Dysmenorrhea - Liver-Kidney Deficiency Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for dysmenorrhea with
Dysmenorrhea · Liver-Kidney Deficiency Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Pelvis
Pattern Overview
Liver-Kidney Deficiency is a chronic deficiency pattern in dysmenorrhea,
characterized by **ovarian dysfunction, dull menstrual pain, back pain,
dizziness, and fatigue. The core pathogenesis is Liver and Kidney
deficiency failing to nourish the uterus and meridians**, leading to
ovarian dysfunction, poor endometrial development, and menstrual pain.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms |
|---|
fatigue |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
late menstruation |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
and weak pulse |
| Pathogenesis |
|---|
uterus |
| Etiology |
|---|
weakness, frequent childbirth |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| Ganshu (BL18) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T9 |
|---|
of Liver meridian; nourishes Liver Blood |
| Shenshu (BL23) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 |
|---|
point of Kidney meridian; tonifies Kidney Qi |
| Taixi (KI3) |
|---|
tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney Yin |
| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus |
|---|
for gynecological conditions; nourishes Blood |
| Guanyuan (RN4) | 3 cun below the umbilicus |
|---|
nourishes the uterus |
Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method;
moxibustion may be applied to Shenshu and Guanyuan to warm and tonify.
Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Diao Gan Tang (调肝汤) or Yi Guan Jian (一贯煎)
Composition (Diao Gan Tang):
Dioscorea (Shan Yao), Donkey-Hide Gelatin (E Jiao), Angelica (Dang Gui),
White Peony (Bai Shao), Cornus (Shan Zhu Yu), Morinda (Ba Ji Tian),
Licorice (Gan Cao)
Action: Tonifies Liver and Kidney, nourishes Blood, and regulates
menstruation.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|
| Back pain | Add Du Zhong, Xu Duan to strengthen the lower back |
|---|
| Dizziness |
|---|
eyes |
| Poor sleep | Add Suan Zao Ren, Yuan Zhi to calm the spirit |
|---|
| Scanty menstrual flow | Add Dang Gui, Shu Di to nourish Blood |
|---|
Western Mechanism Reference
Ovarian dysfunction with low estrogen levels causing poor endometrial
development, HPA axis dysfunction, and menstrual irregularities.
Liver-Kidney Deficiency corresponds to dysmenorrhea with ovarian
dysfunction, where reduced estrogen levels and HPA axis dysfunction
contribute to poor endometrial development and menstrual pain.
References
1. Gynecology of TCM - Dysmenorrhea with Liver-Kidney Deficiency.
2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Liver-Yin Deficiency + Kidney-Yin
Deficiency.
3. WHO. (2023). Women's health. World Health Organization.
Explore More
- Find your solution at MendGod.com –
Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for menstrual
health.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM women's health.
Related TCM Patterns for Dysmenorrhea
Last reviewed: June 2026 | Lead author: Dr. Li Wei, DACM | Content updated: Monthly
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment.