Excessive Menstruation in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different excessive menstruation patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Excessive menstruation, medically known as menorrhagia, is a condition characterized by abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. It can involve a significant increase in the amount of blood lost during each period or the extension of the period beyond the typical duration.
Symptoms often include the need to use multiple sanitary products, passing large blood clots, and experiencing fatigue or anemia due to blood loss. Excessive menstruation can disrupt a woman's normal activities and may signal underlying health issues.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views excessive menstruation as a symptom of imbalance within the body's systems. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on the physical aspects of the condition, TCM looks at excessive menstruation as a sign of disharmony in the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood.
This perspective emphasizes identifying and correcting the underlying patterns of disharmony, which can vary from person to person. TCM aims to restore balance and harmony within the body, addressing both the symptoms and the root causes of excessive menstruation.
TCM Patterns for Excessive Menstruation
Heat
Intense, ascending pathogenic force that consumes body fluids, disturbs the mind, and accelerates all physiological processes
Causes: excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
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.
Heat in Uterus Blood
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods
Along with: Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face, Anger, Anxiety, Dark urine, Constipation
Heat in the Blood
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation
Damp-Heat
metrorrhagia
Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Feeling of heat, Feeling of heaviness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Acne
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
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: excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, Profuse menstrual bleeding, Menstrual blood gushes out
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
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
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
Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
Profuse menstrual bleeding, Menstrual blood gushes out
Along with: Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Thin menstrual blood, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations
Yin Deficiency
Depletion of cooling, moistening fluids causing dryness, false heat rising, and restless agitation throughout the body
Causes: flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
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
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Along with: Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Frequent urination, Late menstruation, Chills, Cold extremities
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
metrorrhagia
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods
Blood Stasis
Blood that is no longer flowing smoothly through the vessels
Causes: excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
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
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Along with: Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Lumps
Yang Deficiency
Insufficient yang qi causing coldness, fatigue, and diminished physiological functions throughout the body
Causes: metrorrhagia
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
metrorrhagia
Along with: Abdominal pain that worsens with cold, Urinary dysfunction, Deep pain and heaviness in limbs, Dizziness, Heavy sensation in the head, Edema, Diarrhea, Palpitations, Coughing, Vomit
Dampness
Heavy, sticky moisture that obstructs body functions and creates sluggishness
Causes: metrorrhagia
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
metrorrhagia
Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Feeling of heat, Feeling of heaviness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Acne
Herbal Formulas for Excessive Menstruation
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address excessive menstruation
Liang Di Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Clears Deficiency Heat
- Cools the Blood
- Regulates menstruation
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods
Er Zhi Wan
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin
- Tonifies the Kidneys
- Tonifies the Liver
- Cools the Blood
- Stops Bleeding
- Blackens the Hair and Beard
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods
Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Nourishes Blood
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Warms the Channels and Stops Bleeding
- Secures Essence and Stops Leakage
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal pain that worsens with cold, Urinary dysfunction, Deep pain and heaviness in limbs, Dizziness, Heavy sensation in the head, Edema...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney Yin
- Benefits Essence and Fills the Marrow
- Nourishes Blood
- Tonifies the Liver
- Strengthens the Lower Back and Knees
- Astringes and Secures Essence
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods
Ba Zheng San
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Drains Fire
- Promotes Urination and Relieves Stranguria
- Clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
- Promotes Urination and Drains Dampness
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat
How it manifests:
metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst...
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Middle and Augments Qi
- Raises sunken Yang
- Lifts Sunken Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Clears Heat from deficiency (sweet-warm method)
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Di Gu Pi Yin
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and Blood
- Clears Deficiency Heat
- Cools the Blood
- Harmonizes the Liver and Spleen
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Gu Chong Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Strengthens the Spleen
- Secures the Chong and Ren Vessels
- Astringes and Stops Bleeding
- Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Profuse menstrual bleeding, Menstrual blood gushes out
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Thin menstrual blood, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Nourishes Blood
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Tonifies Heart Qi
- Calms the Spirit
- Restores the Spleen's Governance of Blood
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Huai Jiao Wan
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Stops Diarrhea
- Cools the Blood and Stops Bleeding
- Disperses Wind
- Moves Qi
- Moistens the Intestines and Unblocks the Bowels
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Heat in Uterus Blood
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods
Accompanying symptoms:
Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face, Anger...
Ju Yuan Jian
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Raises sunken Yang
- Astringes and Stops Bleeding
- Rescues Devastated Yang from Collapse
- Strengthens the Spleen
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney Yin
- Supplements Liver and Spleen Yin
- Benefits Essence and Fills the Marrow
- Clears Deficiency Heat
- Drains Dampness and Resolves Turbidity
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Drains excess Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
- Clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
- Clears Heat from the Liver channel
- Promotes Urination and Drains Dampness
- Nourishes Blood and Yin to prevent damage from bitter cold
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Qing Jing San
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat from the Blood Level
- Cools the Blood
- Drains Kidney Fire
- Nourishes Yin
- Regulates menstruation
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Shi Xiao San
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Dissipates Nodules and Softens Hardness
- Alleviates Pain
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Nourishes Blood and Alleviates Pain
- Regulates menstruation
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Nourishes Blood
- Regulates menstruation
- Moves Qi in the Blood level
- Unblocks the Channels and Alleviates Pain
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
You Gui Wan
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Benefits Essence and Fills the Marrow
- Warms the Ming Men Fire
- Nourishes Blood
- Strengthens the Sinews and Bones
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus...
Zhu Yu Zhi Xue Tang
Addresses these excessive menstruation patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Stops Bleeding Without Retaining Stasis
- Cools the Blood
- Moves Qi
- Nourishes Yin and Subdues Yang
Addresses These Excessive Menstruation Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, metrorrhagia
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...