Pale Menstrual Flow in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different pale menstrual flow patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Pale menstrual flow, medically recognized as a condition where the menstrual blood appears lighter in color than usual, can be indicative of various health issues. This symptom, also known as light-colored menstrual periods or pale menstrual blood, is characterized by a noticeable change in the color intensity of menstrual discharge. The variation from the typical red to a lighter hue can be a significant indicator in assessing a woman's reproductive health.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pale menstrual flow is viewed through a lens that considers the holistic balance of the body's systems. TCM interprets this symptom as a potential sign of underlying imbalances or Deficiencies in the body's Qi (vital energy), Blood, or other essential elements.
The color and nature of menstrual blood are considered crucial indicators of a woman's overall health, and a pale menstrual flow suggests a need to identify and address specific patterns of disharmony within the body.
TCM Patterns for Pale Menstrual Flow
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Qi Deficiency
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
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
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
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
Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
Pale menstrual blood
Along with: Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Thin menstrual blood, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
Pale menstrual blood
Along with: Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia, Thin menstrual blood, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Spontaneous sweat
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Pale menstrual blood, Pale color periods
Blood Deficiency
Pale menstrual blood
Along with: Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory, Insomnia
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
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
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Pale menstrual blood
Kidney-Deficiency
Pale menstrual blood
Along with: Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Frequent urination, Late menstruation, Chills, Cold extremities
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
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
Phlegm
Causes: Pale menstrual blood
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Pale menstrual blood
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
Heat
Causes: Pale color periods
Heat in the Blood
Pale color periods
Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation
Dampness
Causes: Pale menstrual blood
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Pale menstrual blood
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 Pale Menstrual Flow
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address pale menstrual flow
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Qi
- Warms and tonifies Blood
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Liang Di Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Cools Blood
- Stop bleeding
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Pale color periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia...
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Nourishes the Heart
- Calms the Mind
- Warms Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen and Lungs
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Resolves Damp-Phlegm
- Nourishes Blood
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia...
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these pale 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 Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Invigorates the Blood
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Sheng Yu Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Preserves the Blood
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
He Che Da Zao Wan
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Kidneys
- Strengthens the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
- Regulates the periods
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia...
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Qing Jing San
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Blood-Heat
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Pale color periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Yang
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
You Gui Wan
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
- Replenishes the Essence
- Tonifies the Blood
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Da Bu Yuan Jian
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yin and Blood
- Nourishes Qi and Yang
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and warms Kidney Yang
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
- Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Pale color periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Ju Yuan Jian
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...
Er Xian Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys
- Clears Empty Heat
- Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale color periods, Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Di Gu Pi Yin
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Pale color periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Gu Chong Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Stabilizes the Penetrating Vessel
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Thin menstrual blood, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations
Er Zhi Wan
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Liver Yin
- Nourishes Kidney Yin
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...
Dang Gui Di Huang Yin
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Tonifies Kidney and Liver Yin
- Regulates the menstrual cycle
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang
Addresses these pale menstrual flow patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood
Addresses These Pale Menstrual Flow Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Pale menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...