What Causes Blood Clots During Period

Large Blood Clots During Your Period Can Mean Uterine Fibroids

Experiencing small blood clots during your period is usually nothing to worry about but frequently passing clots, heavy bleeding, or larger blood clots can indicate an underlying condition like uterine fibroids or adenomyosis.

Uterine fibroids are the most common causes of , pelvic pain, and pressure. They can often be diagnosed during a routine pelvic exam but can be confirmed through .

When Are Period Blood Clots Worrisome

As we established, skin-like discharge during the period and blood clots are completely normal. However, there could be a reason for health concerns when your flow lasts for more than seven days. Also, if, together with clots, you have some of the symptoms below, dont hesitate to contact your gynecologist as quickly as you can.

• Blood clots that appear larger than a quarter
• Very heavy flow thats enough to fill a tampon/pad every hour
• Bleeding longer than 7-10 days
• Unusual clots that youve never seen before
• Bleeding and spotting in the middle of your menstrual cycle

If you have any questions and concerns about any of the symptoms or your period in general, feel free to reach out to University Park OBGYN, and well help you deal with whatever issue you may have.

The Consistency Of Your Period

Stringy blood clots during the period and sticky period blood dont have to be alarming as this kind of consistency usually just means that the uterus is ejecting the clot. Also, blood clots that are no bigger than a dime are completely normal. After all, keep in mind that the body has to discard the entire uterus lining and your period blood is precisely the mix of the lining tissues, vaginal fluid, and blood.

Stringy blood clots during the period that show as long strands of sticky period blood mean that the concentration of the discarded uterine lining is at its highest. At this point, the blood goes from bright to dark red.

Its highly possible youll notice jelly-like blood clots during the period from then on. And these clots can show up to the very last days of your period, even when the flow subsides. You might even see skin-like discharge during the period, which all usually points to these clumps of the last bits of the uterine lining leaving your body.

When it comes to consistency, stringy, jelly, sticky, and similar all fall under the normal category. However, if you notice watery consistency with fresh, bright red blood, this could be alarming and point to an injury or even a miscarriage. Call your gynecologist in Florida, or another place of residence, if your period blood is suspiciously watery and clear.

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Are Menstrual Clots Normal

One of the joys of womanhood, our monthly menstrual flow, can sometimes come with some surprises. One of those occurrences for many women is menstrual blood clots. Most women want to know if this is normal and why it is happening.

What Is Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Heavy menstrual bleeding is when your periods are extremely heavy or prolonged. Heavy means that your period lasts longer than seven days or that you lose more blood than is typical during menstruation. You may bleed so much that you have to change your tampon or pad every hour for several hours back-to-back. You may pass blood clots the size of a quarter or even larger.

Menstrual bleeding thats so heavy that it interferes with your daily life is never normal. Your provider can recommend treatments to manage heavy blood flow.

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Infographic Excerpt: Underlying Health Conditions That May Lead To Large Blood Clots During Periods

While clotting during the menstrual cycle is normal and expected, in some cases, it may be a sign of an underlying health condition, especially if the clots are bigger than a quarter, frequent, and accompanied by heavy menstrual flow. Check out the infographic below to know more about the health conditions that may cause larger-than-usual blood clots during periods.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Blood clots during periods can have many causes. These include fibroids, endometriosis, and hormonal imbalances. Certain home remedies can help manage blood clots during periods. Using red raspberry leaf, pumpkin seeds, chamomile tea, cold compress, vitamins, blackstrap molasses, cayenne pepper, ginger tea, and pumpkin seeds can minimize blood clots. In addition, you can possibly prevent blood clots by consuming foods rich in vitamin C, hydrating adequately, and exercising regularly. Also, limiting foods rich in vitamin K is recommended.

What Do Large Blood Clots During A Period Mean

For some women, the discomfort of menstruation can mean a day or two away from work each month. Symptoms like heavy flow, abdominal cramps, and back pain are made even worse by the presence of blood clots during period. Theyre frightening to see and difficult to understand. But the professionals at North Texas Fibroids in Flower Mound, Cedar Hill, and Dallas, TX, can ease your fears, answer questions, and even provide relief.

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Check If You Have Heavy Periods

You may have heavy periods if you:

• need to change your pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, or empty your menstrual cup more often than is recommended
• need to use 2 types of sanitary product together, such as a pad and a tampon
• have periods lasting more than 7 days
• pass blood clots larger than about 2.5cm
• bleed through to your clothes or bedding
• avoid daily activities, like exercise, or take time off work because of your periods
• feel tired or short of breath a lot

When Should I Be Concerned About Blood Clots During My Period

Period clots the size of a quarter or larger actually indicate that youre officially in heavy bleeding territory, also known as menorrhagia. According to the CDC, other menorrhagia symptoms include:

The reason why all of this matters : Having heavy, drawn-out bleeding can lead to anemia, a blood issue that can leave you feeling tired or weak, the CDC says. It can also be a sign of an underlying health condition that requires treatment .

