Irregular Menstruation

月經不調 / 月经不调

Unpredictable cycle length, timing, or flow.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Women's Wellness
Also Known As	Irregular periods, Cycle irregularity, Unpredictable periods, Menstrual irregularity, Erratic cycle
Common Symptoms	Menstrual cycles that come early, late, or with unpredictable timing and volume. Flow may be heavy or scanty, colour may be pale or dark, and clots or premenstrual discomfort can appear. Cycle length and character often shift over successive months.
Related TCM Patterns	Blood Stasis · Blood Deficiency · Qi Deficiency · Qi Stagnation
Related Classical Formulas	Xiao Yao San · Jia Wei Xiao Yao San · Wen Jing Tang · Tao He Cheng Qi Tang · Si Wu Tang · Tao Hong Si Wu Tang · Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang · Sheng Hua Tang · Ba Zhen Tang · Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang · Sheng Yu Tang · Gui Pi Tang · Tiao Jing Wan · Dang Gui Shao Yao San · Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang

Irregular Menstruation in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, irregular menstruation is differentiated by pattern rather than treated as one uniform cycle problem. Blood stasis, Blood deficiency, Qi stagnation and Qi deficiency are among the patterns that may present with irregular timing or volume. Differentiation weighs the colour and quality of the flow, the presence of clots or pain, emotional changes before the period, and overall energy and complexion. Classical formulas are matched to these pattern features, not to irregularity as a single label.

TCM Patterns Associated With Irregular Menstruation

The same presentation may be understood through more than one pattern. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying signs, not the symptom on its own.

Pattern	Common Features	Related Formulas
Blood Stasis血瘀證Stagnation Patterns	Fixed, stabbing or piercing pain that does not move freely, often worse at night or with pressure. The complexion may look darker or purplish, and in women the menstrual flow can be dark with clots. Lips or nails may appear dusky. Tongue dark or with purple spots or congested veins under the tongue; pulse choppy or wiry and hesitant.	Tao He Cheng Qi Tang Tao Hong Si Wu Tang Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang Sheng Hua Tang Tiao Jing Wan Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang
Blood Deficiency血虛證Deficiency Patterns	A pale or sallow complexion, dry hair or skin, light-headedness on standing, blurred vision, and easy fatigue. In women the menstrual flow is often scanty and pale. Sleep may be light, and the hands and feet can feel numb when tired. Tongue pale and thin; pulse thin and weak.	Wen Jing Tang Si Wu Tang Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Qi Deficiency氣虛證Deficiency Patterns	Easy fatigue, shortness of breath on mild effort, a soft or low voice, and spontaneous sweating with light activity. The complexion is often pale, and recovery after exertion is slow. There may be a tendency to catch external pathogens more easily. Tongue pale with a thin white coating; pulse weak or empty.	Ba Zhen Tang Sheng Yu Tang Gui Pi Tang
Qi Stagnation氣滯證Stagnation Patterns	Distension, tightness or a constrained feeling in the chest, flanks or abdomen that comes and goes with emotion or stress. Frequent sighing, a sense that emotions are hard to move, and in women premenstrual breast or lower abdominal discomfort are common. Symptoms often ease after movement, expression or belching. Tongue may be normal or slightly dusky; pulse wiry.	Xiao Yao San Jia Wei Xiao Yao San