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.
Premature menopause 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 premature menopause 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 premature menopause is often associated with dizziness, night sweats and hot flushes in the pattern “Kidney Yang Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of premature menopause we’ve identified that a herbal formula called You Gui Wan can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Kidney Yang Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause premature menopause
In Chinese Medicine premature menopause is a symptom for the pattern "Kidney Yang Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness.
In addition to premature menopause, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include dizziness, night sweats and hot flushes.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yang Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yang Deficiency is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Yang".
A herbal formula that might help with premature menopause
You Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Why might You Gui Wan help with premature menopause?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which premature menopause is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Yang Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Menopausal Syndrome.
The three Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat premature menopause
Why might Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) help with premature menopause?
Because it is a key herb in You Gui Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' (a pattern with premature menopause as a symptom)
Prepared Aconite is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Raises the collapse of Yang. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold. Reduces Damp caused by Deficiency in Yang.
Why might Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao) help with premature menopause?
Because it is a key herb in You Gui Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' (a pattern with premature menopause as a symptom)
Deer Antler Glue is a Warm herb that tastes Salty and Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Yang tonification of the Kidneys and Liver, and to nourish vital Essence and Blood
Why might Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) help with premature menopause?
Because it is a key herb in You Gui Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' (a pattern with premature menopause as a symptom)
Cinnamon Bark is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and Kidneys and tonifies the Yang. Expels Cold, Warms the meridians, promotes circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves pain. Used with tonics to assist in the generation of Qi and Blood.
Conditions associated with premature menopause
Other symptoms often associated with premature menopause
Dizziness Night sweats Hot flushes Tinnitus Dry throat Malar flush Sore back Dry mouth Dry skin Constipation