Prolonged Lochia in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different prolonged lochia patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Prolonged lochia refers to the condition where postpartum bleeding and discharge, known as lochia, extends beyond the typical four to six-week period following childbirth. This condition encompasses a range of manifestations, including ongoing lochia, excessive postpartum discharge, and lochia retention. Understanding and identifying prolonged lochia is essential for ensuring postpartum health and well-being.
Traditional Chinese Medicine perceives prolonged lochia as a manifestation of imbalance in the bodys vital energies after childbirth. It underscores the importance of restoring harmony following the significant physiological changes experienced during delivery.
In TCM, the resolution of prolonged lochia involves identifying and correcting underlying disharmonies, which may involve imbalances in Qi (vital energy), blood, or other fundamental bodily elements.
TCM Patterns for Prolonged Lochia
Blood Stasis
Causes: Lochia retention
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Lochia retention
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 Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus
Lochia retention
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, Prolonged lochia, Uterine fibroids, Endometriosis, Infertility
Blood Stagnation in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
Lochia retention
Along with: Irregular periods, Brown vaginal discharge, Dark menstrual clots, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Lower abdominal pain, Umbilical pain, Breast engorgement, Breast pain
Phlegm
Causes: Lochia retention
Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus
Lochia retention
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, Prolonged lochia, Uterine fibroids, Endometriosis, Infertility
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Lochia retention
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Lochia retention
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
Herbal Formulas for Prolonged Lochia
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address prolonged lochia
Shi Xiao San
Addresses these prolonged lochia patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Eases pain
Addresses These Prolonged Lochia Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Lochia retention
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Addresses these prolonged lochia patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Transforms Blood Stasis
- Softens lumps
- Reduces fixed abdominal pain
Addresses These Prolonged Lochia Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Lochia retention
Accompanying symptoms:
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...
Blood Stagnation in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
How it manifests:
Lochia retention
Accompanying symptoms:
Irregular periods, Brown vaginal discharge, Dark menstrual clots, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia...
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these prolonged lochia patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Unblocks the channels
Addresses These Prolonged Lochia Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Lochia retention
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these prolonged lochia patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Unblocks painful obstruction
- Relieves pain
- Invigorate Qi
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Unblock Channels
Addresses These Prolonged Lochia Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Lochia retention
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these prolonged lochia patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood
- Stops pain
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood stagnation
Addresses These Prolonged Lochia Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Lochia retention
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these prolonged lochia patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
- Stops pain
- Promotes Qi movement
Addresses These Prolonged Lochia Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Lochia retention
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Addresses these prolonged lochia patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes Blood
Addresses These Prolonged Lochia Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Lochia retention
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Qi Li San
Addresses these prolonged lochia patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Invigorates Qi
- Reduces swelling and pain
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Prolonged Lochia Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Lochia retention
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Dan Shen Yin
Addresses these prolonged lochia patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Promote Qi movement
- Relieves pain
Addresses These Prolonged Lochia Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Lochia retention
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Guo Qi Yin
Addresses these prolonged lochia patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the menses
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Prolonged Lochia Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Lochia retention
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Addresses these prolonged lochia patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver
- Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
- Stops pain
Addresses These Prolonged Lochia Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Lochia retention
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...