Mense-Ease™

TCM herbal formula for dysmenorrhea, PMS, PCOS, and endometriosis — analgesic; anti-inflammatory; antispasmodic; invigorates blood circulation; disperses blood stagnation; activates qi circulation; relieves cramping and pain

⚠️ Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Contains Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), which invigorates blood circulation — patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies such as Coumadin (warfarin) should use with caution or not at all due to higher risk of bleeding and bruising.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Pain in various gynecological disorders

* Dysmenorrhea with bloating, cramping, pain, or blood clots

* Menstrual cramping and pain due to endometriosis

* Lower abdominal discomfort and pain due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

* Postpartum pain

Background: Dysmenorrhea is uterine pain associated with menses — starting 1–3 days before menses, peaking 24 hours after onset, and subsiding after 2–3 days. Primary dysmenorrhea is more common, is not associated with structural disorder, and is characterized by pain from uterine contractions and ischemia mediated by prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators. Secondary dysmenorrhea is less common and is usually caused by pelvic abnormalities such as endometriosis, fibroids, and uterine adenomyosis.

TCM perspective: These women's disorders are considered as qi and blood stagnation in the lower jiao. Treatment requires herbs that activate qi and blood circulation, remove qi and blood stagnation, and relieve pain and cramps.

Clinical notes: Resolve (Lower) and Calm can be used one week prior to each menstrual cycle at 2–4 capsules each twice daily to help move qi and blood in the uterus and prepare for smooth shedding of the uterine wall. For most patients, heat pads or moxa (30 minutes or longer) will always relieve pain. Imperial Tonic is an excellent postpartum tonic — women lose a tremendous amount of jing (essence) and blood after labor; start 1–2 weeks after delivery to replenish qi, blood, yin, and yang; also beneficial for nursing mothers. Before tonifying with Imperial Tonic, use Sheng Hua Tang (Generation and Transformation Decoction) for one week to clear residual blood stagnation and prevent future gynecological complications. For cesarean section, Flex (TMX) can be used to relieve pain and facilitate recovery.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis / Corydalis): one of the strongest analgesic herbs — analgesic potency comparable to morphine; effective in both acute and chronic phases of pain and inflammation; commonly used for amenorrhea, menstrual pain, hernial pain, chest and hypochondriac pain, epigastric and abdominal pain, and pain of the extremities; safer than morphine — fewer side effects, less risk of tolerance, no physical dependence even with long-term use

— Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis / Angelica Sinensis / Dong Quai): analgesic and anti-inflammatory — inhibits NO and PGE2; anti-inflammatory 1.1× stronger than aspirin; analgesic 1.7× stronger than aspirin; decreases vascular permeability; dual effect on uterine smooth muscle — induces contraction when uterus is relaxed; promotes relaxation when uterus is contracted; relieves spasms and stops pain

— Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi / Cyperus / Nutgrass): analgesic; anti-inflammatory — inhibits NO, superoxide, and inflammatory mediators (NF-κB, MAPKs); uterine relaxant — inhibitory effect on the uterus; qi regulator — relieves abdominal bloating and distension

— Wu Yao (Radix Linderae / Lindera): anti-inflammatory — inhibits inflammatory mediators (NF-κB, MAPKs); qi regulator — relieves abdominal bloating and distension

— Pu Huang (Pollen Typhae / Cattail Pollen / Typha): excitatory action on the uterus; invigorates blood circulation; relieves pain by eliminating blood stasis; anti-inflammatory — improves circulation and decreases blood vessel permeability

— Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan / Moutan / Peony Bark): anti-inflammatory — inhibits prostaglandin synthesis; decreases blood vessel permeability; vasodilatory — promotes blood circulation; relieves ischemia associated with uterine contraction

— Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi / Cinnamon Twig): vasodilatory — relaxes and dilates blood vessels; promotes blood circulation; relieves ischemia associated with uterine contraction and pain

— Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubrae / Red Peony): antispasmodic — inhibitory effect on smooth muscles of the intestines and uterus; antiplatelet and anticoagulant — treats endometrial clots; sedative and tranquilizing — alleviates irritability, anxiety, and emotional instability

— Ai Ye (Folium Artemisiae Argyi / Mugwort / Moxa): antispasmodic — relaxes smooth muscles; relieves pain

— Hong Hua (Flos Carthami / Safflower / Carthamus): activates blood circulation; removes blood stasis; relieves pain; antiplatelet and anticoagulant — treats endometrial clots

