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.
What does it mean to have clots in menstrual blood?
Blood clots are a natural part of menstruation.
It might be surprising to see a thick glob of menstrual blood, but, in most cases, blood clots are a natural part of menstruation.
It does not usually mean that there is a problem, but sometimes it can be a sign of a health condition.
Blood clots are a natural part of the body’s defense mechanism. The thick, jelly-like texture of a menstrual clot helps prevent too much blood from escