Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)

How Chinese medicine differentiates heavy menstrual bleeding, the four patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. Very heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods, or signs of anemia need a gynecological evaluation before acupuncture is considered.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for menorrhagia — 9 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
SP-6	Strengthens the Spleen, resolves Dampness, nourishes Blood and Yin.
ST-36	Benefits Stomach and Spleen, tonifies Qi and Blood.
Ren-6	Tonifies Qi and Yang, raises sinking Qi.
BL-20	Tonifies Spleen and Stomach, resolves Dampness, nourishes Blood.
SP-10	Cools Blood, invigorates Blood and eliminates stasis.
BL-17	Gathering (Hui) point for Blood — moves Blood.
LR-3	Subdues Liver-Yang, promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, invigorates Blood.
SP-9	Regulates the Spleen, resolves Dampness.
Ren-3	Resolves Dampness from the Lower Burner. Regulates the Uterus.

The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Spleen Not Controlling Blood View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Heavy periods with pale, thin blood; extreme fatigue and shortness of breath; a poor appetite and loose stools; dizziness; a dragging sensation in the lower abdomen.

Tongue: Pale, puffy, teeth marks, thin white coat. Pulse: Fine, weak.

Treatment principle: Tonify the Middle and augment Qi, raising sunken Yang to restore the Spleen's holding function.

SP-6 ↑ ST-36 ↑ Ren-6 ↑ BL-20 ↑

Note: moxa applicable. Direct match with Spleen not controlling Blood — excessive uterine bleeding is a named symptom there.

2. Heat in Uterus Blood

Clinical manifestations: A heavy flow with deep or dark red, thick, sticky blood; early periods; thirst with a preference for cold drinks; a feeling of heat in the lower abdomen; restlessness and irritability.

Tongue: Red, possible prickles, thin yellow dry coat. Pulse: Rapid, often Wiry or Slippery.

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and cool the Blood to stop reckless bleeding and regulate menstrual flow.

SP-6 ↓ SP-10 ↓ BL-17 ↓ LR-3 ↓

Note: no moxa. No deck on this site has a uterus-specific Heat-in-the-Blood category, so no pattern link is given here.

3. Blood Stagnation in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Dark purple or blackish blood with clots; sharp, stabbing cramps improving after clots pass; fixed, pressing lower abdominal pain.

Tongue: Dark purple or dusky, possible stasis spots. Pulse: Choppy, Wiry.

Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood and dispel stasis to restore vessel patency and eliminate the blockage.

SP-6 ↓ SP-10 ↓ BL-17 ↓ LR-3 ↓

Note: no moxa. Matches Liver-Blood stasis — dark, clotted menstrual blood and fixed pain are shared hallmarks.

4. Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: A heavy, sticky, foul-smelling menstrual flow; genital itching or burning; a bitter taste; a feeling of bodily heaviness; dark, scanty urine.

Tongue: Red with a yellow, greasy coating. Pulse: Wiry, Slippery, Rapid.

Treatment principle: Clear Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner and drain Liver-Fire.

SP-6 ↓ LR-3 ↓ SP-9 ↓ Ren-3 ↓

Note: no moxa. Matches Damp-Heat in the Liver — yellow/foul discharge and genital itching are shared.

Related conditions

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