Menopausal Hot Flashes in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different menopausal hot flashes patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Menopausal hot flashes are sudden feelings of warmth, often intense, that can spread throughout the body but are most commonly felt in the face, neck, and chest. These episodes can lead to sweating, redness of the skin, and, in some cases, chills. Hot flashes are a hallmark symptom of menopause, the period marking the end of a woman's reproductive years. These flashes can vary in frequency and intensity and may be accompanied by night sweats, impacting sleep quality and overall well-being.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, understanding "what is pattern" is fundamental to treating any symptom, including menopausal hot flashes. A pattern is a comprehensive diagnosis of a patient's overall health condition, identifying the unique imbalance causing their symptoms.
Recognizing the specific pattern—be it Kidney Yin Deficiency or Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys—is essential. This diagnosis guides practitioners in tailoring a personalized treatment strategy, ensuring that interventions target the root cause of symptoms rather than just alleviating the symptoms themselves.
TCM Patterns for Menopausal Hot Flashes
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Menopausal hot flushes, Hot flushes
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Menopausal hot flushes
Along with: Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation, Scanty and dark urine, Infertility, Premature ejaculation, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Anxiety, Heat sensation in palms, Evening heat sensation, Flushed cheekbones, Menopausal hot flashes, Preference for sipping, Evening anxiety
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Hot flushes
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache, Insomnia, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Withered and brittle nails, Vaginal dryness, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emission, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Late menstruation, Infertility, Melasma
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
Hot flushes
Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Palpitations
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
Hot flushes
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain, Knee pain, Night sweats, Constipation, Menopausal hot flashes
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Hot flushes
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Hot flushes
Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Leg edema, Female infertility, Diarrhea, Depression, Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, Oligospermia, Low sex drive, Pale and abudant urination, Constipation
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
Hot flushes
Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Palpitations
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Hot flushes
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Hot flushes
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: Hot flushes
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Hot flushes
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
Heat
Causes: Hot flushes
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
Hot flushes
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain, Knee pain, Night sweats, Constipation, Menopausal hot flashes
Herbal Formulas for Menopausal Hot Flashes
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address menopausal hot flashes
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Menopausal hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it manifests:
Hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain...
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
- Stops pain
- Promotes Qi movement
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Er Xian Tang
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys
- Clears Empty Heat
- Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it manifests:
Hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability...
Wen Jing Tang
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Uterus and vessels
- Nourishes Blood
- Dispels Cold
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Er Zhi Wan
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Liver Yin
- Nourishes Kidney Yin
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it manifests:
Hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability...
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Transforms Blood Stasis
- Softens lumps
- Reduces fixed abdominal pain
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Clears Heat
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it manifests:
Hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Menopausal hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
You Gui Wan
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
- Replenishes the Essence
- Tonifies the Blood
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yin
- Drains Fire
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Menopausal hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind
- Nourishes and moistens the Heart Blood
- Tonifies the Kidney Yin
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Menopausal hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Beautifies hair
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Menopausal hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
- Improves vision
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Gui Shao Di Huang Tang
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Zuo Gui Yin
Addresses these menopausal hot flashes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Tonifies the Kidneys
Addresses These Menopausal Hot Flashes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot flushes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...