Understanding Hormonal Imbalance in TCM and Their Impact
Do your hormones ever feel like they’re running the show—leaving you tired, moody, or completely out of sync? Maybe your cycle comes late (or skips altogether), your energy dips hard before your period, or you’ve been trying to conceive and wondering what’s going on beneath the surface.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these symptoms aren’t random. They’re clues—pointing to deeper patterns of imbalance that shape how your hormones behave. Instead of just zeroing in on estrogen or progesterone, TCM looks at the whole picture: your energy, your digestion, your stress, your sleep.
Here’s something important to know: most women have a mix of more than one pattern—so don’t be surprised if more than one of these sounds like you. To get a precise diagnosis (and the most effective treatment plan), you’ll want to meet with a trained practitioner.
That said, understanding these common patterns is a powerful first step. After years of working with women in our clinic, we’ve noticed five that come up over and over again. Let’s break them down so you can start to see where you might fit.
Curious already? You can skip ahead and take our quick quiz to find your pattern >>
1. Blood Deficiency with Cold and Dryness
This one often hides in plain sight. If your periods are light or irregular, your skin feels dry, and you always reach for a sweater (even when everyone else is fine), listen up—your body might be waving the “Blood Deficiency with Cold and Dryness” flag.
In TCM, Blood is your body’s nourishment system—it feeds your tissues, supports smooth cycles, and gives you that healthy glow. When Blood is lacking, things start to feel a little… sparse. Add Cold and Dryness to the mix, and you get a body that’s under-fueled and under-heated. Hormones? They struggle to thrive in that environment.
What it Feels Like:
- Periods that are light, late, or barely there
- Cold hands and feet (you’re always the chilly one)
- Dry skin, dry lips, even dry hair
- Low energy, especially after your cycle
- Sleep that just doesn’t refresh you
- Fatigue, dizziness, palpitations
- Difficulty conceiving or postpartum depletion
How Does This Happen?
- Stress and overwork (hello, modern life)
- Diets that skimp on nutrient-rich foods—or lean too hard on raw salads and smoothies
- Blood loss after childbirth or heavy periods without replenishment
Why It Messes with Your Hormones:
Without enough Blood to nourish your reproductive system, ovulation can get irregular, egg quality may dip, and your cycle might feel unpredictable. This pattern shows up all the time in women struggling with fertility or feeling constantly wiped out.
👉 Does this sound like you? Take the quiz and see your pattern >>
2. Kidney Yang Deficiency
Picture a tiny internal pilot light that keeps your body warm and energized. When that light gets weak, everything slows down—including your hormones. That’s Kidney Yang Deficiency.
What it Feels Like:
- Always cold, especially in your feet and lower back
- Luteal phase issues (think low progesterone)
- Low libido or difficulty getting pregnant
- Fatigue that feels like dragging a weighted blanket around all day
- Possible puffiness or mild swelling
- Weak digestion and frequent urination
How Does This Happen?
- Long-term stress or burnout
- Too much cold/raw food or iced drinks
- Overwork without enough rest (are we sensing a theme yet?)
Why It Messes with Your Hormones:
Your Kidney Yang is your body’s source of warmth and metabolic spark. When it runs low, things like ovulation and progesterone production can get sluggish, making it harder to conceive or maintain steady cycles.
👉 Could your Yang be running low? Take the quiz and find out >>
3. Liver Qi Stagnation
If PMS has you cursing your calendar—or if stress always seems to hit your hormones first—Liver Qi Stagnation might be your pattern. In TCM, your Liver keeps things moving. When stress or emotional tension blocks that flow, your hormones pay the price.
What it Feels Like:
- PMS with mood swings, irritability, or breast tenderness
- Periods that are painful or irregular
- A sense of frustration or being “stuck”
- Bloating or digestive discomfort that comes and goes
- Headaches, tension in the jaw, shoulders and neck
How Does This Happen?
- Chronic stress and emotional suppression
- Lack of movement or sitting all day
- Overcommitment (your to-do list has a to-do list)
Why It Messes with Your Hormones:
When Liver Qi gets stuck, estrogen metabolism can get messy. You might see estrogen-dominant symptoms like heavy or painful periods, fibroids, or mood changes.
👉 Is stress sabotaging your hormones? Take the quiz and find out >>
4. Kidney Yin Deficiency with Heat
This one is all about depletion with a side of heat. Think night sweats, restless sleep, and feeling like you’re always running hot—even when you’re exhausted.
What it Feels Like:
- Night sweats or hot flashes (especially at night)
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Dry mouth, thirst, or feeling parched inside
- Anxiety or feeling “revved up” even when tired
- Irregular cycles or shortened menstrual cycles
- Feeling overheated, especially in the afternoon or evening
How Does This Happen?
- Long-term stress that burns through reserves
- Overwork without rest (hello, hustle culture)
- Aging—especially as we approach perimenopause
Why It Messes with Your Hormones:
Your Yin is the cooling, nourishing force that balances Yang heat. When Yin runs low, heat rises—and your hormones can feel like they’re on a rollercoaster.
👉 Do you feel hot, wired, and worn out? Take the quiz and see your pattern >>
5. Spleen Damp Accumulation
If bloating, brain fog, and feeling heavy are your constant companions, this is your category. In TCM, your Spleen is all about digestion and transformation. When it’s weak, Dampness builds—and throws your hormones off track.
What it Feels Like:
- Bloating or sluggish digestion
- Water retention, edema or a feeling of heaviness in the body
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Weight gain (especially around the middle)
- Fatigue after meals
- Cravings for sugar or carbs
How Does This Happen?
- Too much sugar, dairy, or alcohol
- Weak digestion or skipping meals
- Lack of movement
Why It Messes with Your Hormones:
This pattern often shows up in PCOS or insulin resistance. Dampness slows things down and creates blockages—messing with ovulation and hormone signaling.
👉 Struggling with bloat and cravings? Take the quiz and see your pattern >>
So, Which Pattern is Running the Show?
Here’s the truth: most women aren’t just one pattern—they’re a blend. You might see yourself in two or even three of these categories, and that’s completely normal. TCM doesn’t put people into rigid boxes; it looks at the full picture of you.
If you’re ready for a real solution, meeting with a trained practitioner is the only way to get a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan. Click here to book an appointment today.
And, if you want to start understanding what’s behind your symptoms right away, our free Decode Your Hormone Imbalance Through The Lens of TCM quiz is the perfect first step.
👉 Take our free assessment now and discover your TCM hormonal type
