Gynecology
Disorders After Childbirth
- Deficiency of blood and/or Yin
- Blood stasis
- External etiological factors invading and irregular diet
< Etiology and pathology of postpartum disorders in TCM >
Postpartum depression occurs in women after they have carried a child, usually in the first few months, and may last up to several months or even a year. Symptoms include sadness, fatigue, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, reduced libido, crying episodes, anxiety, and irritability. It is sometimes assumed that postpartum depression is caused by a lack of vitamins, but studies tend to show that more likely causes are the significant changes in a woman's hormones during pregnancy.
Postpartum depression is easily explained in TCM. The exertion and loss of blood occurring at childbirth induce a state of blood deficiency since the Hearth houses the mind and governs blood. If heart blood becomes deficient, the mind has no residence and it becomes depressed and anxious. And other conditions can be explained with Yin deficiency with empty heat and blood stagnation.
Postpartum body ache refers to pain, ache, soreness, numbness or a feeling of heaviness in the joints, back or knees after childbirth.
Persistent lochial discharge refers to a lochial discharge that goes on for more than 3 weeks after childbirth, or with the color being abnormal.