A Case of Dysmenorrhea with Headache Improved by Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaenggang-tang

Article information

J Korean Med. 2025;46(3):191-198
Publication date (electronic) : 2025 September 1
doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.25044
1Department of Medical Support, Imsil-gun Medical Center
2Warm Korean Medicine Clinic, Bucheon
3Department of Korean Medicine, Graduate School of Wonkwang University
Correspondence to: Ju-Hyun Lee, Department of Medical Support, Imsil-gun Medical Center, 1680 Hoguk-ro, Imsil, 55927, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-63-640-3338, Fax: +82-63-640-3317, E-mail: tony9403@naver.com
§

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Received 2025 July 15; Revised 2025 August 6; Accepted 2025 August 12.

Abstract

Objectives

This study aims to report a case of primary dysmenorrhea improved by Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaen gang-tang.

Methods

The patient complained of symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, headache, chest tightness, and insomnia. The patient was diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea, considering that the pain existed just after the onset of menstruation and no clear causative lesion was found. As the patient’s symptoms were thought to be due to decreased metabolism, Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaenggang-tang was prescribed.

Results

About 75 days after administration of Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaenggang-tang, headache, insomnia, and chest thightness completely disappeared (NRS 10 → 0). Menstrual pain decreased to less than half of that of the first visit (NRS 10 → 3 on the first day, NRS 10 → 1 after the next day).

Conclusion

This study is significant in that the patient’s symptoms and overall condition were improved after administration of Dangguisaryeokgaosuyusenggang-tang.

Fig. 1

Treatment Timeline

Systematic Examination

Symptom Evaluation Index

Prescription of Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaenggang-tang

Symptom Progress of Dysmen

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Article information Continued

Fig. 1

Treatment Timeline

Table 1

Systematic Examination

大便 변비 경향이다. 2–3일에 1번 정도 변을 본다. 잔변감이 있다.
小便 소변을 시원하게 본다. 소변을 하루 3–4회 가량 본다.
寒熱 추위를 탄다. 손발이 찬 편이다 (몇년 전)
汗出 땀이 많은 편이다. 긴장 시 손발에서 땀이 잘 난다.
食慾 식욕 보통이다. 배고픈 걸 참기 힘들다.
胸部 평소 한숨을 잘 쉰다. 대중 교통을 이용하면 공황이 오는 것처럼 가슴이 답답해진다.
消化 소화 보통이다. 트림을 자주 한다. 배에 가스가 많이 찬다.
睡眠 잠을 잘 못잔다. 잠이 드는데 30분에서 1시간 정도 걸린다. 수면제를 복용 중이다. 커피 마시면 잠을 잘 못잔다.
皮膚 햇빛 알레르기가 있다.
其他 몸이 잘 붓는다. 얼굴, 종아리 쪽이 자주 붓는다. 체력이 약하다.

Table 2

Symptom Evaluation Index

Symptom Severity
Dysmenorrhea Pelvic Pain 0 (None) ~ 10 (Severe)
Headache
Insomnia

Table 3

Prescription of Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaenggang-tang

Name of Natural Medicine (Herbal Medicine) Weight(g)
生薑 Zingiber officinale Roscoe 16
大棗 Ziziphus jujuba Mill. 12
肉桂 Cinnamomum cassia Nees 6
芍藥 Paeonia lactiflora Pall. 6
當歸 Angelica gigas Nakai 6
細辛 Asarum sieboldii Miq. 6
木通 Akebia quinata (Thunb.) Decne. 4
吳茱萸 Tetradium ruticarpum (A.Juss.) T.G. Hartley 4
甘草 Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. 4

Total Amount 64

Table 4

Symptom Progress of Dysmen

2025.
03.04
2025.
03.21
2025.
04.09
2025.
04.28
2025.
05.30
Dysmenorrhea Pelvic Pain 10 10 3 1–2 1
Headache 10 1–2 0 0 0
Insomnia 10 3 1 1 0

Total 30 14–15 4 2–3 1