Kampo is Japan's traditional herbal medicine and it is an integral part of the official Westernized medical system in Japan. We describe the Kampo approach to premenstrual symptoms. We present 3 clinical cases of women treated for premenstrual discomforts in a Kampo clinic in Japan. Each of these women reported improvement in their conditions. We argue that Kampo is well-suited for treatment of premenstrual symptoms in Japan and deserves the attention of Western clinicians for three reasons: (1) patient-centered Kampo diagnosis allows physicians to handle subjective and culture-bound symptoms that are often ignored by Western medicine; (2) Kampo herbal formulas are regulated by the Japanese government, and are pure and of high quality; and (3) the settings in which Kampo is practiced set a stage for therapeutic collaboration between the doctor and the patient.

Aim: In the midwifery literature in English, little attention is paid to midwifery practise in Asian countries. To remedy this, we explore the knowledge and beliefs of independent Japanese midwives. Methods: We collected data in natural settings through the active participation of the authors in midwifery work after receiving informed consent. We visited midwives' practise settings and observed ante-partum, intra-partum, and post-partum midwifery practise. We also interviewed the midwives. Throughout the study, the authors discussed the findings with the participating midwives. Results: The concepts that summarize what midwives and women in our study described as the desired outcomes of care were: (i) feelings of happiness and joy; (ii) positive change; (iii) mother-child bonding; and (iv) lifelong health. The concepts that guided the midwifery process were: (i) positive communication; (ii) the woman's commitment to her health; (iii) supporting the woman's own way; (iv) the support of other pregnant women; (v) food as care; (vi) warmth; and (vii) respect for the natural process. The two encompassing features of midwifery practise were: (i) awareness, which includes the assurance of normalcy and the prevention of abnormalities; and (ii) networking and collaboration, which describes the relationships of midwives with their colleagues, doctors, and other health professionals. Conclusion:The traditional knowledge of Japanese midwives offers concepts that might be useful to international midwifery and should be studied more in depth.

Aims: Women of color are disproportionally affected by intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA), and those on college campuses may have additional risk factors. The purpose of this study was to explore how college-affiliated women of color assign meaning to their interaction with individuals, authorities, and organizations tasked to help survivors of SA and IPV. Methods: Semistructured focus group interviews (N = 87) were transcribed and analyzed using Charmaz's constructivist grounded theory methodology. Results: Three priority theoretical elements were identified: what hurts, namely, distrust, uncertain outcomes, and silencing of experiences; what helps, namely, support, autonomy, and safety; and desired outcomes, namely, academic progress, supportive social networks, and self-care. Conclusion: Participants were concerned about uncertain outcomes of their interaction with organizations and authorities that are set to help victims. Results can inform forensic nurses and other professionals about the care priorities and needs of college-affiliated women of color in the context of IPV and SA.