Chinese Medicine for Heavy Periods
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Wokingham
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) — defined as blood loss exceeding 80ml per cycle or periods lasting more than seven days — affects approximately 1 in 3 women at some point. It is debilitating, leads to iron deficiency anaemia, and significantly impacts quality of life. In traditional Chinese medicine, heavy periods reflect one of several distinct patterns — and getting the diagnosis right is essential, as the treatments differ considerably.
TCM Patterns
Qi deficiency — the spleen fails to hold blood within the vessels. The flow is pale, watery, and prolonged, with fatigue, breathlessness, and pallor. Blood heat — excess heat in the blood causes it to move recklessly. The flow is heavy, bright or dark red, often with clots, and accompanied by thirst and irritability. Blood stasis — paradoxically, stagnant blood obstructing the uterus causes both clotting and heavy or prolonged flow as the uterus struggles to complete shedding. Dark clots, cramping that improves when a clot passes, and a purplish tongue are characteristic. Kidney deficiency — the thoroughfare and conception vessels fail to hold blood. Often seen in perimenopause or after prolonged illness.
Medical Causes to Exclude
Always rule out fibroids, adenomyosis, endometrial polyps, thyroid dysfunction, and coagulation disorders with your GP before beginning TCM treatment. TCM works well alongside any conventional investigation.
Treatment
For spleen qi deficiency, Gui Pi Tang and Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang tonify qi to hold blood. For blood heat, cooling and heat-clearing formulas address the underlying drive. For blood stasis, modified Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan gently resolves stasis. Acupuncture regulates uterine blood flow and addresses the underlying pattern throughout the cycle. I prescribe pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
To discuss heavy periods, contact me or book a consultation in Wokingham.
