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 some issue? 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 wrong and think there might be a problem.
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 bleeding, 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 features: Reduced menstrual volume, or minimal bleeding, pale in color without clots. Systemic 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, pale red or dark red in color, thin in texture. Systemic symptoms: Lower back and knee weakness, heel pain, dizziness and tinnitus, cold lower abdomen, frequent nighttime urination, pale tongue, and deep weak pulse. Treatment: Tonifying the kidneys, nourishing blood, and regulating menstruation. Prescription: Guixin Pills.
Blood Stasis Syndrome:
Clinical features: Reduced menstrual volume, dark purple or black in color, with blood clots. Systemic 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 in color, viscous and greasy like phlegm. Systemic symptoms: Obesity, stuffy chest, nausea, or excessive greasy leukorrhea, 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 (the four diagnostic methods) to prescribe the correct medication for effective treatment. Wishing you a speedy recovery.