Course Overview

The clinical practice series on gynaecology and female health addresses the most common issues encountered in clinic. The course on Dysmenorrhoea, Endometriosis and Abnormal Uterine Bleeding covers the many presentations of painful menstruation and excessive menstrual bleeding that are suffered by women who seek help from us in our clinic. Topics of discussion include: (1) Chinese medicine physiology of the relevant vessels and the interrelationship of the Ren, Chong Du and Zangfu (2) A discussion of Tian Gui (3) Patterns of pain, excessive bleeding (AUB and DUB), disordered menstruation (4) Mechanisms of pain in Dysmenorrhoea (5) Mechanisms of pain in Endometriosis (6) The various patterns of AUB: Excessive bleeding, Beng Lou (Flooding and trickling) and disordered menstrual cycles (7) 7 genuine case studies – with the usual complexities encountered in the clinic (8) Information on herbs, formulas, modifications and patent alternatives

Course Objectives

• Understand the functions and interrelationships of relevant vessels and zangfu including the concepts of Zigong, Tian Gui, Shao fu and Xiao fu and their implications for treatment decisions, so as to determine appropriate, effective treatment
• Gain a deeper knowledge of dysmenorrhoea: presentations, patterns, treatment, effects of progesterone, prostaglandins, prostacyclin, and the physiological effects of linolenic/linoleic acid, evening primrose oil, vitamin B6, zinc and magnesium.
• Understand the clinical features and causes of endometriosis, its mechanism of pain, the mechanical and chemical factors affecting fertility, its emotional impact, Western treatment options and outcomes, and Chinese medicine treatment options.
• Understand the range of diagnostic options for endometriosis and dysmenorrhoea with treatment approaches via discussion of genuine case studies including formulas
• Understand various types of excessive uterine bleeding, the role of progesterone, the association with fibroids and the range of Chinese medicine patterns and fine-tuned treatment options via discussion of genuine case studies including formulas

Course Outline

0 hrs - 15 minFundamental functional concepts of Chinese medicine pertaining to menstruation and reproductive health, including the interrelationship and mutual support of the Zangfu, Jingluo, extraordinary vessels and the significance of Tian Gui.

15 min - 45 minExplanation of dysmenorrhea, its incidence, clinical presentation, patterns, treatment, the mechanisms pf pain and effects of progesterone, prostaglandins,linolenic/linoleic acid, evening primrose oil, vitamin B6, zinc and magnesium.

45 min - 1.5 hrsThe difference between endometriosis and adenomyosis, the specific mechanism of pain, the mechanical and chemical factors affecting fertility, the emotional effects, Western treatment options, and the clinical approaches of Chinese medicine.

1.5 hrs - 2 hrsDiscussion of genuine clinical case histories of dysmenrrhoea and endometriosis with herbal and acupuncture formulas

2 hrs - 3.5 hrsDefinition of AUB and DUB, the different patterns of excessive uterine bleeding in clinical practice, the treatment of a range of patterns, including disordered enetrual bleeding, and how not all patterns fit into the pattern of “Beng Lou”.