Which Herbs for 13 year old girl with severe menstruation problems (dysmenorrhea)
forum post
Which Herbs for 13 year old girl with severe menstruation problems (dysmenorrhea)
Published on 03-04-2013
"mattymandersloo" - this is their first post.
Looking for the most complete combination of herbs and supplements to releif the painfull starting of the menstrual cycle of a young girl.
The girl is big, maybe slightly (but surely not heavy) overweighted. 13 years old.
Her menses started half a year ago and are becoming more painfull each time. The actual ovulaton might be starting at this time now. Two months ago the complain was mailnly abdominal pain before and during menses with slight headdaches. One month ago she suffered of what appears to have been a migraine-attack-like headdache during menses. This months menstruaton pain occured during and 1-2 days after menstruation: a dull pain in lower and upper abdomen with occacional havey cramps.
She has a pale, dull complexion and feels tiered (therefor I asume blooddeficiency (& anaemi). Liver / Kidney deficiency may be the case. She had hormonal injections to delay the menses in her 10-11 year of age to make sure her growth would go on to an acceptable hight because her womanly body forms predicted an early start of menstruation and therefor an early stop in growing. Warming her belly is giving a little, temporally releif during painfull menses but she seems to like cold drinks as well and is sensitive for (sun)light and heat. Her skin shows bumser just before and during menses. Her moodswings just before and during menses are serious; starting with anger, going through depression and coming out inspired as before.
Western medical advise is to use supplements wich include iron, magnesium, copper, cobalt, manganese, vitamin C. (and starting birthcontrollpils but she doesnt want that)
Acupuncture is woking but she is very sensitive and dislikes the needles.
I'm trying to find the best herbal solution for her but got lost....
What do you think are the best and required herbs, for this 13 year old girl to 1) ease the pain 2) nourish the blood 3)ease the moodswings 4) nourish the skin 5) regulate the menses/ovulation/cycle
Thank You, regards
Matty Mandersloot
This post has the following associations:
Formulas: jia wei xiao yao wan
Comments / Discussions:
comment by "ChadD" (acupuncturist)
on Mar 2013
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.
top Login/Comment
comment by "ChrisCJ"
on Mar 2013
Hi Matty,
Shepherd's purse was recommended to me for both my teenage daughters menstrual cramps. And while constitutionally they are both different, this herb (I don't 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.
top Login/Comment
comment by "Matty" (acupuncturist)
on Mar 2013
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)
<img alt="javascript:void(0)" src="/sites/" style="width: 309px; height: 500px; "/>
top Login/Comment
comment by "Sherisherbs"
on Apr 2014
Thanks for submitting a picture of the tongue! That's really helpful. I don't 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!
top Login/Comment
comment by "ChadD" (acupuncturist)
on Apr 2014
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.
top Login/Comment
comment by "Matty" (acupuncturist)
on Apr 2014
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't 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's purse"... I can't find it here in the Netherlands.
Any segestions to the acupuncture treatment?
GR
I wish you joyfull being.
Matty
top Login/Comment
comment by "ChadD" (acupuncturist)
on Apr 2014
That's quite correct Matty. I replied in direct response to Sheri's post that had an opinion regarding the tongue which I disagree with.
If the sleep isn't effected by the heat, then it's probably mild and working on the liver stagnation/heat should lead to a good outcome. As far as points, that's 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.
top Login/Comment
All Content 1999-2024
Chad J. Dupuis / Yin Yang House
Our Policies and Privacy Guidelines
Our Affiliated Clinics