In Singapore, many women suffer from prolonged menstrual bleeding. While a normal period lasts 5-7 days, some women experience periods lasting over ten days due to various reasons, unable to fully stop the bleeding. This symptom of prolonged menstruation with persistent light bleeding not only significantly impacts quality of life but can also lead to health issues like anemia.
TCM Practitioner Qiu Baorun from Singapore Gong Fang Tang TCM explains that prolonged menstrual bleeding, according to TCM theory, is closely related to Qi and blood, the internal organs, and the Chong and Ren meridians. The core pathological mechanisms include:
Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis: Long-term emotional depression or excessive stress can lead to liver Qi stagnation, obstructing the flow of Qi and blood. This causes blood stasis in the uterus, leading to thickened endometrium and continuous bleeding.
Spleen Deficiency Failing to Contain Blood: Those with spleen deficiency cannot effectively govern the blood, making them prone to prolonged periods, often accompanied by fatigue and a pale complexion.
Kidney Deficiency Failing to Secure: The kidneys govern storage. Kidney deficiency causes the Chong and Ren meridians to lose their ability to contain, resulting in continuous spotting. This is common in women experiencing long-term exhaustion or going through menopause.
How to Regulate Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding?
1. Classical Formula Regulation:
* For Blood Stasis Type: Use the Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Blood Mansion Expelling Stasis Decoction) from Corrections of Errors in Medical Classics. Herbs like peach kernel (Taoren) and safflower (Honghua) invigorate blood, resolve stasis, and unblock meridians. One patient experienced her period shorten from 13 days to 7 days after one month of treatment, with significant relief from abdominal pain.
* For Spleen Deficiency: Modified Gui Pi Tang (Spleen-Restoring Decoction) fortifies the spleen, boosts Qi, nourishes blood, and contains blood.
* For Kidney Deficiency: Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Golden Cabinet Kidney Qi Pill) warms and supplements kidney Yang, securing the Chong and Ren meridians.
2. Acupuncture for Enhanced Efficacy:
Select points like Guanyuan (CV4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Xuehai (SP10). Needling regulates the flow of Qi and blood. For example, for patients with liver Qi stagnation, Practitioner Qiu applies the reducing method at Taichong (LV3) to soothe the liver and resolve stagnation. Clinical results show reduced bleeding after 3-5 treatments.
3. Case Study:
* Patient: Ms. Li, 42 years old.
* Chief Complaint: Prolonged menstrual bleeding for nearly 2 years, each episode lasting 10-15 days. The flow was light but dark with clots.
* Initial Consultation: Pale tongue with white coating; deep, thready pulse.
* Diagnosis: Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis.
* Prescription: Modified Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Blood Mansion Expelling Stasis Decoction), combined with ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque (CV8). Dietary advice: avoid raw and cold foods. Foot baths before bed.
* Result: After one month of medication, her period shortened to 7 days. After two more months of regulation, her menstrual cycle returned to normal.
Lifestyle Guidance:
Patients are advised to avoid raw and cold foods, soak feet nightly with mugwort (Ai Ye) to warm and unblock meridians, and practice meditation to relieve stress, fundamentally improving their constitution.
TCM emphasizes treatment based on pattern differentiation. Formulas are tailored to the individual. The specific herbs, dosage, and usage must be adjusted under the guidance of a professional TCM practitioner based on the diagnosis. Never self-medicate blindly.
