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The human body has 404 types of diseases. Women's conditions are no different from men's, except for menstruation, pregnancy, pre- and postpartum periods, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea (bleeding and discharge), leukorrhea (vaginal discharge), mastitis (inflammation of the breast), and vulvar sores, which are considered private matters within the boudoir. As Sun Simiao stated, women's diseases are twice as difficult to treat as men's, referring precisely to this situation.

The *Classic* states: The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) originates at Qichuan (ST30), runs alongside the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, flanks the navel upwards, disperses in the chest, seeps into and irrigates the Yang meridians, descends into the feet, and serves as the Sea of the Twelve Meridians. Its entry and exit all proceed via the Shaoyin Meridian, thus it is called the Sea of Blood. However, the Chong, Ren, and Du vessels share a single source but branch into three. The Chong vessel ascends from the lower abdomen on both sides behind the navel, follows the front of the abdomen to govern Yin meridians, acting as the general assembly of Yin vessels. The Ren and Du vessels originate from the lower abdomen and ascend along the back; the Du vessel governs the posterior aspect as the chief outline of Yang vessels.

The Chong vessel is the Sea of Blood, where Qi and Blood from all meridians converge. In men, Qi and Blood circulate and move without stagnation or lack of fullness and activation; in women, they accumulate and remain still, achieving fullness through accumulation. When not full, it overflows at regular intervals, termed "Xin" (trust/regularity). Men operate by Qi, so Yang Qi acts once daily; women fill with Blood, so Yin Blood flows down once monthly.

The Chong and Ren vessels are two of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. The *Classic* says: The Chong is the Sea of Blood and governs conception; this is one vessel. It connects downward to the Ren vessel. After circulation empties it, it gradually fills after seven days, similar to the waxing and waning of the moon. One should understand that the surplus in the Sea of Blood applies to all twelve meridians, not just the Sea of Blood itself. Thus, menstruation can occur.

The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) originates below Zhongji (CV3), ascends above the pubic hair, follows the interior of the abdomen, passes through Guanyuan (CV4), and reaches the throat; hence it is called the "Sea of Yin Vessels." "Ren" means pregnancy/nurturing. This marks the beginning of human reproduction, hence the name Ren Mai. The Du Mai (Governor Vessel) originates at Changqiang (GV1, also referred to as Xiaji Zhi Shu), runs parallel within the spinal column, ascends to Fengfu (GV16), enters the brain, reaches the vertex, follows the forehead to the nose bridge. "Du" implies governance or capital, making it the grand outline of Yang vessels. Hence it is called the "Sea of Yang Vessels." The Ren Mai governs the Yin Blood of the whole body. Taichong belongs to the Yangming Stomach Meridian and is the Sea of Blood; therefore, when Grain Qi is abundant, the Sea of Blood fills, and menstruation arrives on time.

Women's menstrual water originates from four meridians: the Chong and Ren, and the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian and Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Among these, Chong is the Sea of Blood, and Ren governs conception; these two mutually support each other, enabling pregnancy. The Small Intestine Meridian belongs to the Fu organs, governs the exterior, and is Yang; the Shaoyin Meridian belongs to the Zang organs, governs the interior, and is Yin. These two meridians transform into milk when upper and menstrual blood when lower. (Only birds and beasts conceive without Tian Gui, likely because they only know eating and mating, causing Jing and Blood to circulate and gather exclusively at the tailgate area.)

The *Classic* states: At age fourteen (two sevens), Tian Gui arrives in women. "Tian" refers to Heavenly True Qi, and "Gui" refers to the Water of Ren and Gui. Ren is Yang Water, and Gui is Yin Water. Women belong to the Yin category. With Chong as the Sea of Blood and Ren governing conception, as these two vessels flow smoothly and menstrual blood gradually fills, it flows down on schedule, and Heavenly True Qi descends; thus it is called Tian Gui. It typically appears every thirty days to symbolize the moon; when full, it wanes, never missing its period, hence called "Yue Xin" (Monthly Trust). The term Tian Gui compares it to Yin Essence. Since the Kidney belongs to Water, and Gui also belongs to Water, it arises from the accumulation of Pre-heaven Qi reaching its limit; thus Yin Essence is called Tian Gui. Wang Bing’s view that menstrual flow itself is Tian Gui is incorrect. Both male and female essence can be called Tian Gui; if women's blood were Tian Gui, would men's Tian Gui also be blood? During intercourse, both have essence; during menstruation, there is blood. It is unheard of to describe intercourse using blood. However, women's essence arrives at age fourteen, and their menstruation coincides with this timing.

Men are Yang, containing Yin within them; the number for Yin is eight. Thus, at age eight (one eight), Yang Essence rises; at sixteen (two eights), Yang Essence overflows. Women are Yin, containing Yang within them; the number for Yang is seven. Thus, at age seven (one seven), Yin Essence rises; at fourteen (two sevens), Yin Blood overflows. All of this results from the essence of food and drink. The *Classic* says: Food enters the stomach, releasing Qi and Essence, which moves upward to the Spleen. The Spleen scatters essence, sending it up to the Lung, which regulates water passages and transports it downward to the Bladder. Water essence distributes throughout, and the Five Meridians run together. Li Dongyuan stated that the Spleen is the source of transformation and production, and the Heart commands the Blood of all meridians. If the Heart and Spleen are peaceful, menstruation remains normal. However, if internal injury from Seven Emotions, invasion by Six Evils, irregular diet, or improper rest leads to Spleen-Stomach deficiency and reckless movement of Heart Fire, menstruation will become irregular. Blood is born from Spleen Earth; hence, the Spleen controls Blood. For all Blood disorders, sweet-warm herbs should be used to assist Yang Qi and generate Yin Blood.

Blood is the refined essence of water and grain. It harmonizes the Five Zang organs and spreads to the Six Fu organs. In men, it transforms into Essence; in women, it becomes milk above and menstrual blood below. Although the Heart governs Blood and the Liver stores Blood, ultimately all are controlled by the Spleen. Tonifying the Spleen and harmonizing the Stomach allows Blood to generate naturally. During menstruation, bitter-cold medicines must be prohibited, as well as such foods. Generally, before Tian Gui arrives, illnesses in women often stem from the Heart and Spleen; after Tian Gui arrives, they often stem from the Liver and Kidneys.

Women's menstrual blood and milk are both generated by the Spleen and Stomach. Grain Qi enters the stomach; its pure and clear fluid-Qi returns to the Heart, enters the vessels, turns red to become Blood. Excess Blood pours into the Chong and Ren to form menstrual blood, which is Yin Water. Yin must follow Yang, hence its red color, inheriting the hue of Fire. Chong is the Sea of Blood, Ren governs conception. If male essence is ejaculated during intercourse, Yin and Yang combine to form pregnancy, and this Blood shifts to nourish the fetus. After childbirth, the pure fluid-Qi from the Stomach returns to the Lung, gathers in the vessels, flows into the breasts, turns white to become milk, inheriting the color of Metal (Lung). If not breastfed, the Yangming orifices remain blocked, Stomach fluids return to the vessels, turn red, and become menstrual blood.

Both men and women possess Essence. Any excess in sexual activity severely damages Essence; hence, it is said that depleted Essence kills. Unfortunately, worldly discussions focus solely on men, ignoring texts stating that women's desires exceed men's, and their susceptibility to disease is double that of men. Moreover, postpartum conditions, leukorrhea, and the thirty-six diseases damage Qi and Blood and involve complex symptoms. Therefore, women especially should keep their hearts pure and restrain desires; this is the primary method for regulating menstruation and dispelling disease.