1
Liver qi stagnation
- Key distinguishing signs
- Irritability, bloating, breast pain and pressure headache before the period, sighing, wiry pulse
- Treatment principle
- Soothe liver qi and regulate menstruation
Women's Healthjīng qián bù shì
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Also called:PMSpremenstrual tension
From the TCM perspective: PMS: liver stagnation and blood-qi disharmony
Overview
PMS is a recurring cluster of irritability, bloating, breast tenderness, food cravings and headache that improves when menstruation begins. TCM links it to cyclical liver qi stagnation obstructing channels, possibly transforming to fire or accompanied by blood/yin deficiency or spleen-kidney yang weakness. A severe life-disrupting form may be premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)
2
Blood/yin deficiency
- Key distinguishing signs
- Sadness, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness and hot palms around/after the period, red tongue with little coat
- Treatment principle
- Nourish blood and yin to emolliate the liver
3
Spleen-kidney yang deficiency with water
- Key distinguishing signs
- Bloating, edema, cyclical weight gain, fatigue, sweet cravings and coldness, pale moist tooth-marked tongue
- Treatment principle
- Warm spleen-kidney and move water
4
Stagnation transforming to fire
- Key distinguishing signs
- Intense anger, throbbing headache, bitter mouth, insomnia and acne, red tongue edge
- Treatment principle
- Clear liver fire and relieve constraint
Daily self-care
- Keep regular sleep and aerobic exercise; reduce salt, caffeine, alcohol and refined sugar in the premenstrual week.
- Track symptoms over 2-3 cycles; dietary calcium/magnesium and complex carbohydrates may help.
- Seek assessment when symptoms disable life/work or bring cyclical suicidal thoughts (PMDD).
When to seek medical help
The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:
- Cyclical suicidal/self-harm thoughts or severe loss of control.
- New heavy/irregular uterine bleeding or severe pelvic pain.
- Fever, fainting, or symptoms that do not follow the menstrual pattern at all.
Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.