Uterine Hemorrhage in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different uterine hemorrhage patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

Irregular or Abnormal Menstrual and Uterine Bleeding
6
TCM Patterns
14
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 6 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each uterine hemorrhage pattern
Classical remedies 14 herbal formulas documented
Related conditions

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), uterine hemorrhage is seen as a symptom of an underlying imbalance in the body's vital energies. TCM does not isolate this condition to the reproductive system but instead views it in relation to the overall harmony of Qi (life energy), Blood, Yin, and Yang within the body.

This holistic approach considers physical, emotional, and environmental factors, believing that uterine bleeding results from disharmonies in these elements. TCM emphasizes identifying the specific pattern of disharmony to effectively treat the condition.

TCM Patterns for Uterine Hemorrhage

Heat

Intense, ascending pathogenic force that consumes body fluids, disturbs the mind, and accelerates all physiological processes

Causes: Bloody vaginal discharge, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia

4 variations documented
Onset Can be sudden
Location Can be local or systemic
Features Red face/eyes • Thirst for cold drinks • Restlessness • Yellow/dark secretions

Heat is a major pathogenic factor in Traditional Chinese Medicine that can arise from external invasion or internal generation. Heat has the characteristics of burning intensity, rising upward, consuming qi and fluids, and generating wind and disturbing blood. In TCM philosophy, normal physiological warmth is called "minor fire" (少火) which maintains life functions, while pathological heat is "major fire" (壮火) which damages the body.

Toxic-Heat
How it presents with uterine hemorrhage

Bloody vaginal discharge

Along with: Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat in Uterus Blood
How it presents with uterine hemorrhage

menorrhagia

Along with: Excessive menstruation, Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat
How it presents with uterine hemorrhage

metrorrhagia

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
How it presents with uterine hemorrhage

metrorrhagia

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods

Qi Deficiency

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

Causes: menorrhagia

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 Deficiency
How it presents with uterine hemorrhage

menorrhagia

Along with: General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat,

Blood Stasis

Blood that is no longer flowing smoothly through the vessels

Causes: menorrhagia, metrorrhagia

1 variation 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 uterine hemorrhage

menorrhagia, metrorrhagia

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

Yin Deficiency

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

Causes: metrorrhagia

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 and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
How it presents with uterine hemorrhage

metrorrhagia

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods

Yang Deficiency

Insufficient yang qi causing coldness, fatigue, and diminished physiological functions throughout the body

Causes: metrorrhagia

1 variation documented
Onset Gradual
Location Systemic
Features Always cold • Fatigue • Pale face • Prefers warmth • Cold limbs

Yang Deficiency represents a fundamental weakness of the body's yang qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It manifests as an inability to warm the body, transform substances, and maintain normal physiological activities, resulting in various cold-type symptoms and functional decline.

Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with uterine hemorrhage

metrorrhagia

Along with: Abdominal pain that worsens with cold, Urinary dysfunction, Deep pain and heaviness in limbs, Dizziness, Heavy sensation in the head, Edema,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Heavy, sticky moisture that obstructs body functions and creates sluggishness

Causes: metrorrhagia

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-Heat
How it presents with uterine hemorrhage

metrorrhagia

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Uterine Hemorrhage

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address uterine hemorrhage

Ba Zheng San

Addresses these uterine hemorrhage patterns:

Heat Dampness

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Addresses these uterine hemorrhage patterns:

Qi Deficiency

Er Zhi Wan

Addresses these uterine hemorrhage patterns:

Heat Yin Deficiency

Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang

Addresses these uterine hemorrhage patterns:

Yang Deficiency

Gui Pi Tang

Addresses these uterine hemorrhage patterns:

Qi Deficiency

Huai Jiao Wan

Addresses these uterine hemorrhage patterns:

Heat

Ju Yuan Jian

Addresses these uterine hemorrhage patterns:

Qi Deficiency

Liang Di Tang

Addresses these uterine hemorrhage patterns:

Heat Yin Deficiency

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

Addresses these uterine hemorrhage patterns:

Heat Yin Deficiency