Scanty Menstruation in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different scanty menstruation patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

Abnormal Menstrual Flow, Texture or Color
7
TCM Patterns
19
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 7 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each scanty menstruation pattern
Classical remedies 19 herbal formulas documented
Related conditions

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches scanty menstruation through a holistic lens, viewing it as a manifestation of imbalances within the body's Qi (vital energy) and blood. TCM doesn't isolate menstrual issues but rather sees them as part of a larger systemic imbalance.

This perspective differs from Western medicine by focusing on restoring overall harmony and addressing root causes like Blood Deficiency, Yin Deficiency, and Blood Stagnation.

TCM Patterns for Scanty Menstruation

Blood Deficiency

Insufficient blood to nourish the body, causing paleness, dizziness, and dryness throughout the system

Causes: Scanty periods, hypomenorrhea, hypomenorrhoea, scanty menstruation, Menstruation decreases gratually

2 variations documented
Onset Gradual
Location Systemic
Features Pale face/lips/nails • Blurred vision • Dizziness • Scanty menses • Numbness

Blood Deficiency represents a fundamental lack of blood volume or quality in the body, resulting in organs, tissues, and the mind being undernourished. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, blood not only refers to the red fluid in our vessels but encompasses the body's entire nourishing and moistening functions.

Blood Deficiency
How it presents with scanty menstruation

Scanty periods, hypomenorrhea, hypomenorrhoea, scanty menstruation

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with scanty menstruation

Menstruation decreases gratually

Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations,

Blood Stasis

Blood that is no longer flowing smoothly through the vessels

Causes: Scanty periods, hypomenorrhea, hypomenorrhoea, scanty menstruation, Menstruation decreases gratually

2 variations documented
Onset Gradual (trauma=sudden)
Location Often local, can be systemic
Features Fixed/stabbing pain • Purple/dark coloration • Masses/tumors • Pain worse at night

Blood Stasis represents blood that is no longer flowing smoothly through the vessels, either moving too slowly, pooling in certain areas, or congealing into clots. It's one of the most important pathological conditions in Traditional Chinese Medicine and can be both a result of disease and a cause of further illness.

Blood Stagnation
How it presents with scanty menstruation

Scanty periods, hypomenorrhea, hypomenorrhoea, scanty menstruation

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

Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with scanty menstruation

Menstruation decreases gratually

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

Yin Deficiency

Depletion of cooling, moistening fluids causing dryness, false heat rising, and restless agitation throughout the body

Causes: Scanty periods, hypomenorrhea, hypomenorrhoea, scanty menstruation

1 variation documented
Onset Gradual
Location Systemic
Features Night sweats • Dry mouth/throat • Heat in afternoon/evening • Malar flush

Yin Deficiency represents a fundamental pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the body's yin fluids - blood, essence, and body fluids - become depleted, losing their ability to cool, moisten, and anchor the yang energy, resulting in relative hyperactivity of yang and internal heat manifestations.

Kidney-Deficiency
How it presents with scanty menstruation

Scanty periods, hypomenorrhea, hypomenorrhoea, scanty menstruation

Along with: Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Frequent urination,

Phlegm

Thick, sticky pathological fluid that obstructs body functions and can manifest anywhere in the body

Causes: Scanty periods, hypomenorrhea, hypomenorrhoea, scanty menstruation, Menstruation decreases gratually

1 variation documented
Onset Gradual
Location Local or systemic
Features Nodules/lumps • Heavy sensation • Mucus/expectoration • Mental confusion (if affecting mind)

Phlegm is both a pathological product and a pathogenic factor in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It results from impaired fluid metabolism when the body's transformative functions fail, particularly affecting the Spleen, Lungs, and Kidneys. Classical texts emphasize that "the Spleen is the source of phlegm production, while the Lungs are the storage vessel for phlegm."

Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with scanty menstruation

Scanty periods, hypomenorrhea, hypomenorrhoea, scanty menstruation, Menstruation decreases gratually

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

Qi Deficiency

Insufficient vital energy causing fatigue, weakness, poor digestion, and reduced function of organs and protective systems

Causes: Menstruation decreases gratually

1 variation documented
Onset Gradual
Location Systemic
Features Fatigue • Weak voice • Shortness of breath • Spontaneous sweating • Poor appetite

Qi Deficiency is a fundamental pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the body's vital energy is insufficient to maintain normal physiological functions, leading to weakness, fatigue, and various organ dysfunctions.

Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with scanty menstruation

Menstruation decreases gratually

Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations,

Qi Stagnation

Blocked or disrupted flow of vital energy causing distending pain, emotional distress, and symptoms that worsen with stress

Causes: Menstruation decreases gratually

1 variation documented
Onset Gradual (can be sudden)
Location Can be local or systemic
Features Distending/moving pain • Emotional stress worsens • Sighing • Pain relieved by movement/burping

Qi Stagnation is a fundamental pathological pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the smooth flow of vital energy becomes obstructed, creating areas of pressure, pain, and dysfunction throughout the body.

Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with scanty menstruation

Menstruation decreases gratually

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

Dampness

Heavy, sticky moisture that obstructs body functions and creates sluggishness

Causes: Scanty periods, hypomenorrhea, hypomenorrhoea, scanty menstruation, Menstruation decreases gratually

1 variation documented
Onset Gradual
Location Systemic, especially digestive
Features Heavy/foggy feeling • Sticky/turbid discharges • Poor appetite • Bloating

Dampness manifests as swelling, bloating, a feeling of heaviness in the head and limbs, and digestive issues. It's like having waterlogged tissues that make everything feel heavy and slow. Common signs include a thick, greasy tongue coating, sticky mouth sensation, and stools that are difficult to flush.

Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with scanty menstruation

Scanty periods, hypomenorrhea, hypomenorrhoea, scanty menstruation, Menstruation decreases gratually

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

Herbal Formulas for Scanty Menstruation

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address scanty menstruation

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Addresses these scanty menstruation patterns:

Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency Phlegm Dampness

Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang

Addresses these scanty menstruation patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang

Addresses these scanty menstruation patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Shi Quan Da Bu Tang

Addresses these scanty menstruation patterns:

Yin Deficiency Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency

Tao Hong Si Wu Tang

Addresses these scanty menstruation patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan

Addresses these scanty menstruation patterns:

Phlegm Dampness

Dang Gui Di Huang Yin

Addresses these scanty menstruation patterns:

Yin Deficiency

Gui Pi Tang

Addresses these scanty menstruation patterns:

Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency

He Che Da Zao Wan

Addresses these scanty menstruation patterns:

Yin Deficiency