The pain can spread over the whole abdomen, the lumbo-sacral region, or there is dragging pain in the vulva and anus. It varies in degrees and can be relieved when the menstrual blood flows smoothly. Pain beginning before or during the period suggests excess. Pain beginning at the end or after the period suggests deficiency.
Pressure making the pain worse suggests excess.
Pressure making the pain better suggests deficiency. Stagnation of Qi and Blood Lower abdominal pain during, or one to two days before, the period, feelings of distention and tenderness in the abdomen and breasts, hesitant start of menstrual flow, pain relieved after passing clots, pre-menstrual tension and irritability. Stagnation of cold Lower abdominal pain several days before the period or during the period. Pain relieved by the application of heat, feelings of cold in the abdomen, and sore back. Damp Heat attacking the lower Jiao Hypogastric pain before or during the period, burning sensation extending to the sacrum, feeling of heat, vaginal discharge, scanty-dark urine.