TCM Vocabulary: Menstruation-Related Nosebleed and Gynecology Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts discussed in the lecture notes on nosebleeds, menstruation, and related TCM principles.

Nosebleed during menstruation (epistaxis during menses)

Nosebleed occurring during the menstrual period; evaluate for patterns such as blood heat and external factors from a Chinese medicine perspective.

Blood heat (heat in the blood)

A heat pattern in the blood that can push blood to bleed; treatment focuses on clearing heat from the blood and stabilizing vessels.

Floating pulse

A superficial pulse felt at the surface, often indicating heat or external pathogen; best felt in the floating (superficial) position.

Go Thai

Menstruation occurring during pregnancy; a term describing pregnancy-related bleeding and the possibility of threatened abortion.

Low pi (fat fat leakage)

Threatened abortion; vaginal bleeding/leakage during pregnancy; used in TCM to describe abortion risk.

Maturation (period timing)

Irregular menstrual cycle timing; period comes earlier or later than expected.

Yang deficiency

A TCM pattern of insufficient Yang energy contributing to various gynecological issues.

Yin deficiency

A TCM pattern of insufficient Yin energy with potential menstrual abnormalities and bleeding.

Heat transformation vs cold transformation

Two broad TCM pathologies describing how heat or cold affects blood during menses; guides treatment approach.

Blood stasis

Stagnation or obstruction of blood; may present as dark or bright clots; underlying cause guides therapy.

Color of menstrual blood

Normal blood is bright red; purple/black indicates heat; yellowish or pale red suggests dampness or deficiency; color plus pulse aids diagnosis.

Clots in menstruation

Blood clots during menses; color and amount help distinguish heat vs cold and depletion vs stasis; requires clinical context.

Diagnosis vs. symptoms

In treatment planning, prescribe based on the diagnosis, not solely on presenting symptoms.

Herbal cooking methods

Decoction timing matters: long boil vs short boil affects herb temperature, potency, and medicinal efficacy.

Granules

Pre-made herbal granules; usually cooked before consumption; mixing granules may lack some interactions of whole herbs.

Herb temperature

Each herb has a traditional temperature (cool, cold, warm) that informs formula selection and cooking duration.

Herb taste

Herbs have tastes (bitter, sour, sweet, etc.) associated with therapeutic function and required cooking times.

External pathogenic factors in nosebleeds

Nosebleeds can be caused by external pathogens (e.g., wind-heat, damp-heat); diagnosis should consider these factors.

Color and heat vs cold clues

Color of menstrual blood combined with pulse and other signs helps distinguish heat from cold in diagnosis.

Irregular cycle—deviation vs delay terminology

TCM terms for periods that come earlier (deviation) or later (delay) from the expected time, indicating different patterns.