Can I still receive a consultation if I don't have my menstrual records?

Yes. You can start by describing the most recent changes you remember and your most uncomfortable symptoms. After that, you can record only the necessary items.

Can diarrhea or nausea also occur during menstrual cramps?

Yes. Severe menstrual cramps can be accompanied by diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. Please record whether these recur at the same time every month and whether you are able to maintain fluid intake.

What is the difference between primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea?

Primary dysmenorrhea is usually centered around cramping before and after the start of menstruation. If pain is new, gradually worsening, lasting longer, or overlapping with excessive bleeding, pain during intercourse, painful urination, or painful bowel movements, secondary causes are investigated.

Baekrokdam Care Guide

What should I prepare before a consultation for women's health issues?

Name: What should I prepare before a consultation for women's diseases?
Published: 2026-08-25

Please record the start date and bleeding dates of your last three cycles, the number of pad/tampon changes on the heaviest day, the location of pain, and your response to painkillers. discharge·Rather than self-diagnosing itching based on smell and color, please prepare your test results and previous treatment responses. Please also provide full details regarding pregnancy possibility or plans, ultrasound and blood test results, and any hormone medications, contraceptives, fertility treatment medications, or supplements.

Click on unfamiliar terms to see their meanings immediately.

Reviewed by Korean Medicine Doctor Choi Yeon-seung · Last updated 2026-08-25

Summarize your last three cycles at a glance

Note the start date, duration, heaviest days, frequency of overnight product changes, and the location of blood clots and pain. Mark the dates of intermenstrual bleeding or bleeding after intercourse separately.

Record discharge and pelvic discomfort separately for before and after treatment

Note when the itching, smell, or pain began and any changes after using antibiotics or antifungals. Instead of trying to take photos, please prepare your test results and the names of your prescriptions.

Gather tests, medications, and pregnancy plans into one list

List your ultrasound, blood test, and cervical screening results, as well as any contraceptives, hormone medications, painkillers, fertility treatment medications, and supplements. If you do not know the medication names, the pharmacy envelopes or photos are helpful.

Choose one or two aspects of your daily life you wish to recover

Please tell us which of the following is currently most difficult: working during menstruation, night sleep, exercise, sexual life, or preparing for pregnancy. In Korean medicine, we determine the recovery goals and changes to monitor for herbal medicine treatment based on the existing diagnosis.

Check once more before your appointment

Preparing this much before your appointment is sufficient

Rather than looking at a single symptom in isolation, it is helpful for determining the direction of treatment to see when it started, what other changes occurred alongside it, and how much it has disrupted your daily life.

Menstrual pain: Details to check during evaluation

We look at how many days you endure with painkillers and how many days you miss school or work. EndometriosisWhile checking for causes such as adenomyosis, changes in digestion and sleep as well as pain before and after menstruation are reflected in the Korean herbal medicine prescription.

Onset, peak, duration of pain, and amount of bleeding for the last 3 cycles

Abnormal uterine bleeding: Details to check during evaluation

For bleeding that occurs outside of the menstrual period, we first check for the possibility of pregnancy, changes in the uterus or cervix, and current medications. While investigating the cause, Korean herbal medicine treatment can simultaneously address dizziness, fatigue following bleeding, and the recovery of the menstrual cycle.

Dates, amount, blood clots, and relationship to sexual intercourse for the last 3 months

Vaginitis: Details to be confirmed during the evaluation

Itching and discharge are not viewed as the same Vaginitisbut the cause is confirmed through testing. If irritation remains or recurs after necessary treatment, we will review your menstruation and cleansing habits, sleep, and the timing of recurrence together.

Onset of symptoms, discharge, smell, itching, pain

Information to prepare before your appointment

Onset, peak, duration of pain, and amount of bleeding for the last 3 cycles
Names of painkillers, time of intake, effectiveness, gastrointestinal discomfort, and history of hormone therapy
Pain during intercourse, bowel movements, or urination; pain outside of menstruation; and any missed periods
Dates, amount, and presence of blood clots for bleeding over the last 3 months, and its relationship with sexual intercourse
Results of pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, cervical screenings, and blood tests
Full list of contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), anticoagulants, Korean herbal medicine, and supplements

Women's Health Glossary

Terms to know in this guide

You can check a brief definition before proceeding to a detailed explanation.

