Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Pediatric Precocious Puberty
Importantly, this medication has only been used for the treatment of precocious puberty for about two to three decades both domestically and internationally. Long-term side effect data is very limited, and regular follow-up monitoring is necessary. Therefore, parents must be cautious.
No matter the symptom, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) often has a solution. Today, we’ll discuss the TCM diagnosis and treatment of pediatric precocious puberty.
Currently, the medication used in hospitals for treating precocious puberty is known as “gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists.” Its primary function is to lower the secretion of pituitary gonadotropins by reducing regulation, allowing estrogen levels to return to pre-pubertal levels. This delays the onset of menstruation, delays bone age progression, and improves adult height. This is commonly referred to as “inhibitory therapy.”
Importantly, this medication has only been used for the treatment of precocious puberty for about two to three decades both domestically and internationally. Long-term side effect data is very limited, and regular follow-up monitoring is necessary. Therefore, parents must be cautious.
So, how does traditional Chinese medicine view this issue?
TCM emphasizes the harmony of Yin and Yang. Just as “all things carry Yin and hold Yang, they blend their vital breaths to achieve harmony,” the development of the body follows this principle. When there is disharmony between Yin and Yang, there may be an excess of one and a deficiency of the other. In such cases, we need to harmonize Yin and Yang, pacify the excess, and support the deficiency.
Among the five Zang organs, the Liver and Kidneys are responsible for reproductive development. If precocious puberty occurs, it is mainly related to Kidney deficiency and Liver dysfunction, leading to three common TCM patterns, which you can refer to:
1. Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency Type
Symptoms: In girls, bilateral breast development occurs, with darkening of the areolas, the onset of menstruation, increased vaginal discharge. In boys, there might be erections, irritability, restlessness, sweating, thirst, redness of the face, a red tongue, and a rapid pulse.
This pattern is characterized by the rising of deficient Yang due to Kidney and Liver Yin deficiency. When Liver and Kidney Yin are insufficient, the Yin can’t restrain the Yang, resulting in signs of precocious puberty such as breast development and erections. If the Yin deficiency is more pronounced, symptoms like restlessness, sweating, and thirst can be observed.
Treatment Principles: Nourish Liver and Kidney Yin, clear Heat, and relieve Fire.
Prescription: Zhibai Dihuang Wan (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pill) with modifications.
For heavy vaginal discharge, add Baizhu and Qianshi to invigorate the Spleen and eliminate dampness; for bleeding from the vagina, add Han Liancao and Xianhecao to cool the blood and stop bleeding.
2. Damp-Heat in the Liver Meridian Type
Symptoms: In girls, bilateral breast development occurs, accompanied by a heavy, foul-smelling vaginal discharge. The labia minora darken. In boys, there might be erections, irritability, restlessness, a red tongue with a yellow, greasy coating, and a rapid pulse.
This pattern is related to dietary imbalances and the accumulation of Damp-Heat in the Liver meridian. The Liver meridian runs along the sides of the abdomen, passing around the genitals. When it becomes congested and overheated, it can lead to precocious puberty symptoms like breast development and erections. The Fire from the Liver often leads to irritability.
Treatment Principles: Clear Heat, resolve dampness, soothe the Liver, and drain Fire.
Prescription: Longdan Xiegan Wan (Gentiana Drain Liver Pill) with modifications. If there is irritability and restlessness, add Jiawei Xiaoyao Wan to soothe the Liver and invigorate the Spleen.
3. Phlegm-Damp Accumulation in the Spleen Type
Symptoms: Secondary sexual characteristics appear prematurely, accompanied by a tendency to be overweight, low activity levels, and laziness. There might be nausea, aversion to food, mental dullness, hard masses in the breasts in girls, and increased vaginal discharge. The tongue coating is greasy, and the pulse is slippery.
This pattern is due to Spleen deficiency, leading to the accumulation of Damp-Phlegm. The Spleen is responsible for postnatal development and transformation of food into Qi and blood. When it is weak, Damp-Phlegm accumulates, leading to excess body fat and developmental issues. The Phlegm-Dampness can descend and manifest as vaginal discharge.
Treatment Principles: Strengthen the Spleen, eliminate Dampness, and resolve Phlegm.
Prescription: Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction).
If there are hard masses in the breasts, add Tianhuafen and Shengmuli to clear heat and resolve lumps.
There may be other patterns as well, as children’s constitutions, eating habits, and living environments can vary. Therefore, if precocious puberty occurs, parents should promptly seek TCM treatment, especially in the early stages, where there’s usually a better chance of success.
What TCM does is harmonize Yin and Yang; it doesn’t interfere with a child’s endocrine system. Even if the treatment doesn’t have a very pronounced effect, at the very least, it won’t leave any lasting side effects that could affect a child throughout their life.
