A Taiwanese female engineer experienced prolonged menstruation for a year due to high work stress; a gynecologist suggested it might be caused by uterine fibroids.

High work stress can easily lead to menstrual irregularities. A 48-year-old female engineer in Taiwan experienced irregular menstruation for over a year, likely due to prolonged work stress and irregular work schedules. After seeking medical help, she was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and recovered after treatment with traditional Chinese medicine. Registered Chinese medicine practitioner Huang Jingjing explained that this condition is known as "metrorrhagia," which has many causes and may be an early symptom of certain precancerous lesions, so it should not be taken lightly.

According to Taiwanese media reports, a 48-year-old female engineer surnamed Wu from Hsinchu experienced prolonged menstruation for over a year due to high work stress and frequent overseas work trips. This caused her to experience symptoms such as pale complexion, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Western medicine diagnosed her with a 3-4 cm uterine fibroid. Hemostatic agents only provided temporary relief, and it took two months of traditional Chinese medicine to restore her normal menstrual cycle.

High work pressure or unknown triggers

In an interview with TOPick, registered Chinese medicine practitioner Huang Jingjing stated that irregular menstruation is called "menorrhagia," with sudden heavy bleeding being called "menorrhagia" and light, persistent spotting being called "leukorrhagia." Women may experience this from menarche until menopause, and it needs to be differentiated from intermenstrual bleeding, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, etc.

There are many causes of metrorrhagia. Dr. Wong points out that high work stress is one of the unknown triggers, while irregular work and rest schedules and smoking are definitely related. Sometimes, exercising beyond one's physical limits can also lead to metrorrhagia. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, metrorrhagia is related to kidney deficiency, blood heat, spleen deficiency, and blood stasis. Sometimes, observing body shape and complexion can also help in diagnosis. If menstruation continues for more than 8 days after menstruation has ended, it is considered metrorrhagia.

If metrorrhagia occurs, Dr. Wong recommends that patients see a doctor for examination and may receive treatment with traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. In terms of lifestyle, patients should maintain regular sleep patterns, avoid cold drinks and spicy or hot foods, eat foods that nourish qi and blood, avoid weight loss, and refrain from excessive exercise and strenuous physical labor. Swimming and sexual activity are also not recommended. She further points out that if metrorrhagia is left untreated, it is most likely to affect fertility and can be an early symptom of certain precancerous lesions, so it should not be taken lightly.

Women aged 50 or older are considered high-risk individuals.

Gynecologist Dr. Law Chi-lim stated in an interview that persistent menstruation in women is caused by hormonal imbalances or uterine fibroids. Generally speaking, more than half of women aged 50 and above have uterine fibroids, which is very common. If uterine fibroids are left untreated, symptoms such as severe anemia, dizziness, and weakness may occur. It is recommended that women experiencing menstrual irregularities consult a specialist as soon as possible.