AboutR. Scott Malone L.Ac. Expertise I can answer questions on Acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
I specialize in women's issues, mental-emotional issues and headache.
Experience I have been in practice for 10 years.
Organizations I am certified and state liscensed.
Education/Credentials Graduated from the T'ai Institute of Oriental Medicine with certificates in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Question QUESTION: I had a question. I had gotten off the birth control pill in Nov 2008...since then my periods have been about 28-35 days apart, in the past few months more like 28-30 days apart, but very light (first day light, then medium, then light and by the fourth day very light). I have never had such light periods. I started taking chinese herbs (Ba Zhen Wan, per my naturopath and acupuncturist) about a month ago for my hormonal imbalances and had my period come 28 days after my last one (sept 1). It ended sept 4th. Then I started spotting sept 14 and now, sept 18th its darker and a bit heavier almost like a second period. I've not had a in-between period or spotting like this since when first starting the pill...what can be going on? Could this be attributed to the herbs I took? I get my yearly checkups and everything is normal, but since this pill its like my hormonse are way off. Any suggestions?
ANSWER: Hello Eva,
In my experience when addressing cycle regulation, I would recommend addressing the liver.
Ba ZHen Wan builds and circulates both qi and blood, but dosen't specifically target the liver.
I would recommend a formula with chai hu or xiang fu in it, perhaps a variation of xiao yao san depending upon the intake.
I would also recommend opening the ren and chong channels as well as liver 3 with acupuncture.
Sometimes when regulating a cycle, things get a little wonky until they settle into the regular cycle. I would plan on seeing your acupuncturist a number of times until things get regular.
How many treatments and rounds of herbs have you had?
I'm on vacation at the moment, on Monday I can give you a more indepth reply if you like.
Take care,
R. Scott Malone L.Ac.
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QUESTION: Hi Scott, thanks for the info! Actually I did meet with another acupuncture/oriental medicine person. She put me Xiao Yao San since last Thursday (2 pills, 3 times a day). I started it about a day after I started getting this spotting which now is a little heavier but stillc onsidered light. She did thing it had to do with stagnation in my blood hence the periods not being regular but she did tell me do do the Xiao Yao San. I just want to make sure his sudden breakthrough bleeding is not a concern...I figured I was not regular when my periods (although in the 28-31 day time frame) were still light. This is about day 4 of taking the Xiao Yao San.
Answer Hey, great to hear you're on the right track!
I think you should listen to your acupuncturist and give it some time.
Make sure you go in a few days before your period is normally due as this will greatly
help things along.
I'm guessing that as you take the Xiao Yao, things will even out, it's a great formula.
Regulation of Chong and Ren meridian is always helpful, you might see if that's part of your acupuncture.
Feel free to ask anytime and congrats on getting the help you needed,
