Answer: Menstrual obstruction and cessation are caused by wind-cold pathogens invading the uterine collaterals (Baoluo). It may also result from sexual intercourse after intoxication, blood deficiency (Xueku), blood masses (Xuexia), or blood accumulation (Xueji). Additionally, trauma from falls or fright can lead to menstrual cessation. The *Zhubing Yuanhou Lun* states that blood flows freely when warm but becomes stagnant and obstructed when cold. When congealed by cold, menstruation cannot flow smoothly. If there is borborygmus in the intestines, menstruation ceases; this is due to cold disturbing the stomach fu organs. Sexual intercourse after intoxication depletes internal qi and injures the Liver meridian. Conditions such as hematemesis, spitting blood, or lower bleeding are termed "blood loss" (Tuoxue), leading to internal blood exhaustion. Formation of accumulations, blood masses, and blood accumulation is named "blood gathering" (Xueju), causing Ying Qi to knot internally. Since the Heart governs blood circulation, trauma or fright causes the Shen (Spirit) to lose its anchor and blood to scatter, also resulting in menstrual cessation.

Shunrong Decoction: Treats women with blood accumulation and mass formation presenting as abdominal distension with palpable masses, paroxysmal abdominal pain, and absence of chills or fever for a long duration.
Ingredients: Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 1 liang, soaked in wine, steamed, and sliced), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 1 liang), Biba (Piperis Kadsurae Fructus, 0.5 liang), Guiyao dai (Gastrodiae Rhizoma, 1 liang; some editions read "Jian"), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus, 1 liang, pith removed, stir-fried with bran), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra, 0.5 liang), Zhuya zaojiao (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina, 0.5 liang, roasted over fire).
Preparation and Administration: Crush the herbs into coarse powder. Take 1 liang per dose, decoct with two cups of pure wine until reduced to one cup. Strain and take warm before meals.

Zixue Decoction: Treats excessive labor damaging the zang-fu organs, leading to deficiency of Qi in the Chong and Ren meridians, which fail to constrain the menses, resulting in sudden profuse bleeding termed "Bengzhong" (Metrorrhagia). Symptoms include fresh blood, clots, blood fragments, or five-colored discharge, continuous for days without stopping, accompanied by emaciation, fatigue, lethargy, menstrual cessation, and dysfunction of Qi ascending and descending.
Ingredients: Mabiancao (Verbena Herba), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Jingjie sui (Schizonepetae Spica) (each 4 liang), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) (each 2 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Take 4 qian per dose, add one Wumei (Mume Fructus), decoct with water, and take on an empty stomach. Continue for half a month to one month until menstruation resumes naturally.

Taoren Jian Wan: Treats blood masses and blood accumulation causing menstrual obstruction.
Ingredients: Taoren (Persicae Semen, peeled and tip removed, stir-fried with flour until yellow), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, steamed wrapped in wet paper), Chuanponxiao (Natrii Sulfas, each 1 liang), Mengchong (Blaberidae, stir-fried until yellow, 0.5 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into fine powder. Boil 2.5 sheng of strong vinegar in a silver or ceramic vessel over low heat until reduced to 1.5 sheng. Add Dahuang, Taoren, Mengchong, etc., stirring continuously. To form pills, add Poxiao, continuing to stir. Remove after a while and shape into pills the size of paulownia seeds. Do not eat dinner the night before. At dawn (Wugeng time), swallow five pills with warm wine. By noon, expel substances resembling red bean juice, chicken liver, shrimp, or hemp cloth. If not expelled, take again. Stop if bright red blood appears, then administer formulas to regulate Qi and nourish Blood. This formula originates from the *Qianjin Fang*.

Wanbing Wan (See Question 6)