What happened to my delayed menstruation?

Menstrual delay generally refers to menstruation being delayed by more than 7 days, or the menstrual cycle occurring every 3-5 months, which is called 【late menstruation】.

A normal menstrual cycle is 28-35 days. If it is delayed by 3-5 days, or delayed once occasionally, it is still considered within the normal range.

If the menstrual period is delayed and accompanied by symptoms of scanty flow, this condition will gradually develop into amenorrhea.

Within the scope of traditional Chinese medicine, the pathogenesis of delayed menstruation differs between deficiency and excess, generally caused by the following factors:

1. Kidney deficiency: excessive sexual activity and childbirth damage kidney energy; those with kidney deficiency generally experience lower back soreness and weakness in the legs during menstruation.

2. Blood deficiency: prolonged illness with blood loss, deficiency of nutritive blood; those with blood deficiency generally have pale complexion, dizziness, and palpitations.

3. Blood Cold: Excessive consumption of cold foods leads to blood cold and stagnation; those with blood cold generally experience cold pain in the lower abdomen, which lessens with warmth.

4. Qi stagnation: depression and melancholy, obstruction of the Chong and Ren vessels; those with liver qi stagnation generally experience chest and abdominal distension, accompanied by blood clots.

If you find yourself in a state of prolonged menstrual delay or gradually lengthening menstrual cycles, you must seek treatment promptly; otherwise, it can develop into amenorrhea. For women of reproductive age, this condition can also lead to infertility.

【If you want to know more, please consult our Chinese medicine team】