In traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, herbalists and midwives hail the medicinal herb dong quai as a panacea for women's health. Historically healers have believed that dong quai can ease women's complaints ranging from menstrual cramps and infertility to pregnancy complications and menopause. Although some women use dong quai to treat menorrhagia, or heavy menstruation, there is no evidence that it works. Dong quai may actually worsen menorrhagia and related symptoms.
Menorrhagia Explained
Most women experience unusually heavy menstrual periods on occasion. When these occur rarely and do not significantly interfere with your quality of life, they do not warrant medical attention. However, recurrent menorrhagia can signal the presence of an underlying medical condition, which may require treatment. Common causes of menorrhagia include hormonal imbalances, endometriosis, benign tumors, pregnancy loss, bleeding disorders, cancer and dysfunction of the ovaries. In other cases, heavy periods occur without any specific or identifiable underlying cause.
Dong Quai Benefits
Despite dong quai's extensive history of use as a component of TCM, little scientific evidence supports its use in conventional medicine. According the the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dong quai may help to ease symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which often occurs alongside episodes of menorrhagia. Scientists have also evaluated its potential as a treatment for other menorrhagia-related complications, including anemia and cramping. However, there is not enough evidence to confirm or refute claims of its efficacy.
Worsened Symptoms
Dong quai supplements may worsen symptoms of menorrhagia rather than reducing them. The NIH recognizes dong quai as a potent anticoagulant, or a product that decreases blood clotting. These effects can heighten the risk of bleeding in general. Women taking dong quai may experience more bruising and nosebleeds, along with increased menstrual flow, due to these effects. This could also increase the likelihood of menorrhagia-related complications, such as anemia. For this reason, it is prudent to avoid dong quai if you suffer from heavy menstrual periods.
Other Risks
Dong quai causes several other significant side effects, even in women with no underlying health problems. Dong quai increases skin photosensitivity and can amplify your risk of sunburn and skin cancer. The NIH reports that long-term use of dong quai can alter levels of certain hormones, leading to an increased risk of hormone-related cancers such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer. People with protein S deficiency and hormone-sensitive conditions should not use dong quai. In general, pregnant and nursing women should also avoid the herb due to possible dangers for the baby.
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