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Blood Clots During A Menstrual Cycle

The frequency, amount and duration of a menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman and month to month. The same applies to other period symptoms such as cramping, blood clots, blood colour, or odour. Even though occasional blood clots are normal and dont need to be treated, they sometimes indicate underlying conditions like anaemia .

Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynaecologist, Obstetrician and IVF Expert, Nurture Clinic, told Health Shots about period blood clots, what they mean and when you need to see a doctor.

Stringy Blood Clots During Period Should You Be Concerned

Its only natural that blood clots sound scary, but they can actually be rather good on many occasions. For instance, when we get injured, blood cells coagulate in order to form a blood clot that will prevent further bleeding and protect the wound. When it comes to period blood, jelly-like blood clots during the period usually consist of all kinds of tissues such as dead cells, coagulated blood, parts of the uterine lining, etc. Now, sticky period blood and skin-like discharge during the period can indicate heavier flow, but they are completely natural. However, constant heavier flow can mean that theres a more serious underlying issue. That said, its important to inform yourself more on the matter so that you can act and react accordingly.

In most cases, jelly-like clots during the period are a perfectly normal part of menstruation. Small and even stringy blood clots during the period may not be a reason for concern at all, especially if the clots dont show up larger than a dime during the period of the heaviest flow, and you dont feel any unusual discomfort. The color of these blood clots can also vary from one person to another and from one day in the cycle to another and go from light to very dark red.

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When To Seek Medical Attention

While blood clots during periods are often normal, there are certain circumstances when it’s important to seek medical attention. These include:

The Best Ways To Naturally Support Uterine Health

There are a variety of herbs and natural therapies that are beneficial for increasing uterine health.

Red Raspberry Leaf An herb packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals like vitamins C and E, calcium and iron, Red Raspberry leaf is astringent to body tissues and is known to tone the uterine muscle which may be supportive in times of heavy bleeding as a result of uterine weakness.

Certified Herbalist Angela Justis of Herbal Academy: The International School of Arts & Sciences shares, Raspberry is well-known by herbalists as a uterine tonic Raspberry also has astringent properties used to tighten lax tissues. Together the fragarine and astringency are thought to be responsible for many of the raspberry leaf benefits for women by helping tighten and tone uterine and pelvic muscles. Hence, the infusion or tea consumed regularly throughout the cycle may be of assistance in cases of uterine prolapse and excessive menstrual bleeding. It is also used to help soothe painful muscle spasms in the uterus, helping to ease menstrual cramping

Self Fertility Massage A series of massage techniques to support reproductive system health including increased circulation to the uterus, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes, hormonal balance, endocrine and immune system health and in support of the bodys stress response.

Hydration Staying properly hydrated is important for healthy flow of all fluids within the body, including, menstrual blood.

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Is My Period Bleeding Heavy

Heavy period bleeding is common. This doesnât mean you should just live with it, because it can have negative impacts on your health. That is why healthcare providers call it âabnormal uterine bleedingâ . Heavy bleeding includes any of the following :

• Soaking one or more tampons or pads in an hour for two or more hours

• Clots larger than a quarter

• Vaginal bleeding lasting longer than 7 days

• Needing to change pad/tampon/cup during the night

• Needing to wear more than one pad at a time

Thick Blood Clots During Period: Causes Diagnosis Treatment Underlying Health Problems

• Are blood clots normal during a period?
• Endometriosis can cause painful and heavy periods.
• Is It Normal for Period Blood to Come Out in Clumps?

People may worry if they notice clots in their menstrual blood, but this is perfectly normal and rarely cause for concern.

Menstrual clots are a mixture of blood cells, tissue from the lining of the uterus, and proteins in the blood that help regulate its flow.

Some medical conditions can cause large blood clots, often alongside heavy menstrual bleeding or period pains. People should see a doctor if they are concerned about their menstrual clots.

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What Causes Blood Clots During Periods

The menstrual cycle of a fertile woman repeats every 28 to 35 days, lasting for about 4 to 8 days. It causes the shedding of the uterine lining .

The endometrium, which thickens and grows in response to the hormone estrogen, supports a fertile egg upon conception. However, if a woman does not conceive during this period, this lining sheds off. This whole process is called menstruation. This shedding causes blood clots during menstruation.

When the lining is shed, it may get mixed with

The endometrium usually pools in the bottom of the uterus and waits for the cervix to contract to be expelled. To help with the breakdown of this lining, your body produces anticoagulants. When the blood flow surpasses the amount of anticoagulants produced, it results in blood clots.

