Sticky Menstrual Blood in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different sticky menstrual blood patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Sticky menstrual blood refers to menstrual flow that is unusually viscous or adhesive in nature. This symptom is characterized by menstrual blood that is notably thicker and clings more than typical menstrual discharge. Such a consistency change can be indicative of underlying health conditions and is distinct from normal variations in menstrual fluid.
Synonyms for this symptom include adhesive menstrual flow, clinging menstrual discharge, and viscous period blood, each describing the unusual thickness and tackiness of the menstrual blood.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), sticky menstrual blood is seen as a symptom arising from imbalances within the body's natural systems. TCM does not view symptoms in isolation but as indicators of deeper disharmonies within the body's Qi (energy), Blood, and organ systems.
Sticky menstrual blood is often associated with patterns of disharmony such as Phlegm or Heat within the body, and TCM emphasizes identifying and treating these underlying causes rather than just the symptom itself.
TCM Patterns for Sticky Menstrual Blood
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause sticky menstrual blood
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Diagnostic signs
Slippery (Hua)
Swollen tongue with sticky coating
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Heat in Uterus Blood
Diagnostic signs
Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Red tongue with yellow coating
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Diagnostic signs
Slippery (Hua)
Swollen tongue with sticky coating
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Sticky Menstrual Blood
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address sticky menstrual blood