The etiology of irregular menstruation in women lies in the damage to Qi and Blood caused by overwork, leading to physical weakness and susceptibility to Wind-Cold pathogens. If Wind-Cold invades the interior of the uterus (Bao Gong), damaging the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) along with the Yin Heart (referring to reproductive organ function), the deficiency allows pathogenic factors to take advantage. The pathogens contend with the Blood; if Cold, the Blood coagulates; if Warmth/Heat, the Blood dissipates. Consequently, menstrual flow fluctuates between excessive and scanty amounts. Treatment for irregular menstruation addresses symptoms such as variable flow, lower back pain, pain in the joints of the limbs, heat sensation in the palms and soles, irritability and oppression in the chest and diaphragm, and loss of appetite.

[Formula 1: Niuxi San]
Herbs: Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi, removed sprouts), Trichosanthes Thunbergiana Radix (Tugua Gen), Angelica Sinensis Radix (Danggui, sliced and lightly stir-fried), Salvia Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Danshen), Paeoniae Rubra Radix (Chishaoyao), Pruni Persicae Semen (Taoren, soaked in water, skin and tips removed, double-kernel bran-fried until slightly yellow).
Preparation and Administration: Pound and sieve the above herbs into a powder. Take 3 qian per dose, add one zhong of water and half a fen of fresh ginger, decoct until reduced to six parts, strain, and take warm. Administer three times daily.

[Formula 2] For irregular menstruation, either preceding or following the month, or resembling bean curd dregs, with severe lower back pain as if broken, pain in both legs, and Wind-Cold in the uterus, purgation is indicated.
Herbs: Rheum Palmatum Radix et Rhizoma (Chuan Dahuang, 2 liang, sliced and lightly stir-fried), Paeonia Suffruticosa Bark (Mudan, 1 liang), Natrii Sulfas (Chuan Puxiao, 2 liang), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, 0.5 liang, honey-fried until slightly red and sliced), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi, 1 liang, removed sprouts).
Preparation and Administration: Pound and coarsely sieve the above herbs into a powder. Take 5 qian per dose, add one large zhong of water, decoct until reduced to five parts, strain, and take on an empty stomach. After walking approximately ten li, foul matter should be discharged. If not discharged, administer again the next day.

[Formula 3] For irregular menstruation, occurring twice a month, or early/late, or amenorrhea. Xingren San Formula.
Herbs: Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren, 2 liang, soaked, skin and tips removed, bran-fried until slightly yellow), Rheum Palmatum Radix et Rhizoma (Chuan Dahuang, 3 liang, sliced and lightly stir-fried), Hirudo (Shuizhi, 30 pieces, fried until slightly yellow), Ophrya (Mengchong, 37 pieces, wings and feet removed, fried).
Preparation and Administration: Pound and sieve the above herbs into a powder. Take 3 qian per dose, add one zhong of water, decoct until reduced to five parts, strain, and take warm on an empty stomach. After some time, foul matter should be discharged via urination. If discharge is abundant, stop medication; if scant, administer again the next day.

[Formula 4] For irregular menstruation, continuous dripping, recurring after cessation, resembling flowing water, with weak limbs, inability to eat, and hard, painful abdomen.
Herbs: Pruni Persicae Semen (Taoren, 1 liang, soaked, skin and tips removed, bran-fried until slightly yellow), Lycopi Herba (Zelan), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi, 2 liang, removed sprouts), Angelica Sinensis Radix (Danggui, 2 liang, sliced and lightly stir-fried), Paeoniae Rubra Radix (Chishaoyao, 1 liang, fried and sliced), Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Sheng Dihuang, 1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Pound and sieve the above herbs into a powder. Take 5 qian per dose, add one large zhong of water and half a fen of fresh ginger, decoct until reduced to five parts, strain, and take warm. Administer three times daily.

[Formula 5] For irregular menstruation, hypogastric pain, and poor appetite. Sang'er San Formula.
Herbs: Auricularia Auricula-Judae (Sang'er, 1 liang), [Text missing], Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi, 1.5 liang, removed sprouts), Paeoniae Rubra Radix (Chishaoyao, 1 liang), Trichosanthes Thunbergiana Radix (Tugua Gen, 1 liang), Poria Cocos with Red Host (Chifuling, 1 liang), Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Sheng Dihuang, 1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Pound and finely sieve the above herbs into a powder. Take 2 qian each time on an empty stomach and before evening meal, mixed with warm wine.

[Formula 6] For irregular menstruation, postpartum lochia retention, delirium, confusion, dry mouth, alternating chills and fever, and abdominal pain. Mudan San Formula.
Herbs: Paeonia Suffruticosa Bark (Mudan), Trichosanthes Thunbergiana Radix (Tugua Gen), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi, removed sprouts), Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix (Huzhang), Pruni Persicae Semen (Taoren, soaked, skin and tips removed, bran-fried until slightly yellow), Paeoniae Rubra Radix (Chishaoyao), Angelica Sinensis Radix (Danggui, sliced until slightly yellow, removed radix neck and roots).
Preparation and Administration: Pound and finely sieve the above herbs into a powder. Take 2 qian at any time, mixed with Danggui-infused wine.

[Formula 7] For irregular menstruation, occurring twice a month or skipping months, with variable flow, continuous dripping, colors ranging from red, yellow, black, to white, and emaciation. Mudan Wan.
Herbs: Paeonia Suffruticosa Bark (Mudan, 1 liang), Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Sheng Dihuang, 1 liang), Angelica Sinensis Radix (Danggui, 3 fen, sliced and lightly stir-fried), Psoraleae Fructus (Puhuang, 1 liang), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi, 3 fen, removed sprouts), Succam Fossile (Hupo, closed-mouth variety, fried), Ophrya (Mengchong, 37 pieces, wings and feet removed, fried).
Preparation and Administration: Pound the above herbs into powder, mix with refined honey, and pound/beaten 300-500 times to form pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 2 qian on an empty stomach and before evening meal with warm wine.

[Formula 8] For irregular menstruation, occurring twice a month or monthly absence, variable flow, hypogastric pain, sallow complexion, and weak, fatigued limbs.
Herbs: Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Sheng Dihuang), Pruni Persicae Semen (Taoren, soaked, skin and tips removed, bran-fried until slightly yellow), Angelica Sinensis Radix (Danggui, sliced and lightly stir-fried), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi, removed sprouts), Rheum Palmatum Radix et Rhizoma (Chuan Dahuang, separately pounded into powder), Paeoniae Rubra Radix (Chishaoyao, removed radix neck and roots).
Preparation and Administration: Pound the above herbs into powder. Use first-quality vinegar (3 sheng) to simmer the Dahuang powder into a paste, then mix with other herb powders, pounding 200-300 times to form pills the size of paulownia seeds.

Another Prescription:
Rehmanniae Radix Recens (Sheng Dihuang, sliced, 1 jin).
Decoct in 3 zhong of wine until 1.5 zhong remains, strain, divide into three doses, and consume within one day.

Another Prescription:
Pound deer horn (Lujiao) into powder. Take 3 qian per dose, mixed with warm wine.