[Comparative study of menstruation in 240 healthy women at various altitudes]

To assess the relation of menstrual physiologic functions and altitudes, the authors made a comparative study of 240 healthy women with four diagnostic methods on traditional Chinese medicine and obtained their menstrual changes, picture of tongue and type of pulse in Xining (2260m) and Yushu Zhaduo (4300m). The results suggested that the menarche which occurred before 15 years old (P less than 0.005), the menstruation cycle of 16-25 days (P less than 0.05), and moderate quantity menstruation (P less than 0.005) are found more in the Xining group than in the Zhaduo group; the menstrual phase in the Xining group lasted 4-7 days and 1-3 in the Zhaduo group. The incidence of abdominal pain, cold, and lumbago increased significantly in the Zhaduo group and the symptoms were serious. The age of menostasia after 46 was 100% in the Xining group, whereas 27.3% of the Zhaduo group had menostasia at the age of 36-45. The colour of tongue varied from darker red to pink with increasing altitudes (P less than 0.005). Meanwhile, cases of rapid pulse increased (P less than 0.005). It is concluded that the physiology of menstruation for healthy women has obviously changed under high altitude hypoxic environment. The mechanism of pathology could be explained by dysfunction of Zang and Fu, deficiency of Qi, stagnation of blood and Qi stasis due to cold. Treatment and prevention of menstrual disorders of women at high altitudes could be carried out by invigorating Qi, regulating blood, promoting the flow of Qi, by warming the channel and regulating Zang and Fu, etc.