Medical conditions responsible for heavy blood flow during your periods are:

• Uterine obstructions that enlarge the uterus
• Fibroids, which are noncancerous muscular tumors that grow in the uterine wall
• Endometriosis, a condition in which the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and into your reproductive tract
• Adenomyosis, which occurs when the uterine lining grows into the uterine wall
• Cancerous tumors
• Hormonal imbalances

Menstrual clotting can also be accompanied by the following side effects.

Know The Causes Of Blood Clots During Menstruation In Women

Passing of blood in the form of blood clots on your periods can be normal.

Where many women experience this condition of blood clots in their days of heavy bleeding for others it might be a regular thing.

On one hand where occasional clotting is not worrisome, experiencing these large clots on a regular basis can be an indication of some underlying condition.

Normal clots are small in size and occur occasionally towards the beginning or end of your periods depending upon the blood flow.

Abnormal menstrual clots are comparatively larger in size and darker in colour as compared to the normal period blood.

Period blood is supposed to be in fluid form, clotting is the bodys natural defense mechanism.

Blood clots can be understood as collection of blood in veins and arteries when blood changes from liquid to a partially solid form.

Generally these come up as a response to injuries. This happens due to the presence of two substances namely platelets and fibrin.

Menstrual cramps generally occur due to a heavy flow and feels like blood clots are passing through the private part.

In most of the cases these clots tend to appear on the first and second day of your periods as the flow is comparatively heavier on these days.

In some cases a woman might experience clots in alternative months depending upon the heaviness of the flow.

Passing blood clots can be normal in some cases whereas it can be an indication of some or the other underlying disease.

1. Thyroid.

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When Your Period Comes With Fleshy Tissue Tissue

Your period can also come with small pieces of fleshy tissue and this does not mean that the woman has had a miscarriage. These pieces of tissue are little bits of the woman’s own endometrium, but they are colorless. Just as the blood has red cells and white cells, the endometrium can also have this coloration.

If your menstruation has pieces of fleshy tissue for 2 consecutive cycles, see your gynecologist for assessment and ask if testing if necessary.

A Word About Menstruation

Menstrual consistency can vary at any time, including during the same period and from one period to another. This means you may see many clots and a heavy flow one month, but no clots and a lighter flow the next. Variation is completely normal, and you can chalk up these changes to lifestyle factors and diet.

Also of note, the body normally produces anticoagulants, or blood thinning agents, that help endometrium fragments and blood freely move to the cervix and then out of the body. Stress and lifestyle factors like starting or stopping an exercise routine can impact this process. But when blood clots are experienced regularly with every period, the more common culprits are fibroids.

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Is Heavy Bleeding After 50 Normal

Heavy bleeding is common among women transitioning into menopause, the point when your bodys reproductive system stops releasing eggs. One study found that among women ages 42 to 52, more than 90% experienced periods that lasted 10 days or more with 78% reporting their blood flow as heavy.

This is because when women approach menopause, there are fewer eggs to mature in the ovaries. The body releases higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone in an attempt to maintain normal ovulation, which produces more estrogen.

These greater levels of estrogen thicken the lining of the uterus, often resulting in heavier, longer periods. The time it takes for a womans body to complete this cycle can extend as well, leading to longer gaps between periods and more blood flow.

This change in reproductive hormone levels called perimenopause generally begins about four years before a woman has her last period. But the transition can start as early as 10 years before menopause.

Continued

Extrauterine Causes Of Blood Clots During Menstruation

There are situations that exceed the uterine organ as such and are systemic or external. These conditions that can lead to the appearance of blood clots during menstruation, can be:

Hormonal changes: the most frequent and benign cause. In general, it solves only with the passage of time, without the need for medical intervention.

Coagulation diseases: when a woman suffers from a hematological pathology linked to blood clotting, her menstruation is affected. A common example is von Willebrand disease. Although it is a deficit of coagulation, producing heavy bleeding stores blood in the uterus that coagulates later.

Intrauterine device: known worldwide as an IUD, this contraceptive method has blood clots among its adverse effects during menstruation. If the adverse effects are persistent and alter the quality of life, the IUD should be removed.

Anemia: It has been scientifically established that anemia is the cause of blood clots during menstruation. A vicious circle generates in the woman who suffers from it. Abundant menstruation leads to anemia due to iron loss, which leaves less iron available in the body. Without that adequate iron, the uterus reduces its clotting power, increasing the amount of blood lost.

When to consult the doctor

Most women with blood clots during menstruation will not require medical consultation. Anyway, there are alarm signs that should lead to the consultation. Among these signs we have:

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