The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
delayed period, late menstruation and late period redirect here
Delayed menstruation can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like delayed menstruation here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here delayed menstruation is often associated with scanty periods, dizziness and lower abdominal pain in the pattern “Blood Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause delayed menstruation.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of delayed menstruation we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat delayed menstruation.
In Chinese Medicine delayed menstruation is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Si Wu Tang, a formula used for Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Someone has a Deficiency of Blood when their entire body, a part of body or a particular Organ is insufficiently nourished by Blood. This can be caused by blood-loss, a lack of of Spleen Qi (responsible to produce Blood) or congealed Blood which prevents new Blood from forming.
In addition to delayed menstruation, other symptoms associated with Blood Deficiency include scanty periods, dizziness and lower abdominal pain.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Blood Deficiency is often treated with Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Si Wu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Restores and nourishes Blood".
Coco-Grass Rhizomes (Xiang Fu) is the king ingredient for Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan, a formula used for Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
In addition to delayed menstruation, other symptoms associated with Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus include scanty periods, dizziness and lower abdominal pain.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Scanty Menstruation or Absence Of Menstruation.
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus is often treated with Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Coco-Grass Rhizomes - Xiang Fu - as a key herb). Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Resolves Dampness and Phlegm".
The top herbs in Liu Wei Di Huang Wan are Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang), Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu) and Yam (Shan Yao)
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency' of which late menstruation is a symptom.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus' of which late period is a symptom.
The top herbs in Wei Ling Tang are Water Plantain (Ze Xie), Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Drains Dampness. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus' of which late period is a symptom.
The top herbs in Wan Dai Tang are Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu), Yam (Shan Yao) and Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Source date: 1826 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Middle Burner. Removes Dampness. Stops vaginal discharge. Strengthens the Spleen.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus' of which late period is a symptom.
The top herbs in Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang are Dong Quai (Dang Gui), Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) and Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia)
Source date: 1575 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Resolves Damp-Phlegm. Nourishes Blood.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus' of which late period is a symptom.
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat delayed menstruation as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat delayed menstruation as a symptom, like Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang or Xiao Yao San for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat delayed menstruation as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Wan or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat delayed menstruation as a symptom, like Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang or Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Because Cornelian Cherry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat delayed menstruation as a symptom, like Qi Ju Di Huang Wan or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Scanty periods Dizziness Lower abdominal pain Sore back Dark clots in menstrual blood Feeling of cold Pale menstrual blood Palpitations Fatigue Pale face