Menopause Symptoms - Heart-Kidney Disharmony Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for menopause symptoms
Menopause Symptoms · Heart-Kidney Disharmony Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Whole Body
Pattern Overview
Heart-Kidney Disharmony is a common pattern in menopause symptoms,
characterized by **5-HT/NE neurotransmitter imbalance, insomnia,
palpitations, anxiety, poor memory, and restlessness**. The core
pathogenesis is Kidney-Yin deficiency failing to nourish Heart,
leading to autonomic dysfunction, neurotransmitter imbalance, and
emotional symptoms.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms | Insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, poor memory |
|---|
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
night sweats |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
rapid pulse |
| Pathogenesis | Kidney-Yin deficiency failing to nourish Heart |
|---|
| Etiology |
|---|
illness |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| Xinshu (BL15) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T5 |
|---|
of Heart meridian; nourishes Heart-Blood |
| Shenshu (BL23) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 |
|---|
point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney-Yin |
| Shenmen (HT7) | On the wrist crease, ulnar side |
|---|
Heart meridian; calms the spirit |
| Taixi (KI3) |
|---|
tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney-Yin |
| Neiguan (PC6) |
|---|
| Relieves chest tightness and calms the spirit |
Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; may
combine with auricular acupuncture to calm the spirit.
Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (天王补心丹) + Jiao Tai Wan
(交泰丸)
Composition:
Rehmannia (Sheng Di), Scrophularia (Xuan Shen), Ophiopogon (Mai Dong),
Angelica (Dang Gui), Sour Jujube Seed (Suan Zao Ren), Polygala (Yuan
Zhi), Coptis (Huang Lian), Cinnamon (Rou Gui)
Action: Nourishes Heart and Kidney, calms the spirit, and harmonizes
Yin and Yang.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|
| Severe insomnia | Add Suan Zao Ren, Bai Zi Ren to calm the spirit |
|---|
| Palpitations | Add Long Gu, Mu Li to anchor the spirit |
|---|
| Anxiety | Add Yu Jin, He Huan Pi to relieve depression |
|---|
| Hot flashes | Add Zhi Mu, Huang Bai to clear deficiency heat |
|---|
Western Mechanism Reference
5-HT/NE neurotransmitter imbalance causing mood swings and insomnia,
autonomic dysfunction, and HPA axis dysregulation. Heart-Kidney
Disharmony corresponds to menopause with prominent psychological
symptoms, where neurotransmitter imbalance and HPA axis dysregulation
contribute to insomnia, anxiety, and mood swings.
References
1. Gynecology of TCM - Menopausal Syndrome with Heart-Kidney Disharmony.
2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Heart-Blood 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 women's health.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM gynecology.
Related TCM Patterns for Menopause Symptoms
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.