Differential diagnosis of exercise-induced amenorrhea in traditional Chinese medicine

Amenorrhea in female athletes during sports competitions or intense training is called sports amenorrhea, which is often related to excessive mental stress, leading to endocrine dysfunction. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that sports amenorrhea is often related to excessive mental stress, disordered Qi movement, Chong and Ren dysfunction, and blood sea not being full. Patients may experience infrequent menstruation, scanty menstruation, or blood clots, or even amenorrhea, often accompanied by abdominal distension and pain, breast and chest distension and discomfort, abdominal distension and belching, loss of appetite, and back pain.

Kidney deficiency and sperm deficiency type amenorrhea

The menstruation starts late, the menstrual flow is scanty, and the color is light red, gradually leading to amenorrhea, dizziness, tinnitus, soreness of the waist and knees, dry mouth, hot hands and feet, or hot flashes and sweating, pale red tongue with little coating, and a stringy or fine pulse.

Amenorrhea due to deficiency of Qi and blood

In the later stage of menstruation, the menstrual flow is scanty and light in color, gradually leading to amenorrhea, dizziness and fatigue, sallow complexion, forgetfulness and insomnia, shortness of breath and laziness to speak, dull hair and skin, pale tongue, and weak pulse.

Qi stagnation and blood stasis type amenorrhea

Irregular menstrual periods, gradual or sudden menstruation, swelling and pain in the chest, flanks, breasts, and lower abdomen, irritability, dark tongue with petechiae, and a stringy and wiry pulse.

Phlegm-dampness stagnation type amenorrhea

In the late menstrual period, it gradually turns to amenorrhea, with obesity, abdominal distension, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, excessive white vaginal discharge, greasy white tongue coating, and a stringy and slippery pulse.