When Your Period Won't Stop
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Wokingham
A period that goes on for longer than seven days, or that recurs more frequently than every 21 days, is considered prolonged or abnormal. Persistent or heavy menstrual bleeding is one of the most distressing gynaecological symptoms and one I see regularly in my clinic. It drains energy, disrupts daily life, and — when prolonged — can lead to iron deficiency anaemia. Getting to the underlying cause is the priority, and there is much that traditional Chinese medicine can do to help.
Medical Causes to Rule Out
Before attributing prolonged bleeding solely to hormonal imbalance, it is important to ensure structural or pathological causes have been excluded. These include:
- Fibroids — uterine fibroids are the most common cause of heavy, prolonged periods in women of reproductive age
- Adenomyosis — endometrial tissue within the uterine muscle, causing heavy bleeding and cramping
- Endometrial polyps — small, benign growths on the uterine lining that cause irregular or prolonged bleeding
- Hormonal imbalance — anovulatory cycles (cycles without ovulation) produce prolonged, irregular bleeding due to the absence of the progesterone-dominant second half of the cycle
- Thyroid dysfunction — particularly hypothyroidism, which is strongly associated with heavy periods
- Coagulation disorders — conditions such as von Willebrand disease can cause persistent heavy bleeding
If you are experiencing prolonged or significantly heavy periods, an ultrasound scan and blood tests are a sensible first step. TCM treatment works well alongside any conventional investigation and does not need to wait for a diagnosis.
TCM Patterns Behind Prolonged Bleeding
Chinese medicine identifies several distinct patterns that can manifest as prolonged or persistent menstrual bleeding:
- Qi deficiency — insufficient qi (energy) means the body is unable to hold the blood in the vessels properly. The blood is typically pale and watery, and the woman is tired, breathless, and pale. Spleen qi deficiency is the most common subtype.
- Blood heat — excess heat in the blood causes it to move recklessly outside of the vessels. The blood is bright red or deep red, often with a heavier flow and accompanying thirst or irritability. This pattern is common in women who are constitutionally warm or who have experienced long-term emotional stress.
- Kidney deficiency — the kidneys govern the thoroughfare and conception vessels, which regulate menstrual flow. Kidney deficiency — particularly kidney yin deficiency — can lead to empty heat disturbing the blood, causing prolonged scanty bleeding or spotting.
- Blood stasis — stagnant blood in the uterus can paradoxically cause both clotting and prolonged bleeding as the uterus struggles to complete its shedding phase.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
The treatment approach depends entirely on which pattern is present. For qi deficiency, I focus on tonifying the spleen and lifting qi to consolidate the blood. Key herbs in this context include Huang Qi (astragalus), Bai Zhu (atractylodes), and Sheng Ma (cimicifuga). For blood heat, cooling herbs that clear heat and stop bleeding — such as Di Gu Pi or Mu Dan Pi — are indicated. Classical formulas such as Gui Pi Tang (for spleen qi and heart blood deficiency), Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (for middle qi sinking), and modified Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (for kidney yin deficiency with empty heat) each address a specific pattern.
Acupuncture can help to regulate uterine blood flow, balance the hormonal axis, and address both the root deficiency and the branch symptom in the same session.
If your period will not stop or has been significantly heavier than normal, please ensure you have been seen by your GP — and then contact me or book a consultation to discuss TCM treatment in Wokingham.
