Thin Menstrual Bloodaccording to TCM
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Symptom family: Abnormal Menstrual Flow, Texture or Color
Did you mean? Scanty Menstruation
What is Thin Menstrual Blood?
Thin menstrual blood, characterized by a lighter and more watery consistency than normal, is a variation in menstrual flow. This symptom, also known as light menstrual bleeding or watery menstrual flow, indicates a departure from the typical texture and density of menstrual blood.
It's important to differentiate this from scanty menstruation, which refers to a reduced quantity, whereas thin menstrual blood pertains more to the quality and constitution of the blood.
How does TCM view Thin Menstrual Blood?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches thin menstrual blood as a symptom indicative of underlying imbalances within the body’s systemic harmony. Unlike Western medicine that often focuses on the symptom in isolation, TCM considers thin menstrual blood as a signal of deeper disharmonies in the body's energies or Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang.
This perspective underscores the necessity of identifying the root cause of the imbalance, which could stem from Qi Deficiency, Yin Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, or Heat, to effectively treat the symptom.
Root Causes of Thin Menstrual Blood in TCM
In TCM, several patterns are identified as potential causes of thin menstrual blood. Qi Deficiency, particularly Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency, may manifest with symptoms like pale menstrual flow and prolonged periods, indicating a lack of vital energy to support blood's normal density. Qi Deficiency alone, characterized by generalized weakness and fatigue, could also lead to this symptom.
Yin Deficiency, particularly Kidney Yin Deficiency, often presents with a pale menstrual flow and accompanying symptoms like back pain and dizziness, suggesting an imbalance in the body's nourishing and cooling aspect.
Yang Deficiency, specifically Kidney Yang Deficiency, with symptoms like cold knees and lower back pain, indicates a lack of warming and activating energy, which could result in a thin and watery menstrual flow.
Lastly, Heat patterns, particularly Heat in the Blood, can manifest as thin and watery periods, accompanied by symptoms like red skin eruptions and a feeling of heat, suggesting an excess of heat in the body affecting the blood's quality.
Explore below more details about what might cause Thin menstrual blood according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- By Organ
- Qi Deficiency
- Yin Deficiency
- Yang Deficiency
- View More Causes
Qi Deficiency
Qi Deficiency in TCM is like running low on battery power. Qi is the vital energy that powers every function in your body. When there's a Qi Deficiency, it means your body doesn't have enough of this essential energy. This can make you feel tired all the time, weak, or even cause shortness of breath. It's similar to how you feel when you haven't had enough sleep or nutritious food. Your body just doesn't have the energy it needs to perform at its best. Unlike modern medicine, which often focuses on specific physical causes for fatigue and weakness, TCM views Qi Deficiency as an overall energy depletion that affects your entire well-being, and it seeks to replenish and balance this vital energy.... see more
Qi Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Thin Menstrual Blood
Common Symptoms: Pale Menstrual Flow Shortness Of Breath Palpitations Dizziness Spontaneous Sweat Generalized Fatigue General Weakness Lack Of Appetite
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency | Thin menstrual blood, Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations... see more | Gu Chong Tang |
| Qi Deficiency | Thin and watery periods, General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Low energy, Reluctance to speak, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Lack of appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of breath... see more | Gui Pi Tang | Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang | Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang | Ju Yuan Jian |
| Qi and Blood Deficiency | Thin and watery periods, General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Reluctance to speak, Lack of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness... see more | Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang | Sheng Yu Tang |
| Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency | Thin menstrual blood, Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Spontaneous sweat, Generalized fatigue... see more | Gui Pi Tang | Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang | He Che Da Zao Wan |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Thin Menstrual Blood
To address these underlying patterns, TCM recommends various formulas and herbs. For Qi Deficiency, Gu Chong Tang and Gui Pi Tang are prescribed to strengthen the Qi and stabilize the menstrual blood. Liang Di Tang and You Gui Wan are suggested for Yin Deficiency to nourish Yin and enrich the blood.
For Yang Deficiency, Er Xian Tang is used to tonify Yang and warm the body. To clear Heat, especially from the Blood, Qing Jing San and Long Dan Xie Gan Tang are recommended. These formulas contain key herbs like Cornelian Cherries, Ginseng, and Chinese Gentian, each selected to target specific imbalances contributing to thin menstrual blood. The treatment goal in TCM is not just to address the symptom but to restore overall balance and harmony within the body.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address thin menstrual blood, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Qi Deficiency
- Yin Deficiency
- Yang Deficiency
- View More Causes
Top Formula for Qi Deficiency:
Gui Pi Tang
Suitable for Qi Deficiency patterns that may cause thin menstrual blood, such as Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency or Qi Deficiency
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Thin Menstrual Blood Caused by Qi Deficiency
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Gui Pi Tang | Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency, Qi Deficiency |
| Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang | Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency, Qi Deficiency |
| He Che Da Zao Wan | Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency |
| Gu Chong Tang | Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency |
| Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang | Qi Deficiency |
| Ju Yuan Jian | Qi Deficiency |
| Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang | Qi and Blood Deficiency |
| Sheng Yu Tang | Qi and Blood Deficiency |
TCM Herbs for Thin Menstrual Blood
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address thin menstrual blood, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Tonic herbs for yang deficiency
- Herbs that cool the blood
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Thin menstrual blood can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for thin menstrual blood, like Gui Pi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for thin menstrual blood
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) | Gui Pi Tang | Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang | Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang | Ju Yuan Jian |
| Ginseng (Ren Shen) | Gui Pi Tang | Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang | Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang |
| Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu) | Gui Pi Tang | Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang |
| Liquorice (Gan Cao) | Gui Pi Tang |