Early Periods

What Causes a Period to come Early ?

Early periods is classified as a period which comes approximatley seven days early (around a 21 day cycle) for 3 consecutive cycles in a row. If the period is sometimes early and sometimes normal this would be classified as Irregular periods and not Early Periods. The amount of bleeding with can be normal, excessive, or scanty.   There are many things which can cause this disorder.  Some of the main reasons are caffiene, changing the Birth Control Pill, Stress, Antibiotics, loosing weight and becoming underweight, ....     The most common reason I see is a early period due to stress !

Chinese Medicine Differentiation and Treatment

Spleen Qi deficiency

The body is unable to keep blood within it's vessels allowing blood to escape causing an early period.  This bleed is usually pale in color and may be very thin or watery.  Other symtpoms accompanied in this pattern are: shortness of breath,fatigue, loose stools, bloating after meals, pale complexion, ...

Tongue - pale, swollen with teeth marks

Principle of Treatment: tonify Spleen Qi,  regulate period

Acupuncture points - stomach 36, ren 12, du 20, spleen 6, Moxa Spleen 1, Bladder 20

Herbal Medicine Formula: Gui Pi Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Blood Heat

This pattern causes not only a Early Period but also a heavy period. The blood may be dark or bright red, may contain clots. Other general signs and symptoms could be:  irritability, red face, anxiety, irritability, dry stool, thirst, red face, dark urine, restless, ...  This pattern is very common to bring about early periods after a long period of stress.  

Tongue - red           Pulse - rapid, forceful

Principle of Treatment: clear Heat, cool blood, regulate Chong and Ren

Acupuncture points - SP 6, 8, 10 , LR 2 

insomnia- HT 7 - Heat signs- LI 11, KI 2, Ren 3

Herbal Medicine Formula: Qing Jing Tang, Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San

Alternative Treatment Methods for Early Periods:

auricular Acupuncture- Nei Shen Zhi Qi (internal reproductive), endocrine, subcortex, LR, SP, KI, Yuan Zhong

scalp Acupuncture - reproductive system

(electro) 7 star Acupuncture - along Ren, Du, Dai Mai Meridians