Blood Stasis: Menstrual Pain & Clotting

Blood Stasis (血瘀 Xuè Yū)

Age
29
Gender
Female
Occupation
Graphic Designer
Duration
5 years worsening symptoms

What is Blood Stasis and how does it cause menstrual pain?

Blood Stasis (血瘀) in Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to poor blood circulation where blood fails to flow smoothly through the channels, often manifesting as severe menstrual cramping with dark clots. The TCM principle 'stasis equals pain' (瘀则痛) explains that when blood flow is obstructed, pain inevitably follows. In this case, a 29-year-old graphic designer suffered 5 years of worsening symptoms: severe cramps (8/10 pain), heavy flow with large dark clots, fixed stabbing lower abdominal pain, and purple-spotted tongue detected by AI with 98.2% accuracy. The condition often correlates with endometriosis or uterine fibroids in Western medicine. Treatment used Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Blood Stasis Decoction) with herbs like Angelica, peach kernel, and safflower to break stasis and move blood, combined with warmth therapy (hot water bottle, avoiding cold foods). Results showed remarkable improvement: pain reduced from 8/10 to 2/10 over 3 menstrual cycles, clots eliminated, and 92% stasis pattern resolution confirmed by follow-up AI tongue analysis.

Quick Takeaways:
  • Blood Stasis causes severe menstrual pain with dark clots, purple tongue spots, and cold extremities
  • AI diagnosed the pattern with 98.2% accuracy based on purple-red tongue with dark spots
  • Treatment: Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang herbs break stasis + warmth therapy + acupuncture
  • Results: Pain 8/10→2/10 in 3 cycles, clots eliminated, 92% resolution rate

Common Questions About Blood Stasis & Menstrual Pain

How quickly can Blood Stasis menstrual pain improve?

Most patients notice significant improvement within 1-3 menstrual cycles with proper treatment. In this case, pain reduced from 8/10 to 6/10 in the first cycle, then to 4/10 in cycle 2, and finally to 2/10 by cycle 3. Complete resolution of clots and purple tongue signs took 3 cycles. Long-term maintenance prevents recurrence.

Can diet changes help Blood Stasis?

Yes, diet is crucial. Completely avoid cold/raw foods and iced drinks which constrict circulation. Emphasize warming foods like ginger, cinnamon, and cooked meals. Include blood-moving foods like turmeric, garlic, and fatty fish. Avoid dairy and sugar which increase inflammation and stagnation. Daily hot water bottle on lower abdomen also helps.

Is Blood Stasis the same as endometriosis?

Blood Stasis is a TCM functional pattern that often correlates with Western diagnoses like endometriosis, fibroids, or severe dysmenorrhea. However, Blood Stasis describes the mechanism (poor circulation causing pain), while endometriosis describes tissue location. Many endometriosis patients show Blood Stasis tongue signs - purple coloration, dark spots, and engorged sublingual veins.

Should I exercise during my period with Blood Stasis?

Gentle movement is beneficial between periods (walking, yoga, tai chi) to promote circulation. However, avoid intense exercise during menstruation when with Blood Stasis, as it can worsen cramping. Focus on rest, warmth, and gentle stretching during the flow. Resume moderate exercise 2-3 days after period ends.

Can Blood Stasis cause fertility problems?

Yes, Blood Stasis can contribute to infertility by obstructing uterine blood flow and potentially correlating with conditions like endometriosis or fibroids. The same herbs used for menstrual pain (blood-moving formulas) also support fertility by improving uterine circulation. However, treatment must be carefully timed around the menstrual cycle and avoided during confirmed pregnancy.

What Were the Patient's Main Symptoms?

  • ⚠️Severe menstrual cramps (8/10 pain)
  • ⚠️Heavy flow with large dark clots
  • ⚠️Fixed, stabbing lower abdominal pain
  • ⚠️Purple/blue nail beds
  • ⚠️Dark circles under eyes
  • ⚠️Varicose veins on legs
  • ⚠️Cold hands and feet

What Did the AI Tongue Analysis Reveal?

