Chinese Medicine Treatment of Uterine Fibroids and Cysts

Chief Complaint: severe lower abdominal pain, uterine hemorrhage
Western Diagnosis: uterine fibroids, ovarian cyst
Medical History: 47 y.o. female with a history of heavy menses with clots and cramping and increasing in frequency. Occasional hot flashes but after two 2-year courses of estrogen supplementation didn’t want to continue hormone replacement. Frequent bladder infections following intercourse. History of narcotic and alcohol addiction (past) and high blood pressure triggered by anxiety.
Pulse exam: Liver small and not descending to Kidney.
Pain in lower left quadrant of abdomen, sensitive on palpation. Inguinal lymph swelling. Pale complexion.
Tongue exam: Long center crack, very pale body. Red dots at tip.
OM Diagnosis: Dai Mai blockage preventing liver from descending to kidney. Deficient Liver blood leading to heart fire.
Treatment Principle: Drain Dai Mai. Support Liver Blood. Move Blood in lower burner.
Point Prescription: Worked with Dai Mai and Li/GB divergent meridian both with acupuncture and essential oils. Had Pt. use castor oil packs.
Herbal Formula: Worked with modifications of Gui Zhi Fu Ling San, adding among others Gui Ban to keep hot flashes in check, yin chen hao and/or qing hao to help drain latent toxic heat from the dai, and Dan Shen to calm spirit and help move blood. Had patient apply carrot and benzoin EO to Li DM points to consolidate Blood (3 days on 3 days off for several weeks) and mugwort oil to Dai Mai points (with castor oil on abdomen, also 3 days on 3 days off).
Lifestyle Prescription: Recommended yoga stretches for opening psoaz and abdomen, breathing meditation to connect with and move stagnation in uterus and ovaries.
Results: After initial treatment, Pt went in for a scheduled D&C and laparoscopy previously arrange with OBGyn. During surgery, GYN discovered ‘a large ovarian cyst’ and decided to remove entire ovary (!) All bleeding stopped and Pt was told the operation sent her into menopause. In the 5 months since initial treatment and surgery, the menses has returned and normalized in frequency and duration, now with no pain or clotting. Patient no longer has bladder infections following intercourse and no longer experiences anxiety or the associated HBP; she has stopped taking pharmaceuticals for both.
Synopsis: I thought it was a good case because not a lot of people are working with EO’s on extraordinary or divergent vessels and I have been very impressed with the results.