— Tao Ren (Semen Persicae / Peach Kernel): activates blood circulation; removes blood stasis; antiplatelet and anticoagulant — treats endometrial clots

— Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong / Ligusticum Chuanxiong): activates blood circulation; removes blood stasis; relieves pain

— Niu Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae / Achyranthes): activates blood circulation; removes blood stasis; analgesic; guides herbs downward to the lower jiao

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Analgesic — Yan Hu Suo (morphine-comparable, acute and chronic pain); Dang Gui (1.7× aspirin); Xiang Fu; Niu Xi

* Anti-inflammatory — Dang Gui (NO↓, PGE2↓, vascular permeability↓, 1.1× aspirin); Mu Dan Pi (prostaglandin synthesis↓, vessel permeability↓); Pu Huang (circulation↑, vessel permeability↓); Wu Yao + Xiang Fu (NF-κB↓, MAPKs↓, inflammatory mediators↓)

* Antispasmodic / uterine relaxant — Xiang Fu (uterine relaxant); Chi Shao (smooth muscle inhibition — intestines and uterus); Ai Ye (smooth muscle relaxation); Dang Gui (dual uterine regulation — relaxation and contraction)

* Antiplatelet / anticoagulant — Chi Shao + Hong Hua + Tao Ren (endometrial clots)

* Vasodilatory / circulatory — Gui Zhi + Mu Dan Pi (blood vessel dilation, ischemia relief); Pu Huang (circulation↑)

* Sedative / tranquilizing — Chi Shao + Yan Hu Suo (irritability↓, anxiety↓, emotional instability↓)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Relieves cramping and pain (Yan Hu Suo, Dang Gui, Xiang Fu, Niu Xi)

* Invigorates blood circulation; disperses blood stagnation (Pu Huang, Hong Hua, Tao Ren, Chuan Xiong, Chi Shao, Dang Gui, Niu Xi)

* Activates qi circulation; relieves bloating and distension (Xiang Fu, Wu Yao)

* Clears heat; reduces inflammation (Mu Dan Pi)

* Warms channels; promotes circulation; relieves ischemia (Gui Zhi, Ai Ye)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. Severe pain: 5–6 capsules every 4 hours as needed. Best results: combine with Calm and begin herbal treatment 3 days before the first day of menstruation.

Supplementary formulas: Enhance pain relief — add Herbal ANG. PMS, irritability, stress, or emotional disorders — add Calm. Irritability, stress, or insomnia with deficiency — add Calm ZZZ. Cystitis or lower jiao infections — use V-Support with Herbal ABX. Fever and fire signs — add Gardenia Complex. Uterine cysts, ovarian cysts, fibroids, or endometriosis — use Resolve (Lower). Back pain — use Back Support (CR). Menses with blood clots — add Resolve (Lower). Severe blood stagnation — add Circulation (SJ). Infertility — use Blossom (Phase 1–4). Stop bleeding — add Notoginseng 9. Headache with blood deficiency — add Corydalin (CR). Gynecological pain due to scar tissue — add Flex (TMX). Acne — add Dermatrol (Clear).

Nutrition: Avoid cold or sour foods especially one week before and during menstruation — cold and sour foods create more stagnation and worsen pain. Decrease salt, red meat, processed foods, junk food, and high-sodium foods. Avoid caffeine — acts as a stimulant and diuretic that depletes important nutrients. Increase whole-grain foods, broiled chicken, turkey, and fish. Drink large quantities of distilled water daily before, during, and after menstruation. For menstrual cramps due to calcium deficiency — eat foods rich in calcium such as green vegetables, legumes, and seaweeds. Ensure adequate vitamin B complex and vitamin E (important for sex hormone production) and zinc (deficiency may contribute to irregular menstruation). Folk remedy for menstrual pain: sliced ginger stalk + 3 pieces green onion + 30g brown sugar + 3 cups water — bring to boil, cook 5 minutes, add 1 teaspoon white pepper and serve.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): PMS with lower abdominal pain and bloating — make tea from cinnamon and hawthorn berries. Menstrual pain — drink wine prepared with motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) prior to onset of menses (menstrual period may be slightly heavier than usual).

Lifestyle: Avoid sports that expose the body to cold environments (snow skiing, cold-water sports). Hot baths or hot showers aimed at the abdomen help relieve menstrual pain and cramps. Hot compresses on the abdomen increase blood circulation, relax abdominal muscles, and relieve pain. Avoid stress — it can lead to irregular or absent menstruation; engage in stress-reducing activities. Maintain a regular and healthy lifestyle with adequate rest and relaxation. Wear clothes that fully cover the belly and abdomen — avoid exposure to cold and avoid tight pants.

CASE STUDIES

— 44-year-old female (G.E.): Painful menstruation, starts and stops, excessive flow with clotting; deep strong wiry pulse; menorrhagia (Western), blood stasis (TCM). Mense-Ease + Resolve (Lower). Result: resolves pain each time; patient keeps herbs on hand.

— 50-year-old female (L.C.): Macular degeneration, pain one week before menses, waking at night, tinnitus, low back and abdominal pain; bright red to dark brown menses with clots; thready weak pulse, teeth marks, red tongue tip; Liver and Kidney yin deficiencies with qi and blood stagnation in lower jiao. Nourish + Mense-Ease. Result after 2 months: no more pain with menses, felt better overall.

— 27-year-old female (S.T.): PMS with severe cramping and moodiness; choppy pulse, purple tongue; Liver qi and blood stagnation. Mense-Ease 4–6 capsules 3x/day + Calm as needed. Result after 1 cycle: less menstrual pain, less cramping and moodiness; Calm had immediate effectiveness.

— 19-year-old female (S.H.): Cramps, fibrocystic breasts, moodiness, headaches; thready wiry pulse, swollen tongue with yellow coating; Liver blood and Spleen qi deficiencies with Spleen dampness. Mense-Ease. Result: cramps and breast pain dissipated within 24 hours; pain reduced from 8/10 to 4/10; after 2 days, pain at 1/10.

— 27-year-old female office worker: Lower abdominal pain before and during menses, occasional bloody stools; history of chronic yeast infections and endometriosis (resolved by surgery); blood and qi stagnation with damp-heat in lower jiao. Mense-Ease + Resolve (Lower). Result: menstrual pain reduced, rectal bleeding abated.

— 51-year-old female postal worker: Menstrual irregularity for 3 years; moderate pain and heavy bleeding 8 days per cycle; peri-menopausal dysmenorrhea/menorrhagia due to qi and blood stagnation in lower jiao. Mense-Ease 2 capsules with each meal for 2 months. Result: menstrual discomfort improved 75%; excessive bleeding completely resolved.

— 27-year-old female (L.L.): Severe menstrual cramps, numerous dark blood clots, headache, acne breakouts with periods, extreme fatigue (bed-ridden day 1), nausea and vomiting if eating on day 1; BP 110/72, HR 76; dark purple tongue with red dots, thin white coating, slippery thin pulse; Liver blood stagnation with Spleen qi deficiency and Liver qi stagnation. Mense-Ease. Result after 2 weeks: fewer blood clots, no more headaches, normal body temperature, less intense cramping; after 2 months: symptoms decreased 50%; able to function and eat on day 1.

— S.M.: Dysmenorrhea, cramping with dark blood clots, fatigue; purplish pale tongue, slippery slow pulse, pale complexion; qi and blood stagnation. Mense-Ease. Result: relief of lower abdominal pain, reduction in blood clots.

— 28-year-old female dental hygienist: Palpable lump near Zigongxue (Uterus point); severe PMS with emotional disturbance; large dark clots; one week of constant dull left lower abdominal pain after period; history of candida, hypothyroidism, hay fever; right ovary removed 1995; endometriosis removed 1999; left ovarian cysts; scar tissue from hernia operation; deep thready soft pulse; damp-heat in lower jiao with Spleen qi deficiency. Mense-Ease + Resolve (Lower) 3–5 capsules each 3x/day starting 3 days before period through menstrual flow and 1 week after. Result: less emotional; fewer cramps month 1; no pain month 2; lower abdominal pain reduced in intensity, frequency, and area; after 3 months: ultrasound confirmed complete absence of ovarian cysts; Doppler ultrasound showed favorable pulsatility index for uterine blood flow; no blockages in reproductive system.

Related Reading

Also see: Resolve (Lower) – for endometriosis, fibroids, uterine cysts, and ovarian cysts | Calm – for PMS irritability and mood swings | Calm ZZZ – for stress and insomnia with deficiency | Herbal ANG – to enhance analgesia | Imperial Tonic – for postpartum recovery | Notoginseng 9 – to stop bleeding | Circulation (SJ) – for severe blood stagnation | Blossom (Phase 1–4) – for infertility | Back Support (CR) – for menstrual back pain | Flex (TMX) – for post-cesarean recovery and scar tissue pain | V-Support – for vaginitis and lower jiao infections | Women's Health & Hormonal Support Collection.