What Does "Zhengjia" Mean?

Gynecological diseases come in various forms, including inflammation, masses, and pain. To effectively address these issues, it is crucial to identify the underlying causes based on the symptoms presented. Two common approaches to diagnosing and treating gynecological conditions are Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

In TCM, a specific condition known as "zheng jia" is sometimes diagnosed in women. However, this term may be unfamiliar and difficult to understand for many. Let's explore what "zheng jia" means and how it is treated.

In gynecology, "zheng jia" refers to a condition characterized by abdominal masses or lumps. The term "zheng" describes masses that are hard and fixed in position, with pain localized to a specific area. In contrast, "jia" refers to masses that are movable and variable in size, often accompanied by pain that is not fixed in location.

Zheng jia covers a range of benign gynecological tumors and is considered a common and sometimes challenging gynecological condition. It is often caused by imbalances in the viscera, blockage of qi and blood, and the formation of blood stasis. The syndrome manifestations commonly include qi stagnation, blood stasis, damp-heat, and phlegm-dampness.

The formation of zheng jia is often associated with weakness of vital qi, disharmony of the viscera, blockage of qi movement, retention of blood stasis, and accumulation of qi and blood. The syndrome manifestations of zheng jia are typically categorized into four types: qi stagnation, blood stasis, phlegm-dampness, and toxic heat.

The treatment of zheng jia varies depending on the specific syndrome manifestations. Let's explore the treatments for each type:

Symptoms include abdominal masses that are not firm and movable, intermittent pain that varies in location, abdominal distension, chest tightness, mental depression, irregular menstruation, red tongue with thin coating, and deep, taut pulse.

Treatment principles: Soothe the liver and resolve qi stagnation, promote qi flow to dissipate masses.

Prescription: Jin Gui Fu Kang Pill. Ingredients include Angelica sinensis, Curcuma aromatica, Safflower, Chrysanthemum indicum, Cyperus rotundus, Sparganium stoloniferum, Laminaria japonica, Corydalis yanhusuo, Foeniculum vulgare, Boswellia serrata, Myrrha, Patrinia villosa, Oldenlandia diffusa, and Pangolin scales.

Symptoms include abdominal masses that are hard and fixed, pain that is resistant to pressure, dry skin, decreased thirst, delayed menstruation or prolonged bleeding, dark complexion, purple tongue with thick and dry coating, and deep, sluggish pulse.

Treatment principles: Activate blood circulation to break up blood stasis, dissipate masses and resolve zheng jia.

Prescription: Guizhi Fuling Pill. Ingredients include Cinnamon twig, Poria cocos, Cortex moutan, Semen persicae, and Radix paeoniae rubra.

Symptoms include abdominal masses that are not firm and intermittent pain, excessive vaginal discharge with white, sticky consistency, chest and epigastric fullness, nausea, irregular menstruation, pale and swollen tongue with white, greasy coating, and taut and slippery pulse.

Treatment principles: Eliminate dampness and resolve phlegm, dissipate masses and resolve zheng jia.

Prescription: Sanju Tang. Ingredients include Pinellia ternata, Pericarpium citri reticulatae, Poria cocos, Angelica sinensis, Semen armeniacae amarae, Cinnamonum cassia, Areca catechu, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

Symptoms include abdominal masses that are painful and resistant to pressure, lower abdominal and lumbar pain, excessive vaginal discharge with yellow or mixed colors, possibly accompanied by premature or delayed menstruation, heavy bleeding, worsened premenstrual pain, irritability, fever, thirst, constipation, yellow urine, red tongue with yellow, greasy coating, and taut and rapid pulse