Thin Menstrual Blood in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different thin menstrual blood patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Thin menstrual blood, characterized by a lighter and more watery consistency than normal, is a variation in menstrual flow. This symptom, also known as light menstrual bleeding or watery menstrual flow, indicates a departure from the typical texture and density of menstrual blood.
It's important to differentiate this from scanty menstruation, which refers to a reduced quantity, whereas thin menstrual blood pertains more to the quality and constitution of the blood.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches thin menstrual blood as a symptom indicative of underlying imbalances within the body’s systemic harmony. Unlike Western medicine that often focuses on the symptom in isolation, TCM considers thin menstrual blood as a signal of deeper disharmonies in the body's energies or Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang.
This perspective underscores the necessity of identifying the root cause of the imbalance, which could stem from Qi Deficiency, Yin Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, or Heat, to effectively treat the symptom.
TCM Patterns for Thin Menstrual Blood
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Thin menstrual blood, Thin and watery periods
Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
Thin menstrual blood
Along with: Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations
Qi Deficiency
Thin and watery periods
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
Thin and watery periods
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 or Kidney Qi Deficiency
Thin menstrual blood
Along with: Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Spontaneous sweat, Generalized fatigue
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Thin and watery periods
Kidney-Deficiency
Thin and watery periods
Along with: Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Frequent urination, Late menstruation, Chills, Cold extremities
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Thin and watery periods
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Thin and watery periods
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
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Thin and watery periods
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Thin and watery periods
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
Heat
Causes: Thin and watery periods
Heat in the Blood
Thin and watery periods
Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation
Herbal Formulas for Thin Menstrual Blood
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address thin menstrual blood
Liang Di Tang
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Cools Blood
- Stop bleeding
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Invigorates the Blood
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Sheng Yu Tang
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Preserves the Blood
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia...
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Qing Jing San
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Blood-Heat
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
You Gui Wan
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
- Replenishes the Essence
- Tonifies the Blood
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Er Xian Tang
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys
- Clears Empty Heat
- Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia...
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
- Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
He Che Da Zao Wan
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Kidneys
- Strengthens the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
- Regulates the periods
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia...
Di Gu Pi Yin
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Er Zhi Wan
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Liver Yin
- Nourishes Kidney Yin
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Gu Chong Tang
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Stabilizes the Penetrating Vessel
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations
Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Yang
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Ju Yuan Jian
Addresses these thin menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
Addresses These Thin Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin and watery periods
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...