Menstrual CycleThe menstrual cycle is the period from the first day of one menstruation to the day before the next menstruation begins.Abnormal Uterine BleedingAbnormal uterine bleeding is a broad term for bleeding where the timing, amount, or duration of menstruation differs from your usual pattern.VaginitisVaginitis is a condition characterized by discharge, odor, itching, or stinging; treatment varies depending on the cause, such as Candida, bacterial vaginosis, or Trichomonas.AMHAMH is a blood test used to predict the response to ovarian stimulation by indirectly reflecting the population of follicles remaining in the ovaries.Pattern Identification for Women's DiseasesPattern identification (Byeonjeung) is a diagnostic process in which the specific combination of bleeding, pain, discharge, sleep, digestion, cold/heat sensitivity, and fatigue is examined, even for the same diagnosis of a women's disease, to determine the direction of the Korean herbal medicine prescription.AmenorrheaAmenorrhea is a state where menstruation has not started or where previous menstruation has stopped for a certain period.Polycystic Ovary SyndromePolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition diagnosed by comprehensively evaluating irregular ovulation, signs of excess male hormones, and the morphology of the ovaries.OvulationOvulation is the process where an egg is released from the ovary. Because the date can vary with each menstrual cycle, it is difficult to determine the exact ovulation date through calendar calculation alone.Implantation BleedingImplantation bleeding is a common term for the small amount of bleeding that may occur in early pregnancy, approximately 2 weeks after ovulation. Implantation or pregnancy status cannot be confirmed by color and amount alone.Diminished Ovarian ReserveDiminished ovarian reserve refers to the possibility that the number of follicles and eggs that will respond to ovarian stimulation is lower compared to others of the same age. It does not mean that egg quality or the possibility of natural pregnancy is determined by a single numerical value.Ovarian Hyperstimulation SyndromeOvarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is a complication where the ovaries overreact to ovulation-inducing or IVF medications, causing them to enlarge and leading to abdominal bloating, pain, and nausea.Vaginal DischargeVaginal discharge is fluid produced in the vagina; clear or white discharge without a strong odor can change naturally according to the menstrual cycle.Menstrual Blood ClotsMenstrual blood clots occur when menstrual blood clumps together. Do not determine the cause based on the size of the clots alone; instead, consider the overall burden of bleeding (such as pad change frequency, overnight changes, and leaking), pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, and recovery after menstruation. If you experience bleeding that quickly soaks through a pad, or dizziness, fainting, or shortness of breath, seek medical evaluation first.DyspareuniaDyspareunia is a symptom where pain is felt at the vaginal opening or deep in the pelvis during or after sexual intercourse.Pelvic Inflammatory DiseasePelvic inflammatory disease is a condition where infection and inflammation occur in the upper reproductive organs, such as the uterus and fallopian tubes. Lower abdominal pain, fever, abnormal discharge, and pain during intercourse may occur together. Necessary tests and antibiotic treatments must be confirmed to ensure treatment is not delayed.Bacterial VaginosisBacterial vaginosis is a condition where the bacterial balance in the vagina changes, which may lead to watery discharge and odor.Candida VaginitisCandida vaginitis is a type of vaginitis caused by an overgrowth of Candida fungus, which can lead to severe itching, burning, and clumpy discharge.Trichomonas VaginitisTrichomonas vaginitis is a protozoan infection that can be transmitted through sexual contact, and may present with discharge, odor, itching, and urinary discomfort.In Vitro FertilizationIVF is an infertility treatment where an egg and sperm are fertilized outside the body, and the resulting embryo is then transferred into the uterus.Premenstrual SyndromePremenstrual Syndrome refers to a pattern where physical and emotional symptoms recur before menstruation and diminish once menstruation begins.

Details reviewed during Korean medicine treatment

We review your test results and current discomfort together

We look at how many days you rely on painkillers and how many days you miss school or work. Endometriosis oradenomyosis while identifying similar causes, we reflect pain before and after menstruation, as well as changes in digestion and sleep, into the Korean herbal medicine prescription.

Starting point of treatment

Observing how symptoms have disrupted your daily life

For each cycle, record the time painkillers were taken from the start of menstruation, their effectiveness, canceled schedules, and the number of times you woke up due to pain.

Current discomfort

Observing how symptoms have disrupted your daily life

Rather than interpreting the color, record the start time, frequency of changing menstrual products, presence of blood clots, dizziness, shortness of breath, and the relationship with sexual intercourse or medication.

Starting point of treatment

Observing how symptoms have disrupted your daily life

Rather than comparing photos of discharge alone, we record the names and results of tests, medication names and durations, symptom-free days, and any pelvic pain or fever.

For suddenly worsening pain, possibility of pregnancy, fever, fainting, or heavy bleeding, an evaluation for acute causes related to endometriosis, infection, or pregnancy must come first.

How to describe my symptoms during the appointment

Discomfort that persists after tests and treatment

What should I prepare before a consultation for women's health conditions?

