Menopausal Syndrome in Women and the “Geng-Nian-Kang Decoction”

by | Oct 19, 2025 | Chinese Medicine

When women reach the ages of 45 to 52, natural cessation of menstruation occurs, which in medicine is called “menopause.”

The onset of menopause leads to physiological changes. Some women, due to constitutional weakness or psychological influences, may not be able to adapt promptly. This imbalance of endocrine function may result in obvious dysfunction of internal organs, known medically as “menopausal syndrome.”

In the early stages, symptoms may include insomnia, dizziness, headache, fatigue, tachycardia or bradycardia, loss of appetite, reduced work capacity, lumbago or joint pain, obesity, excessive sweating, and various vague complaints. As the condition progresses, women may develop prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, suspicion, or hysteria.

These symptoms may involve the neuropsychiatric system, sensory disturbances, vasomotor symptoms, musculoskeletal complaints, digestive system issues, or urinary system problems. All of these arise from endocrine imbalance and hence are categorized as “menopausal syndrome.” Naturally, symptoms vary among individuals due to differences in physical and psychological conditions. Therefore, treatment must be individualized according to syndrome differentiation. Importantly, despite these neurasthenic-like manifestations, there is no substantial organic pathology in the internal organs.

Although Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) does not have a specific name for this condition, it has long recognized the physiological and pathological states of women during menopause. It is attributed to declining Kidney-Chi, exhaustion of Tian-Gui (reproductive essence), and disharmony of the Chong and Ren meridians. Based on syndrome differentiation, many treatment principles have been established, summarized as “nourishing the heart, replenishing yin, calming the spirit, and subduing hyperactivity.”

Following these principles, the author has formulated the prescription “Geng-Nian-Kang Decoction” for treatment:

  • Radix Scrophulariae (Xuan Shen) – 10 g
  • Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Dan Shen) – 10 g
  • Radix Codonopsis (Dang Shen) – 10 g
  • Radix Ophiopogonis (Mai Dong) – 5 g
  • Radix Asparagi (Tian Dong) – 5 g
  • Rehmanniae Radix, raw and prepared (Sheng Di, Shu Di) – 20 g each
  • Semen Platycladi (Bai Zi Ren) – 10 g
  • Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (Suan Zao Ren) – 10 g
  • Radix Polygalae (Yuan Zhi) – 5 g
  • Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui) – 3 g
  • Poria (Fu Ling) – 10 g
  • Fructus Tritici Levis (Fu Xiao Mai) – 10 g
  • Radix Paeoniae Alba (Bai Shao) – 10 g
  • Radix Corydalis (Yan Hu Suo) – 6 g
  • Os Draconis (Long Gu) – 15 g
  • Concha Ostreae (Mu Li) – 15 g
  • Fructus Schisandrae (Wu Wei Zi) – 5 g
  • Radix Platycodi (Jie Geng) – 5 g

The herbs are decocted in water for oral administration. A course consists of 16 doses.

This formula has shown favourable therapeutic effects in menopausal women presenting with emotional depression, irritability, palpitations, insomnia, low-grade fever, decreased body fluids, suspicion, excessive worrying, musculoskeletal aches resembling “flu-like” symptoms, dizziness, and headaches.