Menopause Symptoms - Kidney-Yin Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Menopause Symptoms · Kidney-Yin Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Kidney-Yin Deficiency is the most common pattern in menopause symptoms, characterized by estrogen decline, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and irritability. The core pathogenesis is Kidney-Yin deficiency with rising deficiency heat, leading to hypothalamic thermoregulatory instability and vasomotor dysfunction.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness |

| Associated Symptoms | Heat in palms and soles, dry mouth, irritability, dizziness, tinnitus |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with little coating, thready and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Kidney-Yin deficiency with rising deficiency heat |

| Etiology | Aging, declining ovarian function, constitutional Yin deficiency |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Shenshu (BL23) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 | Back-Shu point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney-Yin |

| Taixi (KI3) | Depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney-Yin |

| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus | Nourishes Blood and Yin; regulates the Spleen and Kidney |

| Zhaohai (KI6) | 1 cun below the medial malleolus | Nourishes Yin and clears deficiency heat |

| Guanyuan (RN4) | 3 cun below the umbilicus | Tonifies Yuan Qi and nourishes Yin |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; may combine with moxibustion on Shenshu to warm and tonify.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Zuo Gui Wan (左归丸) or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (六味地黄丸)

Composition:

Rehmannia (Shu Di), Dioscorea (Shan Yao), Cornus (Shan Zhu Yu), Poria (Fu Ling), Moutan (Mu Dan Pi), Alisma (Ze Xie), Goji Berry (Gou Qi), Cuscuta (Tu Si Zi)

Action: Nourishes Kidney-Yin, clears deficiency heat, and calms the spirit.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe hot flashes | Add Zhi Mu, Huang Bai to clear deficiency heat |

| Night sweats | Add Mu Li, Fu Xiao Mai to stabilize the exterior |

| Insomnia | Add Suan Zao Ren, Yuan Zhi to calm the spirit |

| Vaginal dryness | Add Dang Gui, Bai Shao to nourish Blood and Yin |

Western Mechanism Reference

Estrogen decline causing hypothalamic thermoregulatory instability, decreased E2, elevated FSH/LH, and vasomotor dysfunction. Kidney-Yin Deficiency corresponds to menopause with vasomotor symptoms, where reduced estrogen levels and hypothalamic thermoregulatory instability contribute to hot flashes and night sweats.

References

  1. Gynecology of TCM - Menopausal Syndrome with Kidney-Yin Deficiency.

  2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Kidney-Yin Deficiency → Cross-layer Yin Nourishment.

  3. WHO. (2023). Women’s health. World Health Organization.

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for women’s health.

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