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.
Less and less menstruation at each cycle 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 less and less menstruation at each cycle 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 less and less menstruation at each cycle is often associated with dizziness, depression and insomnia in the pattern “Qi and Blood Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause less and less menstruation at each cycle.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of less and less menstruation at each cycle we’ve identified four 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 less and less menstruation at each cycle.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause less and less menstruation at each cycle
In Chinese Medicine less and less menstruation at each cycle is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) is the king ingredient for Xiao Yao San, a formula used for Qi and Blood Stagnation
Qi and Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red), Red, Red sides
In addition to less and less menstruation at each cycle, other symptoms associated with Qi and Blood Stagnation include dizziness, depression and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi and Blood Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Absence Of Menstruation or Menopausal Syndrome.
Qi and Blood Stagnation is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
Coco-Grass Rhizomes (Xiang Fu) is the king ingredient for Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan, a formula used for Phlegm in the Uterus
Phlegm in the Uterus
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
In addition to less and less menstruation at each cycle, other symptoms associated with Phlegm in the Uterus include fatigue, chest fullness and overweight.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm in the Uterus is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
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".
Dong Quai (Dang Gui) is the king ingredient for Sheng Yu Tang, a formula used for Blood and Qi Deficiency
Blood and Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to less and less menstruation at each cycle, other symptoms associated with Blood and Qi Deficiency include dizziness, depression and fatigue.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood and Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menstrual Cramps or Absence Of Menstruation.
Blood and Qi Deficiency is often treated with Sheng Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Sheng Yu 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: "Tonifies Qi and Blood".
Four herbal formulas that might help with less and less menstruation at each cycle
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Source date: Ming dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation. Tonifies Spleen. Clears Deficient Heat. Nourishes the blood.
Why might Jia Wei Xiao Yao San help with less and less menstruation at each cycle?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi and Blood Stagnation' of which less and less menstruation at each cycle is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi and Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Why might Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang help with less and less menstruation at each cycle?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm in the Uterus' of which less and less menstruation at each cycle is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm in the Uterus can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 14 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood. Nourishes the Heart. Calms the spirit.
Why might Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang help with less and less menstruation at each cycle?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which less and less menstruation at each cycle is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Source date: 1291 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver. Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen. Stops pain.
Why might Tao Hong Si Wu Tang help with less and less menstruation at each cycle?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi and Blood Stagnation' of which less and less menstruation at each cycle is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi and Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat less and less menstruation at each cycle
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with less and less menstruation at each cycle?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat less and less menstruation at each cycle as a symptom, like Jia Wei Xiao Yao San or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with less and less menstruation at each cycle?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat less and less menstruation at each cycle as a symptom, like Tao Hong Si Wu Tang or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
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.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with less and less menstruation at each cycle?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat less and less menstruation at each cycle as a symptom, like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with less and less menstruation at each cycle?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat less and less menstruation at each cycle as a symptom, like Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with less and less menstruation at each cycle?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat less and less menstruation at each cycle as a symptom, like Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang or Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Conditions associated with less and less menstruation at each cycle
Other symptoms often associated with less and less menstruation at each cycle
Dizziness Depression Fatigue Dry mouth Night sweats Insomnia Lower back pain Low energy Dark face Dry throat