Bian zheng lun zhi as a complementary and alternative treatment for menstrual cramps in women with dysmenorrhea: a prospective clinical observation.

Background. Limited scientific evidence supports the positive effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating dysmenorrhea. Thus, an observation period of 3 months could verify the ancient indication that TCM treatments effectively alleviate menstrual cramps in women with primary dysmenorrhea or endometriosis. Methods. A prospective, nonrandomized study (primary dysmenorrhea and endometriosis groups) was conducted in women with dysmenorrhea for more than three consecutive menstrual cycles. All patients received TCM prescriptions based on bian zheng lun zhi theory 14 days before menstruation for a period of 12 weeks. Pain intensity was evaluated using a 10-cm visual analogue scale and two validated questionnaires (the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire). Results. Of the initial 70 intent-to-treat participants, the women with dysmenorrhea reported significant alleviation of cramps during menstruation after the 12-week TCM treatment. Mixed model analysis revealed that TCM prescriptions were more effective in alleviating fatigue, hot flashes, dizziness, painful breasts, excitement, and irritability in the primary dysmenorrhea group (N = 36) than in the endometriosis group (N = 34). Conclusion. TCM prescriptions based on syndrome differentiation theory might be a potentially viable choice for treating painful menstruation and premenstrual symptoms after ruling out endometriosis.

The traditional Chinese medicine prescription pattern of patients with primary dysmenorrhea in Taiwan: a large-scale cross sectional survey.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), when given for symptom relief, has gained widespread popularity among women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD). The aim of this study was to analyze the utilization of TCM among PD women in Taiwan. METHODS: The use, service frequency and Chinese herbal products prescribed for PD women were evaluated using a cross sectional survey of 23,118 beneficiaries who were recruited from the National Health Insurance Research Database. The logistic regression method was employed to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for utilization of TCM. RESULTS: Overall, 53.4% (N=12,349) of PD women utilized TCM and 92.2% of them sought TCM with the intention of treating their menstruation-related pain symptoms. PD women who do not take prescription painkillers (aOR=35.75, 95% CI:33.20-38.49) were more likely to seek TCM treatment than those who took pain medication (aOR=1.00). There were a total of 213,249 TCM visits due to PD, of which more than 99% were treated with Chinese herbal products (CHPs). Dang-gui-shao-yao-san (Tangkuei and Peony Powder) was the most frequently prescribed formula for treating PD. CONCLUSION: Primary dysmenorrhea women tended to use Chinese herbal products to deal with pain-related symptoms, rather than use acupuncture. Dang-gui-shao-yao-san, which containing both sedative and anti-inflammatory agents, is the most commonly prescribed Chinese herbal formula for the treatment of PD. A well designed, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to further evaluate the efficacy of Dang-gui-shao-yao-san as a treatment women with primary dysmenorrhea is warranted.

The traditional chinese medicine prescription pattern of endometriosis patients in taiwan: a population-based study.

Background. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), when given for symptom relief, has gained widespread popularity among women with endometriosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the utilization of TCM among women with endometriosis in Taiwan. Methods. The usage, frequency of service, and the Chinese herbal products prescribed for endometriosis, among endometriosis patients, were evaluated using a randomly sampled cohort of 1,000,000 beneficiaries recruited from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Results. Overall, 90.8% (N = 12, 788) of reproductive age women with endometriosis utilized TCM and 25.2% of them sought TCM with the intention of treating their endometriosis-related symptoms. Apart from the usage of either analgesics or more than one type of medical treatment, the odds of using TCM and Western medicine were similar in all types of conventional endometriosis treatment. However, endometriosis patients suffering from symptoms associated with endometriosis were more likely to seek TCM treatment than those with no symptoms. There were 21,056 TCM visits due to endometriosis and its related symptoms, of which more than 98% were treated with Chinese herbal products (CHPs). Conclusion. Gui-Zhi-Fu-Ling-Wan (Cinnamon Twig and Poria Pill) containing sedative and anti-inflammatory agents is the most commonly prescribed Chinese herbal formula mainly for the treatment of endometriosis-related symptomatic discomfort and the effects of these TCMs should be taken into account by healthcare providers.