Excessive Menstruation in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different excessive menstruation patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Excessive menstruation, medically known as menorrhagia, is a condition characterized by abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. It can involve a significant increase in the amount of blood lost during each period or the extension of the period beyond the typical duration.
Symptoms often include the need to use multiple sanitary products, passing large blood clots, and experiencing fatigue or anemia due to blood loss. Excessive menstruation can disrupt a woman's normal activities and may signal underlying health issues.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views excessive menstruation as a symptom of imbalance within the body's systems. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on the physical aspects of the condition, TCM looks at excessive menstruation as a sign of disharmony in the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood.
This perspective emphasizes identifying and correcting the underlying patterns of disharmony, which can vary from person to person. TCM aims to restore balance and harmony within the body, addressing both the symptoms and the root causes of excessive menstruation.
TCM Patterns for Excessive Menstruation
Heat
Causes: excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Heat in Uterus Blood
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods
Along with: Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face, Anger, Anxiety, Dark urine, Constipation
Heat in the Blood
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation
Damp-Heat
metrorrhagia
Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Feeling of heat, Feeling of heaviness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Acne
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
metrorrhagia
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods
Qi Deficiency
Causes: excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, Profuse menstrual bleeding, Menstrual blood gushes out
Qi Deficiency
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Along with: General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of breath
Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
Profuse menstrual bleeding, Menstrual blood gushes out
Along with: Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Thin menstrual blood, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations
Yin Deficiency
Causes: flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Kidney-Deficiency
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Along with: Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Frequent urination, Late menstruation, Chills, Cold extremities
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
metrorrhagia
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods
Blood Stasis
Causes: excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Blood Stagnation
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Along with: Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Lumps
Yang Deficiency
Causes: metrorrhagia
Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency
metrorrhagia
Along with: Abdominal pain that worsens with cold, Urinary dysfunction, Deep pain and heaviness in limbs, Dizziness, Heavy sensation in the head, Edema, Diarrhea, Palpitations, Coughing, Vomit
Dampness
Causes: metrorrhagia
Damp-Heat
metrorrhagia
Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Feeling of heat, Feeling of heaviness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Acne
Herbal Formulas for Excessive Menstruation
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address excessive menstruation
Liang Di Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Cools Blood
- Stop bleeding
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods
Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Yang
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal pain that worsens with cold, Urinary dysfunction, Deep pain and heaviness in limbs, Dizziness, Heavy sensation in the head, Edema...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods
Er Zhi Wan
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Liver Yin
- Nourishes Kidney Yin
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods
Ba Zheng San
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Fire
- Promotes urination
- Unblocks painful urinary dribbling
- Purges Fire
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat
How it manifests:
metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst...
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Huai Jiao Wan
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears heat from the Intestines
- Stops bleeding
- Disperses wind
- Regulates Qi
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Heat in Uterus Blood
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face, Anger...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
You Gui Wan
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
- Replenishes the Essence
- Tonifies the Blood
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Qing Jing San
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Blood-Heat
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Shi Xiao San
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Eases pain
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Ju Yuan Jian
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
- Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver
- Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
- Stops pain
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Gu Chong Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Stabilizes the Penetrating Vessel
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Profuse menstrual bleeding, Menstrual blood gushes out
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Thin menstrual blood, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations
Di Gu Pi Yin
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Zhu Yu Zhi Xue Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...