Diarrhea During Menstruation

Diarrhea during menstruation can be caused by a variety of factors, including excessive physical work, irregular diet, emotional stress, and overwork. In this article, we will discuss the etiology and pathology of diarrhea during menstruation, as well as possible solutions to alleviate the symptoms.

Causes

Excessive physical work and irregular diet can lead to Spleen-Qi deficiency, which can cause diarrhea during menstruation. Emotional stress, such as anger and frustration, can lead to Liver-Qi stagnation and Spleen-Qi deficiency. Overwork can weaken the Kidneys, leading to diarrhea after menstruation.

Excessive Physical Work and Irregular Diet

Excessive physical work may injure the Spleen and lead to Spleen-Qi deficiency. The Spleen can also be weakened by a diet lacking in nourishment or by the excessive consumption of raw, cold foods. When the period arrives, Blood percolates down to the Uterus; Spleen-Qi is already depleted and since it holds blood in the vessels the extra exertion weakens it further; it cannot transform and transport the food essences and diarrhea results. This is more likely to occur during or after the period.

Emotional Stress

Emotional stress such as anger, resentment or frustration may lead to Liver-Qi stagnation. Stagnant Liver-Qi often invades the Spleen and induces Spleen-Qi deficiency. In the time before the period, Liver-Qi should flow and flourish in order that Qi may move Blood. If Liver-Qi has grown stagnant, it stagnates even more before the period; this weakens the Spleen, which fails to transform and transport food essences; and diarrhea results. This is more likely to occur before or during the period.

Overwork

Overwork in the sense of working long hours under stress may weaken the Kidneys. This organ controls the two orifices and the Uterus; thus, when the period comes, and especially after the period, the Kidneys are relatively weakened, they fail to restrain the two orifices and diarrhea results. In this case, diarrhea is more likely to occur after the period.

Pathology

The main pathological conditions that may cause diarrhea at period time are:

• Spleen-Qi deficiency
• Liver-Qi stagnant and invading the Spleen
• Kidney-Yang deficiency

Solutions

To alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea during menstruation, it is important to address the underlying causes. For example, if the diarrhea is caused by Spleen-Qi deficiency, nourishing the Spleen with warming, cooked foods and avoiding cold, raw foods can be helpful. If the diarrhea is caused by emotional stress, practicing