What to Eat to Regulate Menstrual Delay

Generally, for delayed menstruation, one can consume foods such as spinach, black beans, longan, pumpkin, and brown sugar. Additionally, under medical guidance, medications like progesterone capsules, dydrogesterone tablets, motherwort granules, angelica pills, and Wuji Baifeng pills may be taken to regulate the menstrual cycle. Detailed explanations are as follows:

I. Foods

1. Spinach

Spinach is rich in iron and vitamin E. Iron helps prevent iron-deficiency anemia and avoids endocrine disruption caused by anemia. Vitamin E helps regulate hormone levels in the body, assisting in improving delayed menstruation due to hormonal imbalance and providing nutritional support for maintaining a normal menstrual cycle.

2. Black Beans

Black beans contain abundant phytoestrogens, which can mimic the effects of estrogen in the human body and regulate the female endocrine system, especially suitable for delayed menstruation caused by low estrogen levels. Meanwhile, the protein and dietary fiber in black beans can enhance physical strength and provide energy for body metabolism.

3. Longan

Longan helps nourish blood and vital energy (Qi), improving delayed menstruation caused by blood and Qi deficiency. Sufficient blood and Qi can promote blood circulation, maintain normal growth and shedding of the endometrium, help restore regular menstruation, and alleviate discomfort such as fatigue and dizziness caused by Qi and blood deficiency.

4. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is rich in vitamin B6, which participates in hormone synthesis in the body and helps regulate the balance between estrogen and progesterone, reducing menstrual delay caused by hormonal imbalances. In addition, the dietary fiber in pumpkin promotes intestinal motility, improves metabolism, and indirectly assists in regulating the endocrine system.

5. Brown Sugar

Brown sugar promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis while warming the meridians and dispelling cold. It is suitable for delayed menstruation caused by cold exposure or blood stasis. Drinking warm brown sugar water warms the body, promotes pelvic blood circulation, aids in the shedding of the endometrium, alleviates poor menstrual flow, and assists in the smooth arrival of menstruation.

II. Medications

1. Progesterone Capsules

These belong to the progestogen class of medications and can promote the transformation of the endometrium from the proliferative phase to the secretory phase. After discontinuation of the medication, the endometrium loses hormonal support and sheds, resulting in withdrawal bleeding. They are suitable for delayed menstruation caused by insufficient progesterone, such as prolonged cycles due to luteal phase deficiency.

2. Dydrogesterone Tablets

This is also a progestogen medication with effects similar to progesterone but with higher bioavailability and fewer side effects. It can regulate the state of the endometrium and induce menstruation. It is commonly used to treat delayed menstruation caused by endogenous progesterone deficiency, such as oligomenorrhea associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

3. Motherwort Granules

Motherwort granules consist mainly of motherwort and have the effect of promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation. They can promote uterine contraction and improve pelvic blood circulation, helping to expel retained blood in the uterine cavity. They are suitable for delayed menstruation caused by blood stasis and can also alleviate symptoms such as dysmenorrhea and reduced menstrual flow.

4. Angelica Pills

The main ingredient is angelica, which nourishes and activates blood circulation, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain. It is suitable for delayed menstruation caused by blood deficiency and blood stasis. Angelica improves blood and Qi circulation, promotes normal endometrial growth, helps restore a regular menstrual cycle, and improves symptoms such as pallor and fatigue caused by blood deficiency.

5. Wuji Baifeng Pills

This contains ingredients such as black-bone chicken, ginseng, angelica, and other traditional Chinese herbs. It nourishes Qi and blood, regulates menstruation, and stops leukorrhea. It is suitable for delayed menstruation caused by deficiency of both Qi and blood. It comprehensively regulates bodily functions, improves physical condition, helps restore hormonal balance, and regulates the menstrual cycle.

In daily life, one should also maintain good habits and a positive mindset, avoid staying up late, excessive dieting, and reduce mental stress. Keep warm and avoid catching a chill. If menstruation is delayed by more than seven days and occurs frequently, or is accompanied by other discomforts, one should seek medical attention promptly to rule out conditions such as hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome, and follow medical advice for proper regulation and treatment.