Irregular Periods in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different irregular periods patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Overview
What causes it 10 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each irregular periods pattern
Classical remedies 37 herbal formulas documented

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets irregular periods as a sign of imbalance within the body's internal systems. Unlike Western medicine, which often targets the symptoms, TCM seeks to identify and correct the underlying disharmonies causing these menstrual irregularities, focusing on restoring balance to the body’s Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang.

This holistic approach emphasizes the importance of diagnosing the specific pattern of disharmony to effectively tailor the treatment to the individual, aiming to harmonize the body's natural rhythms and functions.

TCM Patterns for Irregular Periods

Blood Stasis

Causes: Hesitant periods, oligomenorrhea, Irregular menstruation

7 variations documented
Blood Stagnation
How it presents with irregular periods

Hesitant periods, oligomenorrhea

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

Liver Blood Stagnation
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods,

Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

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

Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Lower back pain, Abdominal distention, Irregular periods, Red and white vaginal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Persistent uterine bleeding of purple or dark blood, Lower abdominal distension and pain that increases with pressure, Lower abdominal fibroids and cysts, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods, Abdominal pain,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood Stagnation in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Irregular periods, Brown vaginal discharge, Dark menstrual clots, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Stagnation

Causes: irregular cycles, chaotic periods, irregular periods, unpredictable menstruation, unpredictable periods, irregular menstruation, Irregular menstruation

5 variations documented
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with irregular periods

irregular cycles, chaotic periods, irregular periods, unpredictable menstruation, unpredictable periods, irregular menstruation

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia,

Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

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

Qi Stagnation
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

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

Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Lower back pain, Abdominal distention, Irregular periods, Red and white vaginal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Causes: oligomenorrhea, Irregular menstruation

4 variations documented
Blood Deficiency
How it presents with irregular periods

oligomenorrhea

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Lower back pain, Abdominal distention, Irregular periods, Red and white vaginal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Anemia, Dizziness, Headaches, Dry mouth,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Deficiency

Causes: irregular cycles, chaotic periods, irregular periods, unpredictable menstruation, unpredictable periods, irregular menstruation, oligomenorrhea, Irregular menstruation

3 variations documented
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with irregular periods

irregular cycles, chaotic periods, irregular periods, unpredictable menstruation, unpredictable periods, irregular menstruation

Along with: Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney-Deficiency
How it presents with irregular periods

oligomenorrhea

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

Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: oligomenorrhea, Irregular menstruation

3 variations documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with irregular periods

oligomenorrhea

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

Damp-Heat
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Damp-Heat in the Liver
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite,

Heat

Causes: Irregular menstruation

3 variations documented
Damp-Heat
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Damp-Heat in the Liver
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite,

Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Deficiency

Causes: irregular cycles, chaotic periods, irregular periods, unpredictable menstruation, unpredictable periods, irregular menstruation, Irregular menstruation

2 variations documented
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with irregular periods

irregular cycles, chaotic periods, irregular periods, unpredictable menstruation, unpredictable periods, irregular menstruation

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Phlegm

Causes: oligomenorrhea, Irregular menstruation

2 variations documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with irregular periods

oligomenorrhea

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

Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Persistent uterine bleeding of purple or dark blood, Lower abdominal distension and pain that increases with pressure, Lower abdominal fibroids and cysts, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods, Abdominal pain,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Irregular menstruation

1 variation documented
Liver Qi Deficiency
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

Along with: Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Nervousness, Timidity, Easily startled,

Cold

Causes: Irregular menstruation

1 variation documented
Cold in the Uterus
How it presents with irregular periods

Irregular menstruation

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

Herbal Formulas for Irregular Periods

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address irregular periods

Xiao Yao San

Addresses these irregular periods patterns:

Qi Stagnation Blood Stasis Qi Deficiency Blood Deficiency

Tao Hong Si Wu Tang

Addresses these irregular periods patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation Blood Deficiency

Si Wu Tang

Addresses these irregular periods patterns:

Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency Blood Stasis

Wen Jing Tang

Addresses these irregular periods patterns:

Cold Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang

Addresses these irregular periods patterns:

Blood Stasis Cold Qi Stagnation

Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang

Addresses these irregular periods patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation Blood Deficiency

Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan

Addresses these irregular periods patterns:

Blood Stasis Phlegm Qi Stagnation

Er Xian Tang

Addresses these irregular periods patterns:

Yang Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Shi Xiao San

Addresses these irregular periods patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation