Patient's question:
Menstruation is light, not sure if it's caused by blood deficiency or blood stasis?Doctor's answer:
Hello, this is a condition of reduced menstrual flow in traditional Chinese medicine theory, which refers to: relatively normal menstrual cycles with significantly decreased menstrual volume, or even minimal flow, or shortened menstrual periods of less than two days with also reduced volume. It can also be called excessive menstrual volume reduction.It is divided into: blood deficiency syndrome, kidney deficiency syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, and phlegm-dampness syndrome.
Blood Deficiency Syndrome:
Clinical features: Reduced menstrual volume, or minimal flow, pale without clots. General symptoms: Dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, a hollow sensation in the lower abdomen, pale pink tongue, and thin pulse. Treatment: Nourishing blood and regulating menstruation. Prescription: Zixue Decoction.
Kidney Deficiency Syndrome:
Menstrual volume is reduced, with pale red or dark red color, thin quality. General symptoms: Lower back and knee weakness, heel pain, dizziness and tinnitus, cold lower abdomen, frequent nighttime urination, pale tongue, and deep weak pulse. Treatment: Nourishing the kidneys, blood, and regulating menstruation. Prescription: Guixin Pills.
Blood Stasis Syndrome:
Clinical features: Reduced menstrual flow, dark purple-black color, with blood clots. General symptoms: Painful and distended lower abdomen, reduced menstrual pain after blood clots are expelled, purple or dark tongue with petechiae, and wiry or thready pulse. Treatment: Promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis to regulate menstruation. Prescription: Taohong Siwu Decoction (modified).
Phlegm-Dampness Syndrome:
Clinical features: Reduced menstrual volume, pale red color, viscous and greasy quality like phlegm. General symptoms: Obesity, stuffy chest, nausea, or excessive greasy leucorrhea, pale tongue with greasy white coating, and slippery pulse. Treatment: Resolving phlegm, drying dampness, and regulating menstruation. Prescription: Cangfu Daotan Pills.
However, traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment. It is best to consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner for a comprehensive clinical diagnosis (including inspection, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation) to prescribe the correct medication for effective treatment. Wishing you a speedy recovery.