Short Periods in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different short periods patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Short periods, medically known as shortened menstrual flow or brief menstrual cycles, are a variation of the menstrual cycle where bleeding occurs for a significantly lesser duration than the average menstrual period. This condition can manifest in various forms, such as Short Menstrual Duration, and is characterized by a notable reduction in the length of menstrual bleeding.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets short periods as a symptom arising from imbalances within the body's fundamental systems. This approach contrasts with Western medicine's focus on specific reproductive system dysfunctions.
In TCM, short periods are often seen as an indicator of underlying disharmonies, such as Blood Deficiency or Yin Deficiency. The treatment in TCM aims to identify and correct these root imbalances, emphasizing the importance of restoring overall harmony in the body.
TCM Patterns for Short Periods
Blood Deficiency
Causes: short periods
Blood Deficiency
short periods
Along with: Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory, Insomnia
Yin Deficiency
Causes: short periods
Kidney-Deficiency
short periods
Along with: Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Frequent urination, Late menstruation, Chills, Cold extremities
Blood Stasis
Causes: short periods
Blood Stagnation
short periods
Along with: Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Lumps
Phlegm
Causes: short periods
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
short periods
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
Dampness
Causes: short periods
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
short periods
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 Short Periods
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address short periods
Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan
Addresses these short periods patterns:
Main Actions
- Resolves Dampness and Phlegm
Addresses These Short Periods Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
short periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang
Addresses these short periods patterns:
Main Actions
- Resolves Damp-Phlegm
- Nourishes Blood
Addresses These Short Periods Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
short periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang
Addresses these short periods patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood
Addresses These Short Periods Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
short periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...
Dang Gui Di Huang Yin
Addresses these short periods patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Tonifies Kidney and Liver Yin
- Regulates the menstrual cycle
Addresses These Short Periods Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
short periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Addresses these short periods patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver
- Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
- Stops pain
Addresses These Short Periods Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
short periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these short periods patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Short Periods Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
short periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Addresses these short periods patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Qi
- Warms and tonifies Blood
Addresses These Short Periods Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
short periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these short periods patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
- Stops pain
- Promotes Qi movement
Addresses These Short Periods Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
short periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
He Che Da Zao Wan
Addresses these short periods patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Kidneys
- Strengthens the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
- Regulates the periods
Addresses These Short Periods Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
short periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these short periods patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood
- Stops pain
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood stagnation
Addresses These Short Periods Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
short periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...