TCM Syndrome Differentiation and Classification of Irregular Menstruation

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that menstrual fluid comes from the kidneys, and irregular menstruation is related to kidney function, spleen, liver, qi and blood, Chong channel, Ren channel, and uterus. Traditional Chinese medicine divides irregular menstruation into two categories: deficiency syndrome and excess syndrome. Deficiency syndrome is caused by weak qi and blood or liver and kidney deficiency, and excess syndrome is caused by poor circulation of qi and blood. Clinically, deficiency syndrome is more common and can be divided into the following types:

Kidney deficiency type

It is seen in late menarche, delayed menstruation, small amount of menstruation, normal or dark color, thin texture, accompanied by low back pain, normal or pale tongue, and deep pulse.

Blood deficiency type

It occurs in the late stage of menstruation with light-colored, clear and thin menstruation, accompanied by dizziness, insomnia, palpitations, pale complexion, fatigue, pale tongue and weak pulse.

Qi stagnation type

It occurs in the late stage of menstruation, with small amount of dark color and clots, and poor discharge, accompanied by lower abdominal distension and pain, breast distension and flank pain, depression, normal or slightly dark tongue, and stringy and astringent pulse.

Blood cold type

Seen in the late menstrual period, with small amount of dark blood, blood clots or light color and thin texture, accompanied by cold pain in the lower abdomen, prefer warmth and pressure, relieved by heat, or fear of cold and cold limbs, clear and long urine, thin stool, pale tongue, thin white fur, deep and tight pulse or deep and slow pulse

Blood heat type

The menstrual flow is heavy, dark red or purple-red, thick or with clots, accompanied by irritability, thirst, distension and pain in the waist and abdomen, yellow urine, dry stool, and a red tongue with yellow coating.

Real heat type

Menstruation comes early, with heavy flow, dark red or purple red in color, and thick and sticky texture, accompanied by irritability, dry mouth, flushed face, yellow urine, and dry stool.