Every period feels like enduring a calamity: overnight pads soaked through in an hour, blood clots large as eggs, dizziness so severe I can't sit up... Heavy menstrual bleeding is not a minor issue! Long-term blood loss can trigger anemia, premature ovarian failure, and even infertility. What Chinese medicine can treat this?
What Causes Heavy Menstrual Bleeding?
According to Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert, TCM Gynecology Expert at Singapore Gong Fang Tang, heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) is called "Beng-Lou" (uterine bleeding) or "excessive menstrual flow" in TCM. Its essence is instability of the Chong and Ren meridians and unrest in the "Sea of Blood".
Qi Deficiency Failing to Contain Blood (Over 60%)
Root Cause: Chronic fatigue/overthinking/dieting → Damages Spleen Qi → Weakness in governing blood.
Manifestations: Pale, thin menstrual blood; shortness of breath, fatigue; sensation of emptiness and bearing-down in the lower abdomen.
Heat in the Blood Rampaging
Root Cause: Staying up late eating spicy foods/stress and anger → Liver Qi stagnation transforming into fire → Scorching the blood vessels.
Manifestations: Deep red, thick menstrual blood; many blood clots; dry mouth, constipation.
Blood Stasis Obstructing the Uterus
Root Cause: Abortion/uterine cold/Qi stagnation → Internal blood stasis → Blood failing to follow its proper path.
Manifestations: Purple-black menstrual blood with large clots; stabbing lower abdominal pain worse with pressure.
Kidney Deficiency and Chong-Ren Instability
Root Cause: Congenital weakness/multiple births/excessive sexual activity → Kidney Qi deficiency → Failure in sealing and storing.
Manifestations: Soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees; frequent nighttime urination; heavy flow accompanied by thin, clear leukorrhea.
What Are the Dangers of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding?
Acute Blood Loss Anemia
Hemoglobin <90g/L → Dizziness, palpitations, risk of fainting.
Real Data: 300% increased risk of anemia with heavy flow for 3 consecutive months.
Premature Ovarian Failure
Long-term blood loss causes pituitary overcompensation → Excessive consumption of follicles.
Secondary Infertility
Decreased endometrial receptivity + Luteal phase defect → Difficulty in embryo implantation.
Infection Risk
Cervix soaked in menstrual blood → Ascending infection causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
How Does TCM Regulate Heavy Menstrual Bleeding?
Targeting Qi Deficiency type heavy bleeding, Physician Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert recommends a millennium-old formula for stopping bleeding and regulating menstruation – Ju Yuan Jian (Lift the Source Decoction). This modified formula originates from the Ming Dynasty text "Jingyue Quanshu", specifically treating Beng-Lou (uterine bleeding) due to Qi Deficiency and Blood Sinking. It achieves dual-action bleeding control through "Tonifying Qi and Lifting + Securing the Chong Meridian and Containing Blood".
Ju Yuan Jian consists of: Ginseng (Renshen), Astragalus (Huangqi), White Atractylodes (Baizhu), Cimicifuga (Shengma), and Honey-fried Licorice (Zhigancao).
Actions in the Formula: Ginseng and Astragalus greatly tonify Original Qi. White Atractylodes fortifies the Spleen and boosts Qi. Cimicifuga lifts Middle Qi. Honey-fried Licorice harmonizes the herbs. Together, they achieve the effect of tonifying Qi to contain blood and raising Yang to stem collapse. It has a significant regulatory effect on heavy menstrual bleeding or Beng-Lou caused by Qi deficiency.
Adaptations:
Torrential flooding (Beng): Add Calcined Dragon Bone (Duan Longgu) + Carbonized Hair (Xueyutan) (Astringe and stem collapse).
Clots indicating stasis: Add Sanqi Powder (Sanqi Fen) (taken mixed with decoction) (Stop bleeding without leaving stasis).
Cold pain in waist/abdomen: Add Carbonized Mugwort Leaf (Aiye Tan) (Warm the channels and stop bleeding).
Physician Que's Special Reminder:
Golden Dosage Period: Start taking 3 days before the expected period, continue for 7 days (Blocks excessive bleeding).
Avoidance Guide: Contraindicated for Blood Heat type (bright red menstrual blood)!
Case Study
Patient: Ms. Wang, 32 years old.
Chief Complaint: Prolonged menstrual period for half a year, vaginal bleeding for over 20 days.
Present History: Patient previously had normal menstruation. For the past six months, menstrual periods prolonged, with spotting that wouldn't stop. Bleeding was heavy for the first 5 days of this current episode (still ongoing), then became scant and continuous after self-administered hemostatics. Blood color dark purple, accompanied by dizziness and fatigue.
First Consultation: Sallow complexion, lower back soreness, normal appetite, poor sleep, loose stools. Tongue: Purple-dark body, with stasis spots at edges, thin white coating. Pulse: Deep, thready.
TCM Diagnosis: Beng-Lou (Uterine Bleeding).
TCM Pattern Differentiation: Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis.
Treatment Principle: Boost Qi and Nourish Blood, Transform Stasis and Secure the Chong Meridian.
Formula: Modified Ju Yuan Jian. Original formula + Carbonized Hair (Xueyutan), Carbonized Schizonepeta (Jingjietan). 7 doses. 1 dose daily, decocted in water, taken twice daily (morning & evening).
Second Consultation: Patient reported vaginal bleeding stopped after 4 days of medication. Fatigue and weakness improved compared to before. Appetite and sleep normal. Bowel and urinary functions regulated. Tongue: Pale purple body, thin white coating. Pulse: Deep, thready. Adjusted formula, 10 doses. 1 dose daily, decocted in water.
Outcome: After 3 months of treatment with modified formulas based on the above, the patient's menstrual cycle regulated to 28-30 days, with a period duration of 5-7 days.
