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.
Shortened menstrual cycle in women 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 shortened menstrual cycle in women 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 shortened menstrual cycle in women is often associated with fixed pain in the hypochondria, headaches and dizziness in the pattern “Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of shortened menstrual cycle in women we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Long Dan Xie Gan Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause shortened menstrual cycle in women
In Chinese Medicine shortened menstrual cycle in women is a symptom for the pattern "Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder
Pulse type(s): Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to shortened menstrual cycle in women, other symptoms associated with Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder include fixed pain in the hypochondria, headaches and dizziness.
Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder is often treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Chinese Gentian - Long Dan Cao - as a key herb). Long Dan Xie Gan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from the organs", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder".
Read more about Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder here
A herbal formula that might help with shortened menstrual cycle in women
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with shortened menstrual cycle in women?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder' of which shortened menstrual cycle in women is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heat Excess In The Liver Or Gallbladder include fixed pain in the hypochondria, headaches and dizziness.
Chinese Gentian might help with shortened menstrual cycle in women
Why might Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) help with shortened menstrual cycle in women?
Because it is a key herb in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder' (a pattern with shortened menstrual cycle in women as a symptom)
Chinese Gentian is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians. Clears Liver-Fire. Clears Liver-Wind.
Other symptoms often associated with shortened menstrual cycle in women
Fixed pain in the hypochondria Headaches Dizziness Red and sore eyes Diminished hearing Swelling in the ears Bitter taste in the mouth Irritability Short temper Painful urination