bubble_chart Concept

Breast or nipple distending pain that occurs three to seven days before each menstrual period, sometimes so severe that it cannot be touched, and subsides after the period, is called menstrual distending pain of the breasts.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Liver Qi Depression︰Pre-menstrual breast distending pain, even untouchable, relieved after menstruation, delayed menstruation, scanty flow, menstrual abdominal distension and fullness pain, mental depression, dysphoric mood, chest tightness and hypochondriac distension, thin tongue coating, wiry pulse. It is advisable to {|###|}soothe the liver and regulate qi, invigorate the blood to unblock collaterals{|###|}, the prescription uses Bupleurum Liver-Soothing Powder with modifications.
2. Liver Depression Transforming into Fire︰Pre-menstrual breast distension with distending pain or stabbing pain, unbearable to touch, or palpable masses when touched, dry mouth with desire to drink, dysphoria and irritability, advanced menstruation, heavy flow with red color, mild abdominal distension and fullness pain during menstruation, usually yellow, thick, and foul-smelling leukorrhea. Red tongue with thin, yellow, and rough coating, wiry and rapid pulse. Treatment should focus on soothing the liver and clearing heat, unblocking collaterals, and relieving distension. The recommended formula is Peony and Gardenia Peripatetic Powder with modifications.
3. Liver Depressionkidney Deficiency︰Pre-menstrual chest tightness and breast distension, soft to touch without lumps, delayed menarche, late menstrual cycle with scanty flow, lower abdominal cold pain, dull complexion, low libido, pale tongue with thin white coating, deep and wiry pulse. This condition arises from constitutional weakness or kidney qi deficiency, coupled with Chong and Ren meridian insufficiency and emotional stagnation leading to liver qi depression, resulting in menstrual breast distension and pain (soft without lumps) and scanty menstruation. Treatment should focus on regulating the liver and tonifying the kidney, using Menstruation-Stabilizing Decoction with degelatined deer-horn and Cyperus.
4. Liver and Spleen Disharmony︰Before menstruation, chest tightness and breast distension, poor appetite, nausea, abdominal distension and fullness, pedal edema, heavy and pale-colored menstruation, wiry and thin pulse, pale and swollen tongue with thin white coating. This is due to liver depression and spleen deficiency, retention of water-dampness, and disharmony of the collaterals, hence the chest tightness and breast distension before menstruation. It is also accompanied by anorexia, nausea, abdominal distension and fullness, pedal edema, pale and swollen tongue, etc. The treatment should focus on invigorating the spleen and draining dampness, regulating qi and moving stagnation. The prescription used is Peripatetic Powder combined with Ginseng, Poria and White Atractylodes Powder.
5. Liver Depressionyin Deficiency︰Pre-menstrual chest and hypochondriac distending pain, or nipple distending pain, dizziness and dizzy vision, restless sleep, irritability and susceptibility to anger, advanced menstruation, heavy or scanty flow, dark red color with purple blood clots, red tongue with scant coating, wiry, thin, and rapid pulse. Mostly caused by kidney water deficiency, water failing to nourish wood, and liver depression qi stagnation. The clinical symptoms, in addition to chest tightness and breast distension, often include advanced menstruation, red color mixed with purple blood clots, dizziness and dizzy vision, and other symptoms of kidney yin deficiency. Treatment should focus on soothing the liver and tonifying the kidney, using Peripatetic Powder combined with Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill.

Menstrual distending pain of the breasts is related to liver depression and discomfort, as well as disturbance of qi movement. However, in most cases, it is accompanied by kidney qi deficiency, liver-kidney yin deficiency, or spleen deficiency with dampness obstruction. During clinical diagnosis, it is important to differentiate based on the menstrual condition and overall physical state.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. "Shanghai Old Chinese Medicine Experience Compilation: Clinical Experience of Menstrual Distending Pain of Breasts" "Liver depression and blood deficiency type menstrual distending pain of breasts: Clinical menstrual distending pain of breasts. Dizziness and blurred vision, shallow yellow complexion, mental fatigue, menstrual flow often delayed, scanty and pale in color, pulse manifestation thin and wiry. Tongue crimson with little coating.
2. Liver depression and Chong Ren deficiency-cold type menstrual distending pain of breasts: Clinical menstrual distending pain of breasts, lower back pain and mental fatigue, a cold sensation in the lower abdomen, pulse manifestation thin and slow, tongue pale with thin white coating."