Amenorrhea in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different amenorrhea patterns according to TCM theory

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12
TCM Patterns
74
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 12 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each amenorrhea pattern
Classical remedies 74 herbal formulas documented

From the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), amenorrhea isn't just an isolated symptom; it's a signal of deeper imbalances within the body's energy systems. TCM delves into the harmony of Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin, and Yang, seeing amenorrhea as a result of disharmony among these elements.

The TCM approach prioritizes understanding the individual's unique pattern of disharmony—be it a Deficiency in Blood, a Stagnation of Qi, or an imbalance in Yin and Yang—to tailor a treatment that addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms.

TCM Patterns for Amenorrhea

Blood Deficiency

Causes: absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, Amenorrhea, delayed periods, late periods, No period, No menstruation by 18

9 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods

Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations,

Blood Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea, delayed periods, late periods

Along with: Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory, Insomnia

Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety,

Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness,

Pericardium Blood Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: Chest distension, Chest stiffness, Chest pain, Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor memory

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Blood Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs, Diarrhea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

No period

Along with: Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs,

Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea, absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, No menstruation by 18

Along with: Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Knee pain, Dizziness, Depression,

Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: Dizziness, Blurry vision, Lackluster complexion and nails, Muscle tension, Insomnia, Palpitations,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Deficiency

Causes: absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, Amenorrhea

5 variations documented
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods

Along with: Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods

Along with: Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, Amenorrhea

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache,

Liver Yin Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters,

Kidney-Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus,

Blood Stasis

Causes: absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, Amenorrhea, Absence of menstruation

5 variations documented
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with amenorrhea

absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, Amenorrhea

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails,

Blood Stagnation
How it presents with amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation

Along with: Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps,

Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Dull pale complexion, Weak limbs,

Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: Dizziness, Blurry vision, Lackluster complexion and nails, Muscle tension, Insomnia, Palpitations,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: Lower abdominal pain, Nighttime fever, Incoherent or confused speech, Irritability, Restlessness, Thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Deficiency

Causes: absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, Amenorrhea

3 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods

Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations,

Qi Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: Sticky vaginal discharge, Generalized fatigue, Depression, Cold extremities, Diarrhea, White vaginal discharge,

Essence Deficiency

Causes: Primary amenorrhoea, Amenorrhea, absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, No menstruation by 18

2 variations documented
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Primary amenorrhoea

Along with: Deafness, Decreased mental sharpness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Hair loss, Lower back pain,

Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea, absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, No menstruation by 18

Along with: Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Knee pain, Dizziness, Depression,

Qi Stagnation

Causes: absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, Amenorrhea, delayed periods, late periods

2 variations documented
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with amenorrhea

absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, Amenorrhea

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails,

Qi Stagnation
How it presents with amenorrhea

delayed periods, late periods

Along with: General fullness, Moving pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Sighing

Cold

Causes: No period, Amenorrhea, delayed periods, late periods

2 variations documented
Cold in the Uterus
How it presents with amenorrhea

No period, Amenorrhea, delayed periods, late periods

Along with: Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Thin vaginal discharge

Empty-Cold
How it presents with amenorrhea

No period

Along with: Chills, Cold extremities, Pale face, Absence of thirst, Apathy, Excessive sweating,

Phlegm

Causes: absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, Amenorrhea, delayed periods, late periods

1 variation documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with amenorrhea

absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, Amenorrhea, delayed periods, late periods

Along with: Late menstruation, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Generalized fatigue,

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Absence of menstruation, delayed periods, late periods

1 variation documented
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation, delayed periods, late periods

Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, Amenorrhea, delayed periods, late periods

1 variation documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with amenorrhea

absence of menstruation, amenorrhoea, no menstruation, no periods, absence of periods, Amenorrhea, delayed periods, late periods

Along with: Late menstruation, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Generalized fatigue,

Heat

Causes: Amenorrhea

1 variation documented
Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
How it presents with amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Along with: Lower abdominal pain, Nighttime fever, Incoherent or confused speech, Irritability, Restlessness, Thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Wind

Causes: No period

1 variation documented
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with amenorrhea

No period

Along with: Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs,

Herbal Formulas for Amenorrhea

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address amenorrhea

Si Wu Tang

Addresses these amenorrhea patterns:

Yin Deficiency Blood Deficiency Blood Stasis Wind Cold

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Addresses these amenorrhea patterns:

Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency Phlegm Dampness

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

Addresses these amenorrhea patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Tao Hong Si Wu Tang

Addresses these amenorrhea patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation Blood Deficiency

Wan Dai Tang

Addresses these amenorrhea patterns:

Qi Deficiency Phlegm Dampness

He Che Da Zao Wan

Addresses these amenorrhea patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang

Addresses these amenorrhea patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation Cold

Gui Pi Tang

Addresses these amenorrhea patterns:

Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency Blood Stasis

Bu Gan Tang

Addresses these amenorrhea patterns:

Blood Deficiency Yin Deficiency Wind