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 | Qi Stagnation · Blood Stasis · Qi Deficiency · Blood Deficiency |
| Related Classical Formulas | |
| Related Articles | Irregular Menstruation: Syndrome Differentiation and Daily Care |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
Classical Formulas Traditionally Associated
Associated with 17 classical formulas
Listed for study. Which formula fits, if any, depends on the pattern rather than the symptom.
Xiao Yao San
逍遙散 · Xiāo Yáo Sǎn
Qi StagnationHarmonising FormulasJia Wei Xiao Yao San
加味逍遙散 · Jiā Wèi Xiāo Yáo Sǎn
Qi StagnationHarmonising FormulasWen Jing Tang
溫經湯 · Wēn Jīng Tāng
Blood DeficiencyBlood-Tonifying FormulasTao He Cheng Qi Tang
桃核承氣湯 · Táo Hé Chéng Qì Tāng
Blood StasisBlood-Invigorating FormulasSi Wu Tang
四物湯 · Sì Wù Tāng
Blood DeficiencyBlood-Tonifying FormulasTao Hong Si Wu Tang
桃紅四物湯 · Táo Hóng Sì Wù Tāng
Blood StasisBlood-Invigorating FormulasShao Fu Zhu Yu Tang
少腹逐瘀湯 · Shǎo Fù Zhú Yū Tāng
Blood StasisBlood-Invigorating FormulasSheng Hua Tang
生化湯 · Shēng Huà Tāng
Blood StasisBlood-Invigorating FormulasBa Zhen Tang
八珍湯 · Bā Zhēn Tāng
Qi DeficiencyQi-Tonifying FormulasXiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang
芎歸膠艾湯 · Xiōng Guī Jiāo Ài Tāng
Blood DeficiencyBlood-Tonifying FormulasSheng Yu Tang
聖愈湯 · Shèng Yù Tāng
Qi DeficiencyQi-Tonifying FormulasGui Pi Tang
歸脾湯 · Guī Pí Tāng
Qi DeficiencyQi-Tonifying FormulasTiao Jing Wan
調經丸 · Tiáo Jīng Wán
Blood StasisBlood-Invigorating FormulasDang Gui Shao Yao San
當歸芍藥散 · Dāng Guī Sháo Yào Sàn
Blood DeficiencyBlood-Tonifying FormulasGui Zhi Fu Ling Tang
桂枝茯苓湯 · Guì Zhī Fú Líng Tāng
Blood StasisBlood-Invigorating FormulasWen Qing Yin
溫清飲 · Wēn Qīng Yǐn
Blood DeficiencyHarmonising FormulasFu Ke Bai Zi Ren Wan
女科柏子仁丸 · Fù Kē Bǎi Zǐ Rén Wán
Blood DeficiencyBlood-Tonifying FormulasLearn More About Irregular Menstruation
Related Health Topic
Women's Wellness — Formulas for menstrual regulation, reproductive health, and postpartum recovery.
Health Topic
See all Women's Wellness conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Traditional Chinese Medicine understand irregular menstruation?
In TCM, irregular menstruation (月经不调) reflects disharmony of the Chong and Ren vessels and imbalance of Qi and Blood. The Liver stores Blood and regulates Qi; the Spleen produces Blood; the Kidney stores Essence. Emotional constraint, overwork, Cold exposure, diet or constitutional deficiency can make the cycle early, late, irregular, scanty or heavy.
What are the common TCM patterns of irregular menstruation?
Frequent patterns include Liver Qi stagnation (cycle changes with stress, breast or rib-side distension), Blood deficiency (scanty pale flow, dizziness), Blood Heat (early or heavy bright-red flow), Kidney deficiency (late or scanty periods, low-back weakness), Cold in the uterus, and Blood stasis (clots, fixed pain). Accurate pattern differentiation determines the treatment approach.
How does TCM regulate irregular menstruation?
The main principles are to soothe the Liver, nourish Blood, clear Heat, warm the uterus, tonify the Kidney or resolve stasis according to the pattern. Formulas such as modifications of Xiao Yao San, Si Wu Tang or Wen Jing Tang may be considered. Regulation usually follows the menstrual cycle. Internal treatment should be guided by a qualified TCM practitioner.
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This library is educational. It describes how Traditional Chinese Medicine has traditionally understood these presentations. It is not a diagnosis, and it is not a treatment recommendation.
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