Patient's question:
Doctor:Hello!
I am 22 years old. My first menstrual period started when I was 15. At that time, the flow was not much, and it lasted only five days. Later, for five years, my periods were irregular. Sometimes I had two or three periods in a month, and other times it took two or three months to have one. Last year, they became almost normal, but the flow was still very light, lasting only two days. It was really very little. I heard that having a poor menstrual flow can be a problem. Will I have something wrong with me? My mother said that when she was young, her flow was also light, and she told me not to worry. But I still feel something is not right and think there might be an issue.
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 reduced volume. It can also be called excessive reduction in menstrual volume.It is divided into: blood deficiency syndrome, kidney deficiency syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, and phlegm-dampness syndrome.
Blood Deficiency Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Reduced menstrual volume, or minimal flow, with pale color and no clots. General symptoms: Dizziness and blurred vision, palpitations, a hollow sensation in the lower abdomen, pale pink tongue, and thin pulse. Treatment method: Nourishing blood and regulating menstruation. Medication: Zixue Decoction.
Kidney Deficiency Syndrome:
Menstrual volume is reduced, with pale red or dark red color and thin texture. 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 method: Tonifying the kidneys, nourishing blood, and regulating menstruation. Medication: Guixin Pills.
Blood Stasis Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Reduced menstrual flow, dark purple-black color with blood clots. General symptoms: Painful and resistant lower abdominal distension, reduced menstrual pain after blood clots are expelled, purple or dark tongue with petechiae, and wiry or thready pulse. Treatment method: Promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis to regulate menstruation. Medication: Taohong Siwu Decoction (modified).
Phlegm-Dampness Syndrome:
Clinical characteristics: Reduced menstrual flow, pale red color with sticky and phlegmy texture. General symptoms: Obesity, stuffy chest, nausea, or excessive sticky leukorrhea, pale tongue with greasy white coating, and slippery pulse. Treatment method: Resolving phlegm, drying dampness, and regulating menstruation. Medication: 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.