Excessive Menstruationaccording to TCM
*redirected from Profuse periods
Symptom family: Excessive or Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Did you mean? Sudden Period Before Schedule Prolonged Menstruation
What is Excessive Menstruation?
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.
How Does TCM View Excessive Menstruation?
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.
Root Causes of Excessive Menstruation in TCM
TCM attributes excessive menstruation to several potential causes. One common cause is Heat in the Blood, which leads to increased blood flow and can manifest as heavy menstrual bleeding. Symptoms of this pattern include a sensation of heat, thirst, and possibly red skin eruptions.
Another cause can be Qi Deficiency, where the body lacks the strength to regulate menstrual flow properly. This Deficiency can lead to symptoms like generalized fatigue, weakness, and spontaneous sweating. These patterns illustrate how TCM interprets physical symptoms as manifestations of deeper imbalances within the body's energy system.
Explore below more details about what might cause Excessive menstruation according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- By Organ
- Heat
- Qi Deficiency
- Yin Deficiency
- View More Causes
Heat
In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more
Heat Patterns That Can Lead to Excessive Menstruation
Common Symptoms: Thirst Dark Urine Thick Menstrual Blood Restlessness Feeling Of Heat Dizziness Sudden Period Before Schedule Dark Menstrual Blood
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Heat in Uterus Blood | excessive menstruation, excessive periods, heavy menstruation, heavy periods, menorrhagia, profuse menstruation, profuse periods, Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face, Anger, Anxiety, Dark urine, Constipation... see more | Huai Jiao Wan |
| Heat in the Blood | flooding and dribbling, flooding and dripping, flooding and trickling, flooding and leaking, Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation... see more | Qing Jing San | Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Liang Di Tang | Di Gu Pi Yin |
| Damp-Heat | metrorrhagia, 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... see more | Ba Zheng San |
| Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood | metrorrhagia, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods... see more | Liang Di Tang | Zuo Gui Wan | Er Zhi Wan | Liu Wei Di Huang Wan |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Excessive Menstruation
To treat excessive menstruation, TCM practitioners often use specific formulas and herbs based on the identified pattern of disharmony. For Heat in the Blood, formulas such as Huai Jiao Wan, which includes Pagoda tree pods (Huai jiao), are used to cool the Blood and stop bleeding.
In cases of Qi Deficiency, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, containing Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), may be prescribed to tonify Qi and stabilize the menstrual flow. These treatments are tailored to the individual's unique pattern of disharmony, aiming to alleviate the symptoms of excessive menstruation by restoring the natural balance within the body.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address excessive menstruation, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Heat
- Qi Deficiency
- Yin Deficiency
- View More Causes
Top Formula for Heat:
Liang Di Tang
Suitable for Heat patterns that may cause excessive menstruation, such as Heat in the Blood or Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Excessive Menstruation Caused by Heat
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Liang Di Tang | Heat in the Blood, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood |
| Zuo Gui Wan | Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood |
| Er Zhi Wan | Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood |
| Huai Jiao Wan | Heat in Uterus Blood |
| Qing Jing San | Heat in the Blood |
| Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Heat in the Blood |
| Di Gu Pi Yin | Heat in the Blood |
| Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood |
| Ba Zheng San | Damp-Heat |
TCM Herbs for Excessive Menstruation
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address excessive menstruation, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Herbs that stop bleeding
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Excessive menstruation can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Flying Squirrel Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for excessive menstruation, like Shi Xiao San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for excessive menstruation
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Flying Squirrel Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi) | Shi Xiao San |
| Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) | Tao Hong Si Wu Tang |
| Safflowers (Hong Hua) | Tao Hong Si Wu Tang |
| Donkey-Hide Gelatin (E Jiao) | Not applicable |
| Silvery Wormwood Leaves (Ai Ye) | Not applicable |
| Spikemoss (Juan Bai) | Not applicable |