title: Bian zheng lun zhi as a complementary and alternative treatment for menstrual cramps in women with dysmenorrhea: a prospective clinical observation.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Linong Road, Taipei City 112, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pin-Yi
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Linong Road, Taipei City 112, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yueh-Ting
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8751-8085
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Linong Road, Taipei City 112, Taiwan ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei City Hospital, Yangming Branch, Taipei City 111, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jung-Nien
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3887-6086
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Yangming Branch, Taipei City 111, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Hao
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.affiliation: Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Linong Road, Taipei City 112, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ruei-Chi
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9309-447X
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Fang