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There are four hundred and four types of diseases in the human body. Women's conditions are no different from men's, except for menstruation, conception, pregnancy and postpartum periods, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis (bleeding disorders), leukorrhea (vaginal discharge), mastitis (breast inflammation), and vulvar sores, which are considered private matters within the boudoir. As Sun Simiao stated, treating women's diseases is twice as difficult as treating men's, which refers 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, permeates and irrigates the Yang meridians, and descends into the feet, serving as the Sea of the Twelve Meridians. Its entry and exit all proceed through the Foot Shaoyin Meridian, thus it is called the Sea of Blood. However, the Chong, Ren, and Du vessels share one source but branch into three. The Chong vessel ascends from behind the lower abdomen on both sides of the navel, follows the front of the abdomen under the governance of the Ren vessel, acting as the general assembly of Yin vessels. The Ren and Du vessels originate from the lower abdomen and follow the back, with the Du vessel governing the rear, acting as the outline of Yang vessels.

The Chong vessel is the Sea of Blood, where Qi and Blood from various meridians converge and diverge. In men, it is moved and circulated; in women, it stops and remains static. "Movement" implies no accumulation and a state of dynamic fullness. "Stopping" implies accumulation leading to fullness and a state of static stability. When not full, it overflows at its proper time, termed "Xin" (regularity). Men operate by Qi, so Yang Qi responds to the daily cycle with one emission. Women fill with Blood, so Yin Blood responds to the monthly cycle with one descent.

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 exists because the Qi and Blood of the Twelve Meridians are all like this, not just the Sea of Blood itself. Thus, menstruation can begin.

The Ren vessel originates below Zhongji (CV3), ascends above the pubic hair line, follows inside the abdomen, reaches Guanyuan (CV4), and arrives at the throat, hence it is called the "Sea of Yin Vessels." "Ren" means gestation. This is the beginning of human reproduction, hence the name Ren vessel. The Du vessel originates at Changqiang (GV1, also referred to as Xiaji Zhi Shu), runs parallel within the spine, ascends to Fengfu (GV16), enters the brain, goes up to the vertex, follows the forehead to the nasal bridge. "Du" means "capital" or "general," making it the outline of Yang vessels. Hence it is called the "Sea of Yang Vessels." The Ren vessel 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 occurs on time.

Women's menstrual water is rooted in four meridians: two are the Chong and Ren vessels, and the other two are the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian and the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. However, the Chong is the Sea of Blood, and the Ren governs conception; these two vessels support each other, enabling conception. 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 superior and menstrual water when inferior. (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 Weilu area.)

The *Classic* says: At age fourteen (two sevens), Tian Gui arrives in women. "Tian" refers to Heavenly True Qi; "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 the Chong as the Sea of Blood and the Ren governing conception, as these two vessels flow smoothly and menstrual blood gradually fills, it descends on schedule, and Heavenly True Qi descends, hence it is called Tian Gui. It usually comes once every thirty days to symbolize the moon; when full, it wanes, never missing its period, hence it is called Yue Xin (Monthly Trust/Regularity). The reason it is named Tian Gui is because it compares 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 menstruation is Tian Gui is incorrect. The Jing of both men and women can be called Tian Gui; if women's blood is Tian Gui, then is men's Tian Gui also blood? Both men and women have Jing during intercourse, but blood only appears during menstruation; it is unheard of to refer to blood during intercourse. Only women's Jing arrives at age fourteen, and their menstruation coincides with this timing.

Men are Yang, containing Yin within; the number for Yin is eight. Thus, at age eight (one eight), Yang Jing rises; at age sixteen (two eights), Yang Jing overflows. Women are Yin, containing Yang within; the number for Yang is seven. Thus, at age seven (one seven), Yin Jing rises; at age fourteen (two sevens), Yin Blood overflows. All of this is the essence derived from the five flavors of food and drink. The *Classic* says: Food enters the stomach, its Qi and Essence overflow and are transported upward to the Spleen. The Spleen scatters the Essence, sending it upward to the Lung, which regulates water passages and transports it downward to the Bladder. Water Essence distributes in four directions, 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 harmonious, menstruation will be normal. If internal injury from the Seven Emotions, invasion by the 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 it is said that the Spleen controls Blood. For any blood disease, sweet-warm medicines should be used to assist Yang Qi and generate Yin Blood.

Blood is the refined Essence of food and drink. It harmonizes the Five Zang organs and spreads to the Six Fu organs. In men, it transforms into Jing; in women, it becomes milk superiorly and menstrual water inferiorly. Therefore, although the Heart governs Blood and the Liver stores Blood, they are actually 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 in girls, illnesses mostly stem from the Heart and Spleen; after Tian Gui arrives, illnesses mostly stem from the Liver and Kidneys.

Women's menstrual water and milk are both generated by the Spleen and Stomach. When 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 flows into the Chong and Ren vessels to become menstrual water. Menstrual water is Yin Water. Yin must follow Yang, hence its color is red, inheriting the color of Fire. The Chong is the Sea of Blood, and the Ren governs conception. If male Jing is exchanged during intercourse, Yin and Yang combine to form pregnancy, then this Blood is transferred to the Yin to nourish the fetus. After childbirth, the pure and clear fluid Qi in 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 openings of the Yangming do not unblock, and the fluid Qi in the Stomach still returns to the vessels, turns red, and becomes menstrual water in the abdomen.

Both men and women have Jing. Any lack of restraint in sexual activity can severely damage Jing and Qi, hence it is said that depletion of Jing kills. Unfortunately, what people discuss focuses solely on men, ignoring texts that state women's desires exceed those of husbands, and they are prone to diseases twice as much as men. Moreover, postpartum conditions, leukorrhea, and the thirty-six diseases damage Qi and Blood, involving numerous complex symptoms. Therefore, women especially should keep their hearts clear and restrain desires, which is the primary method for regulating menstruation and dispelling disease.