Scanty menstruation according to Chinese Medicine

Blood Deficiency is an obvious pattern for scanty periods. It is often due to a malfunction of the Spleen which is the base of Blood making. Spleen rules transformation and transportation of food Essences (nutrition), Qi, and Body Fluids and their distribution to other Zang Organs. Unhealthy or poor diet can hurt the Spleen Qi and impair its function. For example, a diet lacking in Blood-creating ingredients can cause Blood Deficiency. This is the reason some vegans sometimes have scanty menstruation or even no period at all when they don't pay attention to find protein substitute to replace meat or other non-veggie ingredients. 

Blood Deficiency can also be a result of prolonged chronic diseases or severe haemorrhages, such as menorrhagia or during birth giving. Finally, long-term use of the contraceptive pill may also cause this pattern. This is the reason it is more seen in younger girls or women.

The treatment principle is to nourish Blood, support the Spleen and boost Spleen Qi. It is also important to regulate the periods and fill the Sea of blood as well as the Penetrating and Directing Vessels. Women should also adopt a more nutritious diet with Blood-nourishing ingredients like red meat, eggs, spinach, mushrooms or carrots. 

Compared with other patterns, Blood Deficiency is the easiest one to solve. However, if it is caused by an over consumption of contraceptive pills, it may take many months or even a year for the period volume to recover.

Read more about Blood Deficiency here

Blood Stagnation in the Uterus can be caused by traumas and abdominal surgery, especially due to the adhesions formed after repeated operations. Another cause is when emotional stress leads to Liver Qi stagnation which itself can lead to Liver Blood Stagnation if the situation becomes chronic. 

Blood Stagnation can also be caused by internal Cold in the Uterus. It is a common reason for young school girls who have scanty period because they do sport outdoor on cold and damp days and don't wear enough clothes to keep adequately warm. 

The treatment principle is to invigorate Blood, eliminate Stagnation and regulate the periods. The patients should also make sure to have regular, gentle exercise to move Qi and Blood. 

Read more about Blood Stagnation here

Dampness weakens the Spleen and it can become Phlegm if it is left untreated for a long time. Over-consumption of greasy fried foods or dairy foods are typically the main underlying causes.

When Phlegm accumulates in the Uterus, the Directing and Penetrating Vessels are obstructed and this leads to scanty periods. Often patients suffering from this pattern tend to be overweight or obese. It is because Phlegm impairs the Spleen's functions and thus foods and drinks can not be transformed to food Qi and Body Fluids appropriately. As a rule of thumb, Chinese Medicine practitioners see that overly thin women with scanty periods will often have Blood Deficiency while overweight ones are more due to Damp-Phlegm. 

Patients suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also often have scanty periods too due to Phlegm and they are often obese (although it might not necessary for all cases).

Phlegm is the most difficult scanty periods causing pattern to treat, especially for women with PCOS. It often degenerate into amenorrhoea(a total absence of menstruation) and it may takes several years to solve the condition. 

The treatment principle is to resolve Phlegm, dry Dampness, tonify the Spleen and regulate the periods. Patients should also quit dairy and greasy food which cause Dampness and Phlegm. They should also do regular exercise to increase their body metabolism. 

Read more about Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus here

Kidney Yin Deficiency can be the result of hereditary weakness, overwork under stress or having too many children or abortions too close to each other. With this pattern, Body Fluids is depleted and Kidney Essence fails to fill the 'Sea of Blood' and the Penetrating and Directing Vessels. Thus periods become scanty. 

Even though the mentioned symptoms are typically caused by Kidney Yin Deficiency, this pattern name is just Kidney Deficiency. It is because Kidney Yang and Yin are interdependent and closely related. The herbal formulas typically recommended to solve this tonify both Kidney Yin and Yang. 

The treatment principle is to strengthen the Kidneys, tonify Yang and Yin, nourish Blood and Essence and regulate the periods. It is essential to nourish Blood as well because Blood Deficiency often accompanies Kidney Yang Deficiency. The patients should also make sure to avoid overwork and take adequate rest.

Read more about Kidney-Deficiency here