Note the start dates and bleeding dates of the last three cycles, the number of pad/tampon changes on the heaviest day, the location of pain, and the response to painkillers. For discharge and itching, prepare test results and previous treatment responses rather than self-diagnosing the smell and color. Please also provide information on the possibility or plan for pregnancy, ultrasound and blood tests, and any hormone medications, contraceptives, infertility treatment medications, or supplements.

We establish a recovery sequence by dividing the roles of existing treatments and Korean herbal medicine treatment. If there is a cause that needs to be treated first, that treatment is continued. Korean herbal medicine treatment determines the primary goal and progress criteria by examining the remaining symptoms, their impact on daily life, and the patterns in which sleep, digestion, body heat, and fatigue move together based on those results. The sequence of combining it with existing treatments is adjusted according to actual responses, and lifestyle management is tailored to support the treatment goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions Before Your Visit

Can I not receive a consultation if I don't have menstrual records?

No. You can start with the most recent changes you remember and the most uncomfortable symptoms. You can record other necessary items afterward.

Do I need to disclose all medications I am taking for fertility treatment?

Yes. You must share your retrieval and transfer schedules, as well as prescribed medications, injections, and supplements, so we can safely determine if concurrent treatment is possible.

Can diarrhea or nausea occur along with menstrual pain?

Yes. In severe Menstrual crampscases, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness may occur together. Record whether this repeats at the same time every month and whether you are able to maintain fluid intake.

What is the difference between primary and secondary menstrual pain?

Primary dysmenorrhea is usually centered around cramping before and after the start of menstruation. If new pain develops, gradually worsens, lasts longer, or is accompanied by excessive bleeding,dyspareuniadysuria (painful urination), or dyschezia (painful bowel movements), we check for secondary causes.

Guidance based on your symptoms

Condition GuidanceMenstrual CrampsPrimary dysmenorrhea usually involves a squeezing pain in the lower abdomen just before or at the start of menstruation, which may spread to the lower back and thighs, and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, or dizziness. On the other hand, if you experience new or worsening pain, pain that lasts long before or after menstruation, excessive or irregular bleeding, or overlapping pain during intercourse, urination, or bowel movements, secondary causes such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease must be checked. If there is a possibility of pregnancy and you experience severe one-sided pain, bleeding, shoulder pain, dizziness, or a feeling of fainting, do not assume it is menstrual pain and seek an evaluation immediately.Condition GuidanceAbnormal Uterine BleedingAbnormal uterine bleeding is bleeding that occurs at a different time, amount, or duration than your expected period. This includes spotting between periods or after intercourse, bleeding that lasts more than 7 days, sudden significant changes in cycle, and postmenopausal bleeding. If there is a possibility of pregnancy and you have both bleeding and pelvic pain, or if you soak through a sanitary product every hour for more than 2 hours accompanied by dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain, an emergency evaluation takes priority over a consultation regarding the cause.Condition GuidanceVaginitisThe cause of vaginitis cannot be determined by a single symptom, such as discharge or itching. While Candida vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, and Trichomonas infection may have overlapping symptoms, the required tests, treatments, and partner management differ. If this is your first occurrence, if you are pregnant, or if symptoms recur quickly after treatment, please seek a medical examination and testing rather than continuing self-treatment. If you have fever, chills, severe pelvic pain, or bleeding combined with a possibility of pregnancy, an evaluation for upper reproductive tract infection or pregnancy-related causes is the priority.Condition GuidanceInfertilityInfertility is not a problem caused only by the woman. In women, ovulation disorders, fallopian tube damage or blockage, endometriosis, uterine structural issues, and age-related changes in ovarian function may be involved. In men, sperm count, motility, morphology, varicocele, hormones, or ejaculation issues can be the cause. Since factors from both partners may overlap or the cause may not be clear from the initial evaluation, we plan female examinations and semen analysis together from the start.Women's Health ColumnMenstrual calendar: Besides the start date, what else should I track to help with treatment?Menstrual records are not a homework assignment to fill in blanks. The direction of examinations and Korean medicine treatment becomes clear only when you record the sequence in which bleeding and pain begin, the discomfort remaining after painkillers, and the recovery process after menstruation ends.Women's Health ColumnHow should infertility or IVF treatment and Korean herbal medicine be coordinated within one plan?Infertility treatment is a continuous process involving tests, procedure schedules, injections, medications, and bodily recovery. Rather than adding Korean herbal medicine as a separate plan, you should share the stage of your current cycle and medications to accurately divide the roles and timing of each treatment.

Evidence and Update Information

The following materials were referenced for definitions, criteria for distinguishing similar symptoms, and safety standards. These are applied together with medical interviews and pattern identification (Byeonjeung) to determine the direction of Korean herbal medicine and acupuncture treatments and the sequence for connecting them with existing treatments.