No two people in the world are exactly the same, and children do not all have to experience their secondary sexual characteristics after the age of 13. Regardless of when it occurs, as long as a child’s condition is healthy, there’s no need to be overly concerned. If there’s any discomfort, symptoms can be managed, but it’s crucial not to be misled by so-called test results and resort to the misuse of hormones.
Please remember that TCM diagnoses and treatments should always be carried out by qualified TCM practitioners. It’s important for parents to consult a healthcare professional for proper guidance when dealing with issues like pediatric precocious puberty.
Original article by admin, if reproduced, please cite the source as: https://www.tcmha.com/tcmhealthcare/traditional-chinese-medicine-treatment-for-pediatric-precocious-puberty.html
相关推荐
-
Chinese medicine health: from the belly button to see the state of health
Why is the navel an important point for health? In Chinese medicine treatment and health, we can often see the navel massage, or umbilical agent such a method, why the navel can play such a health benefits, and what are the points of attention? The ancients have “umbilicus for the five viscera and six internal organs, the root of the return of energy,” said. And in Chinese medicine, the navel is an important acupuncture point – Shen Que point is located, and this part of the skin is very weak….
-
The Surprising Benefits of Mugwort Moxibustion Sticks
While mugwort moxibustion offers numerous benefits, certain contraindications exist, and it is not advisable for use by pregnant women, individuals with hypertension, or those with heart conditions. It is recommended to consult a doctor or traditional Chinese medicine practitioner before use. Additionally, attention to safety and hygiene is essential to prevent burns or other accidents during the use of mugwort moxibustion.
-
What to do if you swallow a fishbone by mistake? Drinking vinegar doesn’t work, TCM recommends this
Dr. Liu emphasized that it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment when swallowing a foreign body by mistake, to avoid small foreign bodies causing big problems. In most cases, after swallowing a foreign body timely consultation can be found through routine physical examination and related auxiliary examination of the location of the foreign body, and through relevant means to remove the foreign body.
-
Key period for health preservation? Better health effects within half an hour after a meal!
According to Chinese medicine, the half hour after a meal is the key period for health preservation. Some self-healing methods performed within half an hour after a meal can enhance the vital energy and achieve better health effects.
-
[Health] Chinese medicine doctors do not eat things
Meat we often eat, but some meat can not eat, do you know all these? Poultry wingtips Chicken, duck, goose and other poultry wing tip is the lymph gland concentration, because the macrophages in the lymph gland can swallow germs and viruses, even carcinogenic substances can also be swallowed, but can not be decomposed, so the bird tip wing is a “warehouse” of dirt and grime. Creek Crab The doctor especially reminded that some vendors pushing carts selling small fried crabs dressed in bunches, this kind of crab should not…
-
Chinese medicine teaches you how to regulate the stomach and intestines in late spring and early summer
echnology. It has a long history, and because of modern technology, Chinese medicine has made unprecedented progress. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, how to regulate the stomach and intestines?
-
Frequent nighttime dreaming and snoring in bed, how should TCM treat them?
What is dreaming? The understanding of dreaming in Chinese medicine Dreaming is equivalent to human instinct, everyone has dreams, only the difference between more and less, good and bad, remembering and not remembering. In Chinese medicine, there are two kinds of dreams, one is with external evil, “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” records: “The Yellow Emperor said: I would like to hear about the pandemonium of evil, what? Qibo said: the positive evil attacked from the outside, and there is no fixed house, anti-perverted in the body, can…
-
The root cause of allergic rhinitis lies in the five viscera. Regulate the five organs to treat the disease!
Allergic rhinitis is caused by contact with allergic substances such as pollen or dust mites and is characterized by a runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose, and itchy eyes. According to Chinese medicine, allergic rhinitis is closely related to the five organs, so the focus of treatment is to regulate the five organs.
-
Lung nodules are not scary? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a great way of recognizing and treating them!
Lung nodule patients should be treated in a scientific and standardized way, and at the same time, do a good job in life management, eat less or not eat spicy stimulation, so as not to damage the spleen and stomach, resulting in phlegm and dampness, and also should eat less fried and glutinous rice and other indigestible food.
-
(Chinese medicine health care) Simple and easy to learn to strengthen the kidneys and health care method
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the kidney is the source of life, and when the kidney is full, it is energetic, strong, light and agile, but when the kidney is deficient, the yang is weak, the waist and knees are sore and weak, and it is easy to feel wind and cold and have diseases. There are yin deficiency and yang deficiency in kidney deficiency disease. For kidney yin deficiency, there are symptoms such as lung heat, dry throat, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, dizziness and tinnitus,…
