What Causes Prolonged Menstruation?
Jun 02, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Zhe
Introduction
Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis: If a woman frequently experiences low mood, it may lead to prolonged qi stagnation and subsequent blood stasis. Alternatively, exposure to cold pathogens during menstruation or the postpartum period can impede the circulation of qi and blood, resulting in blood stasis. As stagnant blood obstructs venous return from the tissues, fresh blood cannot adequately replenish the meridians, thereby prolonging menstrual bleeding duration.
Yin Deficiency with Internal Heat: This pattern commonly occurs in women with an inherent yin-deficient constitution, or those who have suffered prolonged illness depleting yin fluids, multiple childbirths, or excessive sexual activity.
With societal development, modern lifestyles have become increasingly fast-paced and stressful, leading some women to experience prolonged menstrual periods. What are the underlying causes of prolonged menstruation?
Causes of Prolonged Menstruation
Emotional factors contribute significantly to prolonged menstruation. Persistent low mood or emotional depression in women may lead to stagnation of Qi and blood stasis over time. Additionally, exposure to cold pathogens during menstruation or the postpartum period can impede the normal circulation of Qi and blood, resulting in blood stasis. When blood stasis obstructs the venous return of uterine tissue, newly generated blood cannot properly re-enter the meridians, thereby prolonging menstrual bleeding.
Yin deficiency with internal heat is another common cause. Women with an inherently Yin-deficient constitution—or those who have experienced prolonged illness depleting Yin fluids, multiple childbirths, or excessive sexual activity—may suffer from depletion of Yin and blood. This Yin deficiency generates internal heat, disturbing the stability of the “Sea of Blood” (a TCM term referring to the uterus as the reservoir of blood), impairing normal blood flow regulation, and ultimately causing prolonged menses. Therefore, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) classifies the etiology of prolonged menstruation into “deficiency” and “excess” patterns, necessitating careful differentiation before implementing appropriate menstrual regulation therapies.
Menstrual irregularities often stem from dysfunction of the zang-fu organs, imbalance or insufficiency of Qi and blood. Consequently, women with menstrual disorders frequently exhibit changes in lip color or skin complexion. Clinical observation reveals the following typical complexion changes associated with menstrual irregularities:
• A bluish tinge to the facial complexion, with faintly visible bluish veins between the cheeks and nose, along with darker lips and pronounced periorbital dark circles—commonly seen in women prone to depression or irritability.
• Dull, sallow, or purplish-tinged skin and cyanotic lips—often indicative of blood stasis within the body.
• Sallow or pale, swollen facial complexion with pale lips—frequently observed in women with Spleen Qi deficiency.
• Oily facial skin with frequent acne breakouts—typically associated with Damp-Heat accumulation in the body.
• A pale, almost porcelain-like complexion with rosy cheeks and naturally ruddy lips.
We hope this explanation proves helpful to you.
