Time of Onset
Pain before and during the period is usually of the Full type, while pain after the period is of the
Empty type.
Pressure
If the pain is made worse by pressure it indicates Fullness, while if the patient gets relief from
pressing the lower abdomen it indicates Emptiness.
Heat-Cold
If the pain is relieved by the application of heat (such as a hot-water bottle) it indicates either a
Cold condition or stasis of Blood from Cold. It should be kept in mind, however, that this sign is
not always indicative of dysmenorrhoea from Cold as other conditions, such as stagnation of Qi
or Blood, may also be alleviated by the application of a hot-water bottle. If the pain is aggravated
by heat, it indicates Blood-Heat.
Character of Pain
- Pain better after passing clots: stasis of Blood
- Pain with pronounced feeling of distension: stagnation of Qi
- Burning pain: Blood-Heat
- Cramping pain: Cold in the uterus
- Stabbing pain, not moving: stasis of Blood
- Pulling pain: stasis of Blood
- Bearing-down pain before the period: stasis of Blood
- Bearing-down pain after the period: Kidney deficiency.
Location of Pain
- Pain both sides of lower abdomen: Liver channel
- Pain on sacrum: Kidney channel, deficiency.
Cycle
If the cycle is prolonged and the menstrual blood is dark and clotted it indicates stasis of Blood.
If the menstrual blood is red with small dark clots it indicates Cold in the uterus.
If the cycle is short, the period is heavy and the blood is bright-red, it indicates Blood-Heat.