Menopause Symptoms - Kidney-Yin Deficiency Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for menopause symptoms
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 |
|---|
dryness |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
irritability, dizziness, tinnitus |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
rapid pulse |
| Pathogenesis | Kidney-Yin deficiency with rising deficiency heat |
|---|
| Etiology |
|---|
deficiency |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| Shenshu (BL23) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 |
|---|
point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney-Yin |
| Taixi (KI3) |
|---|
tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney-Yin |
| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus |
|---|
Blood and Yin; regulates the Spleen and Kidney |
| Zhaohai (KI6) | 1 cun below the medial malleolus |
|---|
and clears deficiency heat |
| Guanyuan (RN4) | 3 cun below the umbilicus |
|---|
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.
- 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.