Heavy menstruation according to Chinese Medicine
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.
Menorrhagia, Heavy periods, Profuse menstruation, Profuse periods, Excessive periods and Excessive menstruation redirect here
Heavy menstruation factsheet
Chinese name: 月经过多
Pinyin name: Yuè Jīng Guò Duō
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Tiredness Weak Limbs Palpitations and three other symptoms
Recommended formula: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang and two other formulas
Symptoms: Painful period Abdominal pain Dark colored blood and one other symptom
Recommended formula: Si Wu Tang and one other formula
Heavy menstruation is different from abnormal uterine bleeding (also called "flooding and trickling") even though the pathology behind these two conditions is fairly similar. The latter is much more severe and requests a much longer time to cure.
Heavy menstruation simply suggests that the volume of blood discharge is heavier than it should be in "normal" periods, but the periods happen on time and last more or less 5 days (as is normal). Abnormal uterine bleeding on the other hand refers to sudden and very profuse bleeding that often starts ahead of schedule and then continues trickling for a long time after the periods end.
As you can see below we've detailed for you the three "patterns of disharmony" associated with heavy menstruation. Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to a Western condition, as a matter of fact here heavy menstruation can be explained by three different patterns.
Each of those patterns can be treated with one or several herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. It is the Chinese Medicine equivalent to drugs, apart that it's 100% natural!
In total we detail below six formulas that can help treat the various patterns that cause heavy menstruation, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The three "patterns of disharmony" associated with heavy menstruation
Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) is the key herb for Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a formula used for Qi Deficiency
Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formulas: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Gui Pi Tang, Ju Yuan Jian
Symptoms: Tiredness Weak Limbs Palpitations Shortness of breath Pale menstrual blood Thin and watery periods
Qi Deficiency is a key cause of heavy menstruation and abnormal uterine bleeding. The way it works is that Qi is not firm enough to hold Blood in the vessels and it therefore flows out unwantedly. The Directing and Penetrating Vessels are also too weak to contain Blood.
The Spleen is the major Organ involved in this pattern because its role is to 'transform and transport' food and drinks, extracting Grain Qi (Gu Qi) out of them, and distributing it to other Organs and Blood vessels. Malfunction of the Spleen causes general Qi Deficiency. It also controls the raising of Qi in the body. A key underlying cause for this is excessive physical work or sport which can harm the Spleen.
The treatment principle is to tonify and raise Qi, strengthen the Spleen, the Directing and Penetrating Vessels as well as contain Blood. Our three recommended formulas all follow these principles.
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the key herb for Si Wu Tang, a formula used for Blood Stagnation
Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Purple in the centre
Recommended herbal formulas: Si Wu Tang, Shi Xiao San
Symptoms: Painful period Abdominal pain Dark colored blood Dark clots in menstrual blood
Emotional stress can cause Liver Qi Stagnation which can develop into Heat in the Blood or, alternatively, Blood Stagnation. A difficult childbirth or abdominal surgery may also be causes of Blood Stagnation. No matter what the original cause, the Directing and Penetrating Vessels as well the Uterus will become blocked and newly created Blood has no place to go and thus spills out of Vessels, hence the excessive amount of blood during menstruation.
The treatment principle is to invigorate Blood, eliminate Stagnation, stop bleeding and regulate the periods.
Pagoda Tree Pods (Huai jiao) is the key herb for Huai Jiao Wan, a formula used for Heat in Uterus Blood
Heat in Uterus Blood
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Huai Jiao Wan
Symptoms: Anger Thirst Anxiety Headaches Dark Urine Restlessness Feeling of heat Dark colored blood Thick menstrual blood Sticky menstrual blood
Long term emotional stress such as anger, frustration and resentment, or a sudden emotional upset can lead to Liver Qi stagnation. If untreated for a while, it can then develops to Liver Fire or Heat, which agitates the Blood. As a result an excessive amount of Blood leaks out of vessels, hence the heavy menstruation. External factors such as an excessive consumption of spicy & hot food or alcohol as well as overexposure to hot environment can also cause Heat in the Blood.
The treatment principle is to clear Heat, cool Blood and stop bleeding. Huai Jiao Wan is a good herbal formula for this.
The six herbal formulas that might help with heavy menstruation
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Why might Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang help with heavy menstruation?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Qi Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with heavy menstruation. If it looks like you might suffer from Qi Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Why might Si Wu Tang help with heavy menstruation?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Blood Stagnation, a pattern sometimes associated with heavy menstruation. If it looks like you might suffer from Blood Stagnation, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Huai Jiao Wan
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Clears heat from the Intestines. Stops bleeding. Disperses wind. Regulates Qi.
Why might Huai Jiao Wan help with heavy menstruation?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat in Uterus Blood, a pattern sometimes associated with heavy menstruation. If it looks like you might suffer from Heat in Uterus Blood, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Gui Pi Tang
Source date: 1529 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood. Tonifies Heart and Spleen.
Why might Gui Pi Tang help with heavy menstruation?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Qi Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with heavy menstruation. If it looks like you might suffer from Qi Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Ju Yuan Jian
Why might Ju Yuan Jian help with heavy menstruation?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Qi Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with heavy menstruation. If it looks like you might suffer from Qi Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to heavy menstruation
Dark colored blood Pale menstrual blood Thin and watery periods Tiredness Palpitations Shortness of breath Weak Limbs Dark clots in menstrual blood Painful period Abdominal pain
