Heavy Menstrual Flow and Clots: Could It Be a Uterine Condition?

Hello, this is Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. # Heavy Menstrual Flow and Clots: Could It Be a Uterine Condition? Many women experience unusually heavy periods, requiring frequent pad changes or noticing large blood clots every month. Along with worries like "Is something wrong with my body?", the physical discomfort makes every monthly period dread-inducing. While heavy menstrual flow and blood clots are common, they can sometimes be an important warning sign of underlying uterine health issues. 💡 **Core Answer** Top 3 most common causes of **heavy menstrual flow and blood clots**: ① Uterine fibroids / ② Adenomyosis / ③ Blood stasis (瘀血) due to hormonal imbalance Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic approaches this through **constitutional improvement** to resolve the root causes and create a self-healing environment for the uterine health. ## Should I suspect uterine health issues if my menstrual flow suddenly increases and clots appear? Excessively heavy periods or accompanying blood clots are medically termed 'Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB)'. This refers to losing more than 80mL of blood per cycle or menstruating for over 7 days, which may signal structural uterine conditions rather than simple constitutional traits. Blood clots mixed in menstrual flow are often considered evidence of stagnation of Qi or blood circulation, known as 'stagnant blood (어혈)'. If left unaddressed, such stagnant blood can induce uterine and ovarian disorders, often accompanied by menstrual cramps due to uterine muscle stiffness. Particularly if fist-sized clots, severe cramps, anemia, fatigue, or dizziness accompany the flow, it is crucial to test for conditions like uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, or endometrial polyps. Leaving them untreated can lead to serious health issues such as chronic anemia or cardiovascular strain. ## What are the primary causes of heavy menstrual flow and blood clots? While causes vary, they can be categorized into three main areas. First, **uterine fibroids and adenomyosis**. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors in the uterine muscular layer, and fibroids near the endometrium can cause particularly heavy bleeding. Adenomyosis occurs when endometrial tissue invades the muscular layer, causing the entire uterus to enlarge and thicken, resulting in severe heavy bleeding and cramps. Even subserosal or submucosal fibroids as small as 2cm can cause enough bleeding to trigger anemia. Second, **hormonal imbalance**. Disruptions in the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis or excessive estrogen secretion can cause abnormal endometrial proliferation, increasing menstrual volume and forming clots. Functional bleeding from hormonal imbalance is especially common during the perimenopausal transition. Third, **blood stasis (어혈)** in traditional Korean medicine. Stagnant blood represents pooled, clotted blood within the uterus and is a core cause of circulatory blockage. When the endometrium fails to shed properly during menstruation, blood coagulates and discharges in clot form. Habitually cold lower abdomen, poor circulation, or emotional stress stagnant Qi and blood flow can easily induce stasis, associating with uterine fibroid and adenomyosis development. ## How does Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic in Songdo treat heavy menstrual bleeding and clots? Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo branch identifies root causes of heavy menstrual flow and clots to provide personalized **constitutional improvement** treatments. This approach does not merely suppress symptoms but helps the uterus and entire body restore natural healthy functions. Korean medicine treatment removes blood stasis, promotes uterine blood circulation, restores hormonal balance, and strengthens the uterus's self-regulation ability. Even when structural lesions like fibroids or adenomyosis accompany the condition, oriental medicine treatments offer effective alternatives. **Actual Research Case in Korean Medicine:** A 2018 study published in *Integrative Medicine Research* reported a 47-year-old female patient with concurrent uterine fibroids and thyroid cancer treated with traditional Korean medicine (herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture) for 3 months. Her severe menstrual pain (VAS 8) decreased to VAS 5, and frequent urination (over 10 times daily) improved to 6-7 times. Notably, her uterine fibroid, previously over 8cm, **shrunk by approximately 2cm** following the treatment. The researchers concluded that Korean medicine treatments can effectively inhibit fibroid growth and alleviate related symptoms as an alternative to surgery or hormone therapy. Based on these data, Dalimchae Korean Medicine focuses on resolving the root causes of heavy menstrual bleeding and clots through blood stasis removal and uterine function enhancement. ## Check Your Uterine Health: Is Your Heavy Flow a Warning Sign? If you check 3 or more items below, your heavy menstrual bleeding and clot symptoms may be a warning sign of uterine health issues. We recommend consulting Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo branch for accurate diagnosis and customized care. **Heavy Menstrual Bleeding & Clot Self-Diagnosis Checklist** * Menstrual flow suddenly increases, requiring pad changes every 1 to 2 hours. * Waking up frequently at night due to soaked pads. * Menstrual period lasting longer than 7 days. * Frequent passage of palm-sized or fist-sized blood clots. * Experiencing extreme fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath during periods. * Menstrual cramps becoming progressively worse or uncontrolled by painkillers. * Menstrual blood appearing darker or muddier than usual. * Intermenstrual bleeding or lower abdominal discomfort. **Criteria:** * **3 or More Checked:** Suspected heavy menstrual bleeding and uterine health issues -> Recommend visiting Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo branch for consultation. * **5 or More Checked:** Immediate detailed examination and treatment needed -> Consult Dalimchae Songdo branch and consider professional Korean medicine combination therapy. --- **Q. Does heavy menstrual bleeding cause anemia?** A. Yes, persistent heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) means more blood is lost than produced, easily leading to iron deficiency anemia. Anemia causes severe fatigue, dizziness, pale complexion, and shortness of breath, significantly disrupting daily life. **Q. Are blood clots always due to uterine disease?** A. Small blood clots can be a normal menstrual phenomenon, but large or persistent clots can signal uterine conditions like fibroids, adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, or polyps, often linked to pelvic blood flow issues or hormonal imbalance. **Q. Can I receive oriental medicine treatment for heavy periods in Songdo?** A. Yes, Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic in Songdo provides customized oriental medicine diagnoses and treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding and clots, utilizing herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, and pharmacopuncture tailored to individual constitutions. **Q. Are there natural ways to regulate heavy menstrual flow?** A. Regular lifestyle habits, adequate rest, balanced nutrition, and stress management help improve menstrual patterns. Keeping the lower abdomen warm and exercising to promote circulation are also beneficial. However, if symptoms are severe or persistent, medical evaluation is essential. Heavy menstrual flow and clots are not problems to simply endure. You no longer need to ignore the body's long-standing signals. With the right approach, your body responds faster than you think. Bring your current symptoms as they are. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic will find the cause together with you. Where life blossoms. Herbal medicine is Dalimchae. Check out similar symptoms on Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic's website AI consultation first! This article is health information compiled collectively by Dalimchae medical staff based on frequent inquiries in the clinic room. Medical Supervision | Women & Pregnancy Care Standards, Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo Branch, Oriental Medical Doctor Oh Hyunmin (Uterine Fibroid Column)