李氏曰∶心主血，故以色红为正，虽不对期，而色正者易调。其色紫者，风也，四物加荆、防、白芷。黑
者热甚也，四物加芩、连、香附。淡白者虚也，有挟痰停水以混之，芎归汤加参、 、白芍、香附。有痰者，二
陈加芎、归。如烟尘水，如屋漏水者，二陈加秦艽、防风、苍术。如豆汁者，四物加芩、连。或带黄混浊者，
湿痰也。成块作片色不变者，气滞也，四物加香附、胡索、枳壳、陈皮。色变紫黑者，血热也。
慎斋按∶以上七条，序经水有先期过期之候，有属热属寒之分，有色黑色淡之辨，凡此皆经候不调之所属
也。
陈良甫曰∶经来腹痛，由风冷客于胞络冲任，或伤手太阳、手少阴二经，用温经汤加桂枝、桃仁。若忧思
气郁而血滞，用桂枝桃仁汤、地黄通经丸。若血结成块，用万病丸。
滑伯仁曰∶有经行前脐腹绞痛如刺，寒热交作，下如黑豆汁，两尺沉涩，余皆弦急，此由下焦寒湿之邪，
抟于冲任。冲为血海，任主胞胎，为妇人之血室。经事来，邪与血争，故作 痛。寒湿生浊，下如豆汁，宜治
下焦，以辛散苦温血药治之。
王海藏曰∶经事欲行，脐腹绞痛者，血涩也，宜八物汤加木香、槟榔、胡索、苦楝。
朱丹溪曰∶经将行腹痛，属气之滞，用香附、青皮、桃仁、胡索、黄连，又用抑气散、四物加胡索、丹皮、
条芩。又曰∶经将来，腹中阵痛，乍作乍止者，血热气实也，四物加黄连、丹皮。
Li stated: The Heart governs blood, so a red color is considered normal. Even if the cycle is irregular, if the color is normal, it is easy to regulate. A purple color indicates wind pathogen; add Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), and Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) to Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction). A black color indicates extreme heat; add Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Lianzi (Coptidis Rhizoma), and Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma) to Siwu Tang. A pale white color indicates deficiency; if mixed with phlegm-dampness or retained water, use Xionggui Tang (Ligusticum and Angelica Decoction) added with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), [missing character in original, likely Qihuangqi or similar], Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), and Xiangfu. If there is phlegm, use Erchen Tang (Two Aged Things Decoction) added with Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix). If the discharge resembles muddy water or roof leakage, use Erchen Tang added with Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), and Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma). If it resembles bean juice, use Siwu Tang added with Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Lianzi (Coptidis Rhizoma). If it is yellowish and turbid, it is due to damp-phlegm. Clots forming pieces without color change indicate qi stagnation; add Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Yuhu (Curcumae Radix), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), and Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) to Siwu Tang. A color changing to purple-black indicates blood-heat.
Shen Zhai commented: The above seven points describe conditions of early or delayed menstruation, distinctions between heat and cold patterns, and differences in dark or pale colors. All these belong to the category of irregular menstruation.
The Jia Yi Jing states: When a woman has masses in the uterus and cold at the vaginal opening, causing pain radiating to the patella and thigh, Shuidao (ST28) is indicated for treatment.
Chen Liangfu stated: Abdominal pain during menstruation is caused by wind-cold pathogens invading the uterine collaterals and the Chong and Ren vessels, or damaging the Hand-Taiyang and Hand-Shaoyin meridians. Use Wenjing Tang (Warming the Meridian Decoction) added with Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and Taoren (Prunus Persica Seed). If sorrow and worry cause qi depression and blood stasis, use Guizhi Tao Ren Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Peach Kernel Decoction) or Dihuang Tongjing Wan (Rehmannia Menstruation-Unblocking Pill). If blood coagulates into clots, use Wanbing Wan (Ten Thousand Diseases Pill).
Hua Borén stated: Some women experience colicky, stabbing pain in the umbilical and abdominal region before menstruation, accompanied by alternating chills and fever, and dark bean-jice-like discharge. The radial pulses at both chi positions are deep and choppy, while other pulses are wiry and urgent. This is caused by cold-damp pathogens from the lower jiao binding with the Chong and Ren vessels. The Chong vessel is the Sea of Blood, and the Ren vessel governs conception and pregnancy; together they constitute the blood chamber of women. During menstruation, the pathogen contends with the blood, causing pain. Cold-damp generates turbidity, leading to discharge resembling bean juice. Treatment should focus on the lower jiao using acrid-dispersing and bitter-warm blood-invigorating herbs.
Wang Haicang stated: Colicky pain in the umbilical and abdominal region just before menstruation indicates sluggish blood flow. Bawu Tang (Eight Substances Decoction) added with Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Binglang (Arecae Semen), Yuhu (Curcumae Radix), and Koushen (Meliae Cortex) is appropriate.
Zhu Danxi stated: Abdominal pain just before menstruation belongs to qi stagnation. Use Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), Taoren (Prunus Persica Seed), Yuhu (Curcumae Radix), and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma). Also use Yiqi San (Qi-Suppressing Powder) or Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Yuhu (Curcumae Radix), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix). He also stated: Intermittent abdominal pain that comes and goes just before menstruation indicates blood-heat and qi excess. Use Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and Danpi (Moutan Cortex).