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Generally speaking, in treating diseases, one must first discuss the primary focus. For men, regulation focuses on Qi (vital energy); for women, it focuses on Blood. Qi and Blood are the spirit of human life and must be carefully regulated and protected.

However, women take Blood as their fundamental basis. When Qi and Blood circulate freely, the spirit remains clear. The so-called "Blood Chamber" (uterus/blood reservoir), if not stagnant, ensures harmonious Qi; if Blood coagulates, Fire and Water (Yin and Yang) will punish each other (clash).

When menstruation arrives on schedule, it is called "Monthly Trust" (regular menstruation). If instead Blood coagulates to form pregnancy, this is the normal state of regulation and adjustment. If the Blood does not come, it is because Wind-Heat has injured the meridians and Blood, causing Blood obstruction. Or, due to external contraction of Wind-Cold and internal reception of Evil Heat, with Spleen-Stomach weakness leading to poor appetite. Since food intake is insufficient, Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi are suppressed, resulting in yellowish, dry skin, lackluster complexion, intermittent chills and fever, abdominal distension and pain, and difficulty conceiving. Cold or heat in the Child-Bearing Palace (uterus), over time causing labor and damage, will inevitably accompany leukorrhea, frequent dribbling urination, and suddenly lead to Bang-Lou (metrorrhagia and metrostaxis). The Classics state: A mass in the abdomen that gathers and scatters intermittently indicates a Zheng (fixed mass/stasis); when Blood is exhausted and does not flow but beats/palpates, accompanied by abdominal distension and intermittent chills/fever, this forms a Jia (mobile mass/gas accumulation). Whether periods arrive early or late, though flowing, whether abundant or scanty, investigating the source of the disease reveals it stems from here.

It is said: Menstruation is a regular indicator, used to observe the deviation and hiding of Yin and Yang throughout the body, thereby knowing safety and danger. Thus, it must arrive monthly. Excess or deficiency both constitute irregularity. Excess Yang leads to early arrival; excess Yin leads to delayed arrival. Cases of fluctuating volume, cessation of flow, or continuous bleeding also result from the decline and flourishing of Yin and Yang, and pathogenic Cold and Heat, as detailed below.

Regarding irregular menstruation in women, it arises from fatigue injuring Qi and Blood, leading to physical weakness, allowing Wind-Cold Qi to take advantage. If Wind-Cold Qi lodges in the interior of the Bao (uterus), injuring the Chong (Penetrating) and Ren (Conception) vessels, it damages the Hand-Taiyang (Small Intestine) and Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) meridians. The Chong and Ren vessels both originate in the Bao and are known as the Sea of Meridians. The Hand-Taiyang meridian belongs to the Small Intestine, and the Hand-Shaoyin meridian belongs to the Heart; these two meridians are exterior-interior pairs, governing the upper transformation into milk and the lower transformation into menstruation. Therefore, menstruation is the surplus of the meridians' Blood. If Cold and Heat are harmonized, the Qi of the Chong and Ren vessels becomes vigorous, and the Blood generated by the Taiyang and Shaoyin flows freely according to time. If Cold and Warmth are mismatched, the meridians become deficient. If Wind-Cold enters, taking advantage of deficiency, the Evil combats with Blood; if Cold, Blood coagulates; if Warm, Blood dissipates. Hence, menstruation fluctuates in volume, thus termed irregular.