As a tradition, I will talk about period to get more women to pay attention about themselves on Women’s Day.

Men, don't be shy to learn about this, too.

Period is not a taboo topic for a TCM doctor. In fact, we always ask ladies about all the details of their period! Why is that and what’s causing all the pain? Let’s get into it. 

Why do TCM doctors care so much about period? 

We take periods as a health check-up list: 

• Does it come regularly? 

• How long does it last? 

• The color of blood? 

• Any blood clots? 

• Having PMS? 

• Any cramps or headaches during the period? 

These questions helps the doctor to paint a picture of your body condition without doing a hormone check.

3 major systems that influence menstruation

Kidney

In TCM theory, the Kidney system stores the congenital essence. It makes up our human vitality, it is the material basis for all kinds of functional activities and is responsible for human growth and development. When a girl’s kidney energy have grown to a certain level, the body starts to mature. And that’s when she begins to have her period, a sign of the reproductive system is mature.

Spleen

The spleen is the primary organ responsible for digestion, its main function is to transform food into essence used for Qi and blood transformation. It governs the movement of blood by keeping it flowing in its proper pathways in the blood vessels. 

Liver

"The liver rules flowing and spreading." 

In TCM, the liver promotes flowing and spreading movements. It works like a switch. By stimulating flow, the liver adjusts and ensures the smooth movement of Qi, blood and body fluids, and spreads these substances to the entire body. While the liver also regulates emotions, when a person’s liver is dysfunction, liver Qi will be stuck and the person will feel cranky, stuffiness in the chest and headache.

Kidney + Spleen + Liver = Menstruation 

Kidney Qi, like our hormones, mature the reproductive system.

Spleen transforms Qi to blood.

Liver stores the blood.

The period comes when these three work harmonize together. 

Qi and Blood

Qi and Blood X Menstruation

Suffering from menstruation?

Keyword: Qi or Blood stagnation + cold

Common conditions

• Qi deficient + Blood stagnation

As above, Spleen transfer Qi into blood, and Liver Qi moves the blood. Meaning, when lack of Qi, not enough Qi can push the blood. 

Symptoms: menstruation cramp and blood clots.

• Qi stagnation + Blood stagnation

Another type of blood stagnation is caused by liver dysfunction. This is usually due to emotions, Liver Qi couldn’t flow smoothly and cause stagnation lead to blood stagnation. 

Symptoms: besides “menstruation cramp” and “blood clots”, there might be “chest pain” or “mood swings” before or after menstruation.

• Liver stagnation with spleen deficient/ Liver Ying deficiency 

Blood belongs to Ying energy, and Liver stores blood. When Liver Ying is deficient, there will be a low flow(period). This is mainly caused by staying up too late. Ying energy flows through the Liver around midnight (11pm-1am). If the body is not in a resting position, the liver can not be nourish by Ying and will cause heat, drying up the body. (Ying is like invisible water, it can moisture the organs) 

Symptoms: period with very light flow 

• Cold

The characteristic of cold is convergence, condensation, and settlement. When there’s coldness in the body, it’ll settle down in the belly area. The muscles contract because of the coldness, resulting in poor endometrial exfoliation. Also, when there’s cold inside, Qi and blood will flow slowly, which leads to blood stagnation. That’s why elders kept telling ladies not to eat or drink cold food.

Symptoms: cramps, blood clots.

These are the few reasons why some ladies will suffer from cramps, blood clots and light flow. It all comes down to the flow of Qi and Blood, and whether your Kidney, Liver and Spleen are working together. 

I hope this answers your confusion while meeting your TCM doctor. 

And wish you ladies a happy women’s day!