Normal Vs Abnormal Period Blood Clots
Its important to know when period clots should be considered normal or abnormal.
If the blood clots during your period arent larger than a quarter and happen occasionally, thats normal. Also keep it in mind that period clots are not life-threatening.
You may notice that your blood clots change in color from red to almost black. This change is also absolutely normal.
But if you are or suspect you are pregnant and have noticed blood clots, its a sign to visit your health care provider as soon as possible to exclude the possibility of miscarriage.
And if you notice large clots on a regular basis, its best to make an appointment with your OB-GYN to check for any complications.
Normal clots:
- Are smaller than 1 inch
- Occur occasionally, usually around the beginning of your period
Abnormal blood clots:
- Are larger than a quarter
- Occur frequently
Uterine Polyps Or Fibroids
A blockage in the uterus may stop it from contracting as it should, meaning that it cannot force the blood out as quickly as usual. The blood will leave the body more slowly so it will have more time to pool and form clumps.
The blockage can also cause a heavier flow, which results in more blood pooling.
Blockages may occur as a result of growths in the uterus. These include uterine polyps and fibroids, which are not cancerous but can cause other health issues without proper management.
Uterine polyps and fibroids consist of either endometrial or muscular tissue that grows in the uterine wall. They can cause symptoms such as:
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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Pay Attention To Your Bodys Signals
Your period can be an indicator of your reproductive health. Paying attention to this each month will help you identify concerns, including blood clots. While some are normal, their continued presence can be a sign of uterine fibroids. The good news is that our office is well-equipped to treat fibroids with UFE, a minimally invasive therapy with fantastic results.
How To Prevent Blood Clots During Your Period
Hormonal birth control can help keep your period in check, says Dr. Coleman, but if youd rather not use hormonal contraception or are trying to conceive, taking ibuprofen up to three times a day on your heaviest days can reduce your flow and ease cramping.
A healthy diet and lifestyle can actually help balance out hormones and excessive bleeding that is related to hormonal changes, says Dr. Gupta. However, if bleeding is due to actual anatomical problems such as fibroids, then those will need to be addressed.
Your best bet? See your OB/GYN if you think the blood clots during your period may be pointing to something more serious. He or she can help provide an individualized treatment plan for you.
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Is It Normal To Have Blood Clots During Period
Yes. During the early stages of your period you may experience severe increase bleeding with blood clots. These subsides in few days. A menstrual cup can help with heavy clots during periods.
Other causes of causes of blood clots in period are vaginal infection, endometrial thickening or cancer. You should inform your doctor if period bleeding is more than 7 days.
Possible Consequences Of Menorrhagia
Menorrhagia is a condition so extreme that you shouldnt take it for granted. Heres what your doctor might tell you about the consequences of playing ignorant.
- Anemia. It is an obvious consequence. Losing more blood than you replace every month will cause you to turn pale to the whims of anemia before long. This happens in two forms. Blood loss leads to reduction in the number of red blood cells being circulated. This turns you pale and also reduces hemoglobin which helps in oxygen transportation to tissues.
Now when it comes to iron deficiency anemia, you find out that this occurs in the bid for your body to replace the red blood cells it lost by using up your bodys stored up iron to produce hemoglobin that will help transport oxygen to your body tissues. This causes iron depletion.
- Severe dysmenorrhea. Menstrual cramps come naturally with your periods and therefore causing you to witness painful menstruation. But menorrhagia makes dysmenorrhea look like an amateur when it comes to causing painful cramps because then it becomes so severe due to heavy menstrual bleeding with clots larger than a quarter that you might need to be evaluated medically.
Nobody wants to live through this much pain, you definitely dont want either. So make sure youve got timely medical help.
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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.
Is Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Serious
Heavy menstrual bleeding can be serious if you lose so much blood that you show signs of anemia. Anemia is a condition arising from having too little iron in your body. Anemia can be life-threatening without treatment.
