How to Remove Menstrual Clots
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Wokingham
Passing clots during a period is one of the most common menstrual complaints I see in clinical practice. For many women it has been going on for years, accepted as normal when in fact it is a clear signal that something within the body needs attention. From a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective, menstrual clots are a reliable indicator of blood stasis — a core pattern that affects menstrual health, fertility, and general wellbeing.
What Are Menstrual Clots?
Menstrual clots are dark red or purple jelly-like pieces of coagulated blood and tissue that are passed during menstruation. Small clots (smaller than a 10p coin) are considered within the range of normal variation. Larger, more frequent clots — particularly when accompanied by pain, a heavy flow, or dark blood — point to an underlying pattern of stagnation that benefits from treatment.
What Causes Blood Clots in a Period?
From a biomedical perspective, clots form when menstrual blood pools in the uterus and the body's natural anticoagulants become overwhelmed during heavier flow. Conditions commonly associated with clotting include endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, hormonal imbalance and hypothyroidism. It is always worth ruling these out with your GP if clots are persistent or heavy.
In TCM, menstrual clots are understood as blood stasis — a disruption in the smooth movement of blood through the uterus and reproductive organs. The most common causes include:
- Liver qi stagnation — emotional stress, frustration or long-term tension impairs the liver's role in ensuring the smooth flow of qi and blood
- Cold in the uterus — exposure to cold, excessive consumption of cold foods, or constitutional cold leads to congealing of blood
- Qi deficiency — insufficient energy to move the blood through the uterus effectively
- Kidney deficiency — most commonly seen alongside other reproductive symptoms such as irregular cycles, low AMH or difficulty conceiving
Associated Symptoms
The pattern of stasis rarely exists in isolation. Women with menstrual clots often also report: dark or purplish menstrual blood, cramping that improves when a clot is passed, breast tenderness before the period, a dull ache in the lower abdomen, and a tendency towards irritability or low mood in the premenstrual phase. These accompanying symptoms help me to identify the exact TCM pattern and tailor treatment accordingly.
How Acupuncture Can Help
Acupuncture is particularly effective at moving blood stasis in the uterus and regulating the menstrual cycle. I use a combination of local and distal points to improve blood flow to the uterus, regulate the liver and support kidney function. Treatment is typically timed across the menstrual cycle — different points are selected in the follicular phase, around ovulation, and in the luteal phase to progressively address the underlying pattern. Most women notice a meaningful improvement in their menstrual flow and a reduction in clotting within two to three cycles of weekly treatment.
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Menstrual Clots
Chinese herbal medicine can be highly effective for blood stasis patterns. The most commonly used classical formulas include Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, which gently moves blood, reduces stasis and is particularly suited to women with fibroids or a tendency towards coldness, and Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a stronger blood-moving formula for pronounced stasis with significant cramping. I prescribe pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan and tailor each formula to the individual, adjusting the prescription at follow-up as the pattern changes.
It is important to note that strong blood-moving herbs should not be taken during pregnancy. If you are trying to conceive, herbal treatment is generally given in the follicular phase only and stopped after ovulation.
Dietary and Lifestyle Advice
In addition to acupuncture and herbs, I advise patients to keep the lower abdomen warm — cold exposure (including cold drinks, sitting on cold surfaces, and wearing insufficient clothing in winter) can aggravate uterine cold patterns. Foods that support blood circulation include black sesame, beetroot, dark leafy greens, and warming spices such as ginger and cinnamon. Reducing alcohol and processed sugar also supports liver function and reduces the tendency towards stagnation.
When to See Your GP
If you are passing very large clots, soaking more than one pad per hour, or your periods are significantly more painful than they used to be, it is important to see your GP to rule out conditions such as fibroids, adenomyosis or a thyroid disorder. TCM treatment works well alongside conventional investigation and can be continued while any underlying diagnosis is being explored.
If you would like to discuss your menstrual health with me, you are welcome to get in touch or book a consultation at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
