies, particularly in someone so young. But the tongue would be helpful in figuring this out.

You should be able to resolve this condition without birth control. It is great when women come so young because it is easier to resolve these conditions at a younger age and then they avoid many problems later in life.

Comment by Archived User

Hi Matty,

Shepherd&#39s purse was recommended to me for both my teenage daughters menstrual cramps. And while constitutionally they are both different, this herb (I don&#39t think this is used in Chinese Medicine) was very effective in treating them both.

1 T Shepherds purse per 1 cup of boiled water - make it like a tea - let it steep and cool.

Drink 1 cup everyday for 5 days prior to her period

Good luck.

Comment by Archived User

Thank you for replying.

Her desire for cold drinks is more a preferation and sometimes changed in liking hot milk.

Her tongue: (looks paler in real then at the picture)

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Comment by Archived User

Thanks for submitting a picture of the tongue! That&#39s really helpful. I don&#39t see any indicationsof heat in the tongue. I think the reccomendation of Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan is a good one. I would also suggest looking at her diet. Are there any foods that seem to make symptoms worse? How is her digestion,and her stools? You might also want to try Mayan Abdominal Massage if you can find a practitioner in your area. I have seen it halp a lot of cases like this one. I would also reccomend increased consumption of cruciferous vegetables. They contain DIM (Diindolymethane) which can help to metabolize excess estrogen. And maybe consider cutting out dairy products to see if that helps. Good Luck!

Comment by Chad J. Dupuis, L.Ac.

There are many indications of heat in the tongue - all the red papules along the sides and the tip - liver, lungs and heart. Also the horizontal cracks indicate some aspect of yin deficiency/heat damage. Jia wei xiao yao wan as I stated earlier would probably be the best place to start.

Does she also have sleep problems? - perhaps particularly trouble falling asleep? If so, you may also consider working in a moderate amount of tian wan bu xin wan based on the tongue.

Comment by Archived User

Oeps, opposit reactions:

Chad Dupuis:"There are many indications of heat in the tongue - all the red papules along the sides and the tip - liver, lungs and heart. Also the horizontal cracks indicate some aspect of yin deficiency/heat damage. "

Sheri: " I don&#39t see any indicationsof heat in the tongue. I think the reccomendation of Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan is a good one."

I agree with Chad. I do see heat / yin cracks too. The heart showing could also be more emotional related. No sleeping troubles.

And Chris CD, thanks for the tip "Shepherd&#39s purse"... I can&#39t find it here in the Netherlands.

Any segestions to the acupuncture treatment?

GR

I wish you joyfull being.

Matty

Comment by Chad J. Dupuis, L.Ac.

That&#39s quite correct Matty. I replied in direct response to Sheri&#39s post that had an opinion regarding the tongue which I disagree with.

If the sleep isn&#39t effected by the heat, then it&#39s probably mild and working on the liver stagnation/heat should lead to a good outcome. As far as points, that&#39s always a difficult one because there are so many styles. Besides points you are probably already using I would consider working on GB 13 on the right side for the frontal lobe activity/anxiety, HT 7 would also be useful. I use that point quite often with good effect for things in the anxiety/depression realm.

If you can describe the points you are using during the treatments, I may be able to offer more opinions on point selection.