Also, some of the conditions that can cause heavy period bleeding, like cancer, require early medical intervention. Speak with your healthcare provider to discuss any risks related to your period bleeding.
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What Causes Heavy Periods And Abnormal Bleeding
In girls, pregnancy and dysfunctional uterine bleeding are likely to cause abnormal bleeding.
As the age increases, you should also think about IUCD , fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic infection, polyps, hypothyroidism.
In perimenopausal women, consider endometrial carcinoma. General bleeding problems such as von Willebrand’s disease may be the cause as well.
It is an abnormal thing if you have to use 2 or more pads within two 2 hours.
Heavy bleeding can also be related to the following issues:
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding . This is a heavy and/or irregular bleeding in the absence of recognizable pelvic pathology. It is associated with anovulatory menstrual cycles. Anovulation is a medical term for the situation when the ovaries do not release an oocyte during a menstrual cycle. Therefore, ovulation does not take place.
Complications in pregnancy. Heavy periods can be due to a miscarriage and it can also be as a result of an abnormal location of the placenta .
What Is A Normal Period
Whats normal for you may not be what textbooks define as a normal period. Generally speaking, though, a period is considered normal if it:
- Comes anywhere between every 24 day to 38 days
- Varies as much as 20 days over the course of the year
- Lasts between four-and-a-half to eight days
- Includes between 5 milliliters and 80 ml of blood
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When To See A Doctor
Period blood clots are a normal part of your menstrual cycle. But when you notice any changes to the size and amount, it could point to an underlying condition. When speaking to your doctor, be prepared with the following information:
- How long your period usually lasts.
- How heavy your usual flow is.
- If youve been bleeding between periods.
- If youve noticed changes over time.
- If youve been experiencing pain.
- If theres a chance you might be pregnant.
- A list of medications you are currently on.
- A list of other medical conditions.
Expect your doctor to do a pelvic exam. They may also want to do a blood test, a pap test or an ultrasound during your visit.
After an exam and testing, your doctor may prescribe the following based on the results, how severe the clots are and your other symptoms:
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 .
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What Are The Complications Related To Large Menstrual Clots
If you are having unusually large period blood clots and that too frequently, you should see a doctor about that. A side effect of heavy bleeding and menstrual clots is iron deficiency anemia. Anemia occurs when there is insufficient iron in your body, and no healthy red blood cells can be produced because of it. Some symptoms of anemia are:
How Are Period Blood Clots Treated
First, youll need to find out whats causing your heavy periods. Discuss your symptoms with your ob-gyn, and get ready to go over your menstrual history. Your doc will likely want to know how old you were when you first got your period, how long your cycle is, how many days are on the heavy side, and how your periods affect your quality of life, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
To get to the bottom of period blood clots, you might also undergo blood tests, a pap smear, an endometrial biopsy , an ultrasound, or other exams depending on your symptoms and results, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If youre dealing with clots from a heavy period, uterine fibroids, PCOS, or a bleeding disorder like VWD, hormonal contraceptives including the Pill, patch, and a hormonal IUD can help, as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium and Tranexamic acid .
Meds like Orilissa can also ease endometriosis symptoms, though you may need multiple treatments or surgery, too. Got PID? That can be treated with antibiotics .
Ultimately, treatment is going to vary depending on exactly what kinds of symptoms youre experiencing, and what could truly be behind your period blood clots, so its important to seek out help if youre worried or notice something is off with your body.
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When Might You Need To See A Doctor
If youre feeling concerned about the size, shape, or number of clots youre passing during a period, try not to panic. Dr. Twogood advises trying to quantify the clots and total blood loss and then talking through this information with a health care professional. You can use an app like Flo to help you track period symptoms like these.
In particular, Dr. Twogood recommends seeking medical help if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Regularly passing period clots larger than an inch in diameter
- Bleeding through a tampon or pad in less than an hour
- Having to change period products multiple times in the middle of the night
- Symptoms of anemia, like significant fatigue, weakness, dizziness, or frequent headaches
- Pain that gets in the way of normal daily activities and is not alleviated by common measures like over-the-counter medications or lifestyle changes
Remember that you can always book a checkup if youre concerned or unsure about whats typical and what isnt.
Expert Management For Painful Periods And Heavy Bleeding
For most women, menstrual cycles occur about every 28 days, and periods last four to seven days. Abnormal menstruation includes problems such as heavy bleeding, known as menorrhagia, irregular menstrual bleeding, and pain during periods, known as dysmenorrhea.
UT Southwestern gynecologic surgeons, specialists, and their teams are nationally recognized for their expertise in womens health care. We participate in research to improve diagnosis, management, and treatment for heavy, irregular, painful periods. Our specialists are also faculty members, dedicated to educating future womens health doctors and other care providers.
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Use Of Hormonal Contraceptives And Medications
Hormonal contraceptives stop the growth of the lining of the uterine wall. An IUD with progestin-release may also help to reduce around 90 percent of the flow. Birth control pills also help to reduce almost half of the menstrual flow. Some women dont prefer the use of hormonal medication. They can opt for medicines with tranexamic acid as it helps in controlling blood clotting.
What Causes Heavy Periods
For many people with heavy periods, no cause is ever found. This is known as dysfunctional uterine bleeding . DUB can occur at any age and is more common in your late thirties.
Heavy periods may be caused by:
- a problem with the lining of your uterus . This lining is called the endometrium. It can sometimes become too thick or even become cancerous
- lumps in the muscle of the uterus, called fibroids
- a medicine that you take, such as a blood thinner
- a medical condition
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How Is Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Treated
Treatment depends on whats causing your bleeding, how severe your bleeding is, your health, age and medical history. Also, treatment depends on your response to certain medicines and your preferences. For instance, you may not want to have a period at all, or you may want to reduce your bleeding. In addition, your plans to get pregnant will affect your treatment options.
Talk with your provider about your health concerns and your goals for treatment.
Medications used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding
- Iron supplements improve your iron stores.
- Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugslike Ibuprofen® or Aspirin® can ease your cramps and reduce your bleeding.
- Birth control may help make your periods more regular and lighten your blood flow.
- Hormone therapy can help balance the amount of estrogen and progesterone in your body so that your menstrual flow isnt as heavy. HT is often recommended for heavy menstrual bleeding associated with perimenopause but comes with risks that you should discuss with your provider.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists can temporarily stop or reduce bleeding by preventing ovulation.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists can manage heavy period bleeding related to fibroids.
- Desmopressin nasal spray can stop bleeding associated with von Willebrand disease by helping your blood clot.
- Antifibrinolytic medicines, like tranexamic acid, prevent clots from breaking down and causing excessive bleeding.
Procedures used to treat heavy period bleeding
Ufe Treatment For Adenomyosis
Uterine fibroid embolization is also in about 75-80% of patients. The only treatment option that is customarily offered to women with adenomyosis is . Non-surgical UFE is a viable option and should be considered in every woman before undergoing surgery and removing the uterus.
If you are experiencing heavy bleeding or large blood clotting, or have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids or adenomyosis, contact today to set up a consultation.
and have over 30 years of experience in performing uterine fibroid embolization . They have helped over 10,000 women find the relief they were looking for without surgery. In as little as 30 minutes, you can be free from painful symptoms, heavy bleeding, and abnormal period blot clotting.
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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.
How Is The Cause Of Menstrual Clots Diagnosed
To determine the underlying cause of your menstrual clots, your doctor will likely ask you about things that impact menstruation. For example, they may ask if youve had previous pelvic surgeries, use birth control, or have ever been pregnant. Theyll also examine your uterus.
Additionally, your doctor may use blood tests to look for hormonal imbalances. Imaging tests, such as an MRI or ultrasound, can be used to check for fibroids, endometriosis, or other obstructions.
Controlling heavy menstrual bleeding is the best way to control menstrual clots.
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