Are Blood Clots During Menstruation Normal?
Posted on Apr 22, 2009 | Comments 9
Many women worry that a change in the flow or consistency of menstruation is a sign of something serious.
After all the news about cervical cancer and abnormal pap smears, most women are on the offensive.
However, these changes do not always mean that something is wrong, or out of order. Blood clots that are passed during menstruation can be completely normal. In most cases, this is simply your body passing blood too quickly.
Normal Blood Clotting
During your period, your body will release anticoagulants that keep the blood fluid and thinned. However, if your flow is extremely strong, the blood may pass before the anticoagulants can work. In this case, the blood may clot as it is passed.
However, there are times when blood clots should be a reason for concern. If you are passing clots that are bigger than a quarter on a regular basis, it could be a sign of something else.
In this case you should consult with your doctor immediately to find out the cause. The following conditions could be causing you to pass larger than normal clots.
Hormonal Changes can Cause Blood Clots
The menstruation cycle can be affected by fluxuations in the hormones progesterone and estrogen. These hormones control how the body sheds the lining of the uterus. When these hormones get out of balance, the wall of the uterus can become very thick.
Once this occurs, you may experience a heavier flow, and more clots. Hormonal changes can be caused by a number of things including menopause, excessive weight loss or gain, or as a result of some medications. In this situation, your doctor may put you on a hormone therapy.
Enlarged Uterus
During pregnancy the uterus will become enlarged to accommodate the child you are carrying. After pregnancy, the uterus is supposed to shrink and go back to the normal size.
However, in some cases this may not happen. If the uterus does not shrink, blood may pool inside before being passed on. The blood may begin to clot inside before passing, and you will see several clots during your period.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue that is supposed to grow inside the uterus, grows on the outside. This condition can be very serious, and should be treated by a physician.
If this condition develops it can lead to a heavier flow, and excessive clotting. This condition can be treated by medication in the early stages, but may require surgery later in development.
In all of these cases, there are treatment options available. However, a doctor will be required for proper diagnosis and treatment. If you suspect that your menstruation cycle has changed or become heavier in the past few months, it is best to contact your physician or gynecologist.
Only they can confirm, through testing, whether the clots you are experiencing are normal, or a sign of something more serious. This can usually be confirmed through a Pap smear, or ultrasound, conducted by your physician.
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Posted in: Menstrual Cycle

Thank You. This helped me a lot.
this helped me. im new to this whole period thing and have only had mine for about 4 years. i get major clots that are sometimes twice the size of a quarter and it burns and i can feel when they pass. i think now i’ll see a doctor.
this information has enlightened me considerably.
I have sex a lot u can call me a nympho and i have blood clots the size of my hand…. maybe this is bad?
Thank a lot for this info
Guess its time to go see a doc
Endometriosis cannot be detected through a pap smear/regular pelvic exam. I had it for 20 years and doctors never did anything about it until I got a giant ovarian cyst they found with ultrasound. It wasn’t until I had surgery to remove the cyst that the surgeon confirmed what I had always known- I was full of Endometriosis. If your periods are unbelievably, unbearably painful and you have a ridiculously heavy flow, you probably have it.
why i am experincing blood cloth during my menstrual cycle? what is wrong? i am 35 yrs old no children.
i had ahuge fibroid in my uterus my myomectamy was done on 23 dec still i have bleeding problem pleas solve my problem
Bleeding for 35 days with some large clots..What can I do to stop the bleeding? I’m 50 yrs old this is the first time I have had an irregular period. How long should I let this go before I become very low on Iron and how can I replace the iron loss?