Decreased Menstrual Flow in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different decreased menstrual flow patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Decreased menstrual flow refers to a gradual reduction in the volume of blood loss during menstruation. This condition might manifest as less blood flow than usual or a noticeable decrease over successive menstrual cycles. It's a specific form of scanty menstruation, which can include symptoms like light-colored menstrual blood or less frequent need for menstrual hygiene products. Recognizing these changes is essential for understanding underlying health conditions.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives decreased menstrual flow as a manifestation of internal imbalances or disharmonies. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on physical factors, TCM looks at the holistic interplay of bodily systems.
It identifies different patterns of disharmony causing this symptom, emphasizing that treatment must be tailored to the individual’s specific TCM pattern diagnosis. This approach is crucial for effective management and restoration of balance.
TCM Patterns for Decreased Menstrual Flow
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Menstruation decreases gratually
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Menstruation decreases gratually
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Menstruation decreases gratually
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Menstruation decreases gratually
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Menstruation decreases gratually
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Menstruation decreases gratually
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression, Mottled skin, Foot edema, Abdominal masses, Melena black tarry stool, Menstrual cramps, Amenorrhea, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Irregular periods, Melasma
Blood Stasis
Causes: Menstruation decreases gratually
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Menstruation decreases gratually
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression, Mottled skin, Foot edema, Abdominal masses, Melena black tarry stool, Menstrual cramps, Amenorrhea, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Irregular periods, Melasma
Phlegm
Causes: Menstruation decreases gratually
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Menstruation decreases gratually
Along with: Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Generalized fatigue, Diarrhea, Dull pale complexion, Obesity, Infertility, Ovarian cysts, Ovarian fibroids, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Pseudocyesis, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness
Dampness
Causes: Menstruation decreases gratually
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Menstruation decreases gratually
Along with: Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Generalized fatigue, Diarrhea, Dull pale complexion, Obesity, Infertility, Ovarian cysts, Ovarian fibroids, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Pseudocyesis, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness
Herbal Formulas for Decreased Menstrual Flow
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address decreased menstrual flow
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these decreased menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Decreased Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Addresses these decreased menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Nourishes the Heart
- Calms the Mind
- Warms Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen and Lungs
Addresses These Decreased Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these decreased menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
- Stops pain
- Promotes Qi movement
Addresses These Decreased Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan
Addresses these decreased menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Resolves Dampness and Phlegm
Addresses These Decreased Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Addresses these decreased menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Qi
- Warms and tonifies Blood
Addresses These Decreased Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Addresses these decreased menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver
- Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
- Stops pain
Addresses These Decreased Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these decreased menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi
- Removes Dampness
- Moves Qi
- Alleviates pain
- Strengthens the Spleen and Harmonizes the Stomach,
Addresses These Decreased Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these decreased menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Decreased Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these decreased menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood
- Stops pain
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood stagnation
Addresses These Decreased Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Wu Yao Tang
Addresses these decreased menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Moves Qi
- Stops pain
- Nourishes Liver Blood
- Eliminates Stagnation
Addresses These Decreased Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Addresses these decreased menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation
- Tonifies Spleen
- Clears Deficient Heat
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Decreased Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Wei Jing Tang
Addresses these decreased menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears heat from the Lungs
- Transforms Phlegm
- Drives out Blood-Stagnation
- Discharges pus
Addresses These Decreased Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Menstruation decreases gratually
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...