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Table 1 Traditional Chinese medicine pattern differentiation protocol for women with primary dysmenorrhea

From: Use of moxibustion to treat primary dysmenorrhea at two interventional times: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Diagnostic patterns

Items

Diagnostic pattern 1

 

Stagnation of Qi and blood

Pain: distended, stabbing abdominal pain before or during the period aggravated by pressure.

Menstruation: dark purplish in color, clotty and hesitant or scanty in flow, pain relieved after clots discharged.

Accompanying symptoms: distending in breasts, mood swings.

Tongue: purplish.

Pulse: wiry.

Diagnostic pattern 2

Pain: distended, stabbing abdominal pain before or during the period, favorably to warmth, lower back pain.

Retention of cold-damp coagulation

Menstruation: dark purplish in color, clotty and hesitant in flow, pain relieved after clots discharged.

Accompanying symptoms: distending in breasts, mood swings, and aversion to cold.

Tongue: pale and white greasy tongue coating.

Pulse: deep and slow.