If endometrial
tissues emerge outside the uterine cavity, the symptom is
termed "Endometriosis." It is characterized by secondary,
progressive painful menstruation, irregular menstruation and
sterility. In TCM, it is discussed under the topics of Tong
jing (dysmenorrhea), Beng Lou (metrorrhagia and
metrostaxis), Zhengjia (abdominal mass) and Bu Yun
(sterility). This illness is caused by impeded flow of Qi
and blood, beading t the obstruction of the Penetrating
Channel and Controlling Channel and dysfunction of the
uterus.
Classifications
and Treatments
This disease is
commonly caused by the stagnation of Qi and blood stasis.
Clinical
manifestations: Abdominal pain starting from 1-2 days
preceding the menstrual cycle, drastic pain on the first day
of menstruation which is aggravated progressively year by
year; the pain in the lower abdomen and lumbo-sacral region
which radiates to the perineum, the anus or the thighs;
copious menses or prolonged menstrual cycle wit incessant
drippings of bleeding; a case history of sterility. The
tongue is purplish dark with thin, either whitish or
yellowish fur. The pulse is either deep and taut or uneven.
Gynecological
examination finds purplish blue nodes in the posterior
fornix of the vagina or in the uterine cervix, with the
uterus retroversed, adhered and fixed, and with its activity
restricted. On the posterior uterine wall, in the
retrouterine excavation and uterosacral ligament, bean-like,
hard-textured nodes can be touched with obvious tenderness;
in the appendicular region in active cystic mass is
perceivable with mild tenderness when pressed.
Therapeutic method:
Promote blood circulation and get rid of blood stasis.
Recipe: Gexia Zhuyu
Decoction
Ingredients:
Radix Angelicae
Sinensis
Faeces
Trogopterorum Praeparata
Rhizoma Ligustici
Chuanxiong
Radix Paeoniae
Rubra
Semen Persicae
Flos Carthami
Fructus Aurantii
Rhizoma Corydalis
Cortex Moutan
Radicis
Rhizoma Cyperi
Radix Linderae
Radix Glycyrrhizae
Decoct the herbs in
water to get 200-300ml of decoction for a day's dose. Take
one half of it in the morning and the other half in the
evening.
Modification: In
case of listlessness and poor appetite, deduct Faeces
Trogopterorum Praeparata, but add to the recipe Radix
Codonopsis Pilosulae,
Radix Astragali seu
Hedysari.
In case of cold
pain in the lower abdomen which can be relieved by warmth,
deduct Cortex
Moutan Radicis,
Radix Paeoniae Rubra,
but add
Fructus Foeniculi,Fructus
Evodiae. In
case of sterility due to obstruction of the oviduct, add
Herba Speranskiae
Tuberculata, Squama Manitis,Spina
Gleditsiae.
Other therapies
The cases with
anemia, use the following formula:
Radix Salviae
Miltiorrhizae
Rhizoma Ligustici
Chuanxiong
Rhizoma Sparganii
Rhizoma Zedoariae
Resina Olibani
Praeparata
Myrrha
Flos Carthami
Sanguis Draconis
Decoct the above
herbs into 150-200 ml of decoction. Inject the liquid into
the colon through the anus as its temperature drops to 37¡æ.
The operation is done before night sleep.
Caution
The stricture of
the cervix and the excessive retroflexion of the uterus must
be rectified so as to prevent the countercurrent of the
menses caused by blood stasis.
Avoid unnecessary
pelvioscopy during the menstrual period. Avoid the
implantation of endometria caused by manipulations in the
surgical operation.
