Bleeding Between Periods — Causes and TCM Treatment
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Wokingham
Intermenstrual bleeding — spotting or bleeding that occurs outside of the normal menstrual period — is a symptom that should always be investigated medically before attributing it to a hormonal pattern. In traditional Chinese medicine, however, once serious causes have been excluded, intermenstrual bleeding has clear pattern diagnoses and responds well to treatment.
When to See Your GP First
New or unexplained bleeding between periods should always be assessed by your GP to rule out cervical or endometrial pathology, STIs (particularly chlamydia), endometrial polyps, and — in women over 40 — endometrial hyperplasia or cancer. Post-coital bleeding (bleeding after sex) specifically warrants cervical assessment. TCM treatment is appropriate once these causes have been excluded.
TCM Patterns
Mid-cycle spotting at ovulation — light pink or brown spotting at approximately day 14 reflects the small drop in oestrogen that accompanies the LH surge. In TCM this is a kidney yin deficiency pattern — insufficient yin to maintain the vessel integrity during the mid-cycle transition. Luteal phase spotting — brown or pink spotting in the days before the period reflects blood stasis preventing clean shedding, or kidney yang deficiency with insufficient progesterone to maintain the lining. This pattern is associated with a luteal phase defect. Blood heat — excess heat causing the blood to move outside the vessels at any phase of the cycle.
Treatment
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine address the specific pattern identified. For kidney yin deficiency with mid-cycle spotting, yin-nourishing formulas in the follicular phase stabilise the vessels. For luteal phase spotting due to kidney yang deficiency, yang-tonifying treatment from ovulation supports progesterone and vessel integrity. I prescribe pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
To discuss intermenstrual bleeding, contact me or book a consultation in Wokingham.
