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Every three to five days before menstruation, pain occurs below the umbilicus, feeling like a knife stab. There may be alternating chills and fever, and dark fluid resembling black bean juice is discharged from the vagina. This is caused by Dampness (Shi). As the menstrual blood attempts to emerge, it is forced out by the Dampness; the struggle between the two causes pain. The coagulation of Cold Qi (Han) leads to this stabbing pain. The patient must have cold feet year-round and heaviness in the lower body. Master Fu has a formula called Wenyu Huashi Tang (Warming the Umbilicus and Transforming Dampness Decoction).

Ingredients: Prepared Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Zhi Baizhu), Stir-fried Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma (Chao Shanyao), Stir-fried Dolichoris Semen (Chao Biandou), Jian Lotus Seed with Lotus Plumule (Jian Lianzi - use plumule), Poria (Baifuling), Morindae Officinalis Radix (Bajirou), White Ginkgo Nut (Baiguo, crushed).
Take four or five doses starting ten days before menstruation. It is proposed to add Evodiae Fructus (Dan Wuzhuyu) and Artemisiae Argyi Folium (Qi Aiye) as adjunct herbs.

Some women experience discharge of water for three days before their menstruation begins. This is due to Spleen Deficiency (Pi Xu). When the Spleen is deficient and fails to transport, fluids are not transformed into essence but into water. When the Spleen is deficient and fails to contain, as the menstrual blood is about to descend, Spleen-Dampness leaks out first. Treatment should focus on strengthening the Spleen and tonifying Qi, using Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction). If there is loose stool, add Myristicae Semen (Rouguo) as the main herb; if there is food stagnation, add Medicated Leaven (Shenqu).
Ingredients: Roasted Codonopsis Radix (Zhi Ludangshen), Roasted Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Zhi Gancao), Tangerine Peel (Guang Chenpi), Prepared Atractylodis Rhizoma (Zhi Yushu), Poria (Baifuling), Processed Pinelliae Tuber (Fa Banxia).

Zhujian Sheng said: In compiling my book *Nüke Jiyao* (Essentials of Gynecology), I begin with regulating menstruation. There are five categories under this topic, totaling twenty-four clauses, covering the principles comprehensively. Those seeking knowledge in gynecology should not forget this primary principle, and they will likely succeed. If there are areas not fully understood, refer to the section on Regulating Blood, and you will surely gain insight.

Supplementary Note: If menstruation arrives early, is purple in color, and abundant, accompanied by dry throat, dizziness, vertigo, lower back pain, soreness of sinews, weakness, a floating and large pulse, and constipation, this indicates Blood failing to return to its vessels and overflowing with Tian Gui (menstrual essence). It should be treated as Hemorrhage (Shi Xue). The treatment methods are detailed later in the Regulating Blood section.

Zhujian Sheng said: Regarding the discussion of leukorrhea (Dai Xia) in women by past sages, only at the end of the Ming Dynasty did Fu Shan (courtesy name Qingzhu) of Yangqu discuss it most extensively and precisely. I excerpted his discussions and greatly expanded upon my own views, placing them at the beginning of the chapter on Dai Syndromes.
All Dai syndromes belong to Dampness. They are named specifically "Dai" because they injure the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel), posing a great danger, serving as a warning akin to the hexagram Kun's initial line: "Treading on frost, solid ice comes soon." Dampness is merely one of the Six Exogenous Pathogens (Liu Yin); why exaggerate its significance so much? One must understand that when Dampness forms Dai disease, it is incomparable to ordinary Dampness. The pathogen arises from the Spleen, travels through the fatty membranes of the Spleen, moves into the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), descends through the Dai Mai, and pours into the Bao Gong (Uterus). Thus, it leaks continuously, thick and sticky with a fishy odor; this is what is meant by Dai Xia syndrome.
Initially, the disease causes little suffering, merely causing disgust due to the foul nature. However, the Bao Gong is connected above to the Heart and below to the Kidney, a place where Fire and Water meet and interact. Long-term occupation by Turbid Dampness obstructs the mutual interaction and transformation of the three vessels (Chong, Ren, Du), thereby harming the menstrual blood.
Furthermore, the Du Mai (Governor Vessel) represents Heaven, and the Ren Mai represents Earth. When Heaven and Earth interact smoothly, all things are generated. The Dai Mai encircles and constrains, acting like the four dimensions supporting the two poles. It protects the Bao Gong just as the four great rivers protect China. The Chong Mai operates within, forming the Trinity of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity—this is the concept that the human body is a microcosm. Now, Damp Pathogens move within the Dai Mai, obstructing the smooth interaction and harming the harmony of Heaven and Earth. The Du Mai governs the generation of Essence (Jing), and the Ren Mai governs the generation of Blood. Injury to these two vessels depletes the source of Jing and Blood. Is this not the harm caused by Dai syndromes? Does this not illustrate the principle of seeing frost and knowing solid ice is coming?
Nevertheless, if planned for early, the condition can transform from Pi (Injury) to Fu (Return), then to Lin (Approach), and finally to Tai (Peace), allowing the vibrant energy of Spring to arise. This aligns with the meaning of moving from Qi to Lu, and from Lu to Dao.