Amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation for one or more missed menstrual periods. Pregnancy is the most common reason for amenorrhea in women who are in good health and who are sexually active. There are many other explanations for amenorrhea besides pregnancy. Herbalists have used angelica sinensis, or dong quai, to treat many common gynecological ailments, including amenorrhea, for thousands of years. If you are considering using dong quai to treat amenorrhea, always consult with your physician first.
Dong Quai
Dong quai is a fragrant perennial that grows in the high, damp and cold mountains of Korea, Japan and China. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that herbalists use the root of dong quai to treat absence of periods, premenstrual syndrome, painful menstruation, heart disease, headaches, dilate blood vessels, anemia, reduce pain, stimulate and relax the uterus and relieve the symptoms associated with menopause.
Amenorrhea
There are two types of amenorrhea; the medical community defines primary amenorrhea as a lack of onset of menstruation by the age of 16. This occurs in less than 1 percent of women and most commonly occurs due to lack of reproductive organs, pituitary disorder, hypothalamus problems, chromosomal abnormalities or structural abnormalities of the vagina, according to MayoClinic.com.
Secondary amenorrhea is the most common type of amenorrhea and means a cessation of menstruation after a woman has already menstruated. While the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea is pregnancy, the use of oral contraceptives, breastfeeding, stress and certain medications can all cause the disorder. Other potential causes include low body weight, thyroid malfunction, excessive exercise, uterine scarring, primary ovarian insufficiency and hormonal imbalance. All of these conditions interfere with the hormones associated with menstruation.
Dong Quai and Amenorrhea
Dong quai purportedly contains estrogen-like substances making it helpful in treating certain gynecological ailments, such as amenorrhea. Unfortunately, as of 2010, there is little clinical evidence supporting the use of dong quai to treat amenorrhea using dong quai. You should never use dong quai or any other herbal supplement without discussing the risks and benefits with your physician.
Warnings
Dong quai may have anticoagulant properties that, when taken with other anticoagulant medications, may increase the risk of bleeding. Several herbal supplements have anticoagulant properties including feverfew, ginseng, gingko, Chinese skullcap and ginger. Taking these herbs with dong quai may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. You should take care to ensure you are not pregnant before taking dong quai as it stimulates uterine contractions and may induce a miscarriage or early labor. In large doses, dong quai can increase sensitivity to sunlight and may cause fever and gynecomastia.
Considerations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not evaluate dong quai for safety, efficacy or purity. Drugs.com explains that some herbal supplements may contain toxic metals or traces of other medications. Always use a certified herbalist or holistic practitioners to purchase herbal supplements.
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