Is Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis unreliable? There are some tips for testing pregnancy

When it comes to the question of whether Chinese medicine is reliable in taking pregnancy pulse, most doctors are reluctant to express their views directly on this topic. The general view is: Chinese medicine and Western medicine have their own strengths, so can Chinese medicine determine whether a woman is pregnant?

Is it reliable to judge whether you are pregnant by taking the pulse of traditional Chinese medicine?

When it comes to the question of whether Chinese medicine is reliable in taking the pulse, most doctors are reluctant to express their views directly on this topic. The general view is that Chinese medicine and Western medicine each have their own strengths, and we cannot deny or affirm either one based on a single case.

There is a data showing that by comparing the accuracy of pulse diagnosis with the positive HCG test in urine, the accuracy of pulse diagnosis can reach 80%.

However, there are times when misdiagnosis occurs in any clinical diagnosis. The experiences of veteran and young Chinese medicine practitioners are different, so the diagnostic results are also different. Traditional Chinese medicine is extensive and profound, but not every Chinese medicine practitioner is Hua Tuo.

Four reliable tips for testing pregnancy

Although there is no definitive conclusion on whether Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis is reliable or not, there are still many medical methods that can detect whether a woman is pregnant, with an accuracy rate of over 90%. Female friends may wish to learn them, as knowing early is priceless.

1. Early pregnancy test paper (pregnancy test stick) detection

The advent of early pregnancy test strips has brought great convenience to the diagnosis of early pregnancy. A specific hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG for short), can be measured in a woman's urine 7-10 days into her pregnancy. Morning urine is generally more accurate.

Accuracy: more than 95%

Advantages and disadvantages: The examination is convenient and can be done by yourself; however, without professional guidance, the test results may be inaccurate.

2. Basal body temperature measurement

Measure your body temperature in bed every morning after waking up. The temperature at this time is called basal body temperature. Generally, the body temperature is below 36.5 degrees before ovulation. After ovulation, the progesterone level rises, causing the body temperature to rise by 0.3-0.5 degrees. If the egg cannot be fertilized, progesterone levels will drop after about a week and the body temperature will return to normal; if pregnancy occurs, progesterone levels will remain high and the body temperature will not drop. If the high temperature curve phenomenon in the basal body temperature persists for more than 18 days, it can generally be confirmed as early pregnancy.

Accuracy: 70%-80%

Advantages and disadvantages: simple operation, low cost and safe; but strict requirements, long-term persistence is required, and body temperature should be measured at the same time every morning for more than half a month and records should be kept. Other factors that may cause the basal body temperature to rise, such as systemic infectious diseases, should be excluded.

If you have a cold, fever, diarrhea, insomnia, drink alcohol, or use an electric blanket, your basal body temperature will often be affected. Since there are many influencing factors, the accuracy is relatively low.