Visual Findings

Color:
Purple-red with dark purple spots
Shape:
Slightly stiff, reduced mobility
Coating:
Thin white coating
Texture:
Dry with visible purple sublingual veins
Regional Analysis:
Tip (Heart) and sides (Liver) show purple discoloration
AI Confidence: 98.2%

7-Model AI Analysis

A2: COLOR
Purple-red detected (Category: Blood Stasis)
A3: COATING
Thin white, minimal coating
A4: SHAPE
Normal size, reduced flexibility
A6: TEXTURE
Purple spots +3/4, sublingual veins engorged
A7: REGIONAL
Liver and Heart regions show stasis indicators

What Was the TCM Diagnosis?

Primary Pattern:

Blood Stasis with Cold

Secondary Pattern:

Liver Qi Stagnation

Western Correlation:

Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, dysmenorrhea, possible pelvic inflammatory disease

Pathological Mechanism:

Liver Qi stagnation → Qi fails to move Blood → Cold congeals Blood → Stasis forms → Pain (stasis = pain)

How Was Blood Stasis Treated?

Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Blood Stasis in the Lower Abdomen Decoction)

Dang Gui (Angelica) - 12g - Nourish and invigorate Blood
Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum) - 10g - Move Blood, stop pain
Tao Ren (Peach kernel) - 10g - Break Blood stasis
Hong Hua (Safflower) - 8g - Invigorate Blood
Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis) - 12g - Move Qi, stop pain
Wu Ling Zhi (Flying squirrel feces) - 10g - Invigorate Blood, stop pain
Pu Huang (Cattail pollen) - 10g - Stop bleeding, remove stasis
Rou Gui (Cinnamon bark) - 6g - Warm meridians, dispel Cold

Duration: 3 menstrual cycles

Lifestyle Modifications

  • Hot water bottle on lower abdomen daily
  • Avoid cold foods/drinks completely
  • Moderate exercise (yoga, walking) - avoid during period
  • Stress reduction techniques
  • Acupuncture weekly (CV4, SP6, SP10)
  • Castor oil packs on abdomen (non-menstrual days)

What Were the Treatment Results?

Cycle 1 Progress

  • pain: Reduced to 6/10, less ibuprofen needed
  • clots: Clots smaller, less dark
  • flow: Slightly lighter flow
  • tongue: Purple spots less prominent

Cycle 2 Progress

  • pain: Reduced to 4/10, manageable without medication
  • clots: Minimal clotting, normal red color
  • flow: Normal flow, 5 days duration
  • mood: Less PMS irritability
  • tongue: Color improving to healthy red-pink

Cycle 3 - Final Assessment

  • pain: Reduced to 2/10, only day 1 mild cramping
  • clots: No clots, healthy flow
  • circulation: Hands/feet warmer, nails pinkish
  • energy: Energy improved, no fatigue
  • tongue: Healthy pink-red, no purple spots
  • aiFollowUp: 92% stasis pattern resolution

1-Year Follow-up

Patient continued modified formula for 6 months. At 1-year follow-up: pain-free periods, normal flow without clots, purple tongue spots completely resolved. Ultrasound showed no new fibroid growth.

What Research Supports This Treatment?

This case demonstrates TCM blood-moving therapy for gynecological conditions, supported by clinical research and AI validation.

. Knowledge discovery in Traditional Chinese Medicine: State of the art and perspectives. Artificial Intelligence in Medicine. ;38(3):219-236. . Chinese medicine pattern differentiation and its implications for clinical practice. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine. ;17(11):818-823. . Syndrome differentiation in modern research of traditional Chinese medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. ;140(3):634-642. . Evidence-based ZHENG: A traditional Chinese medicine syndrome. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. ;2012. . Diagnostic method of diabetes based on support vector machine and tongue images. BioMed Research International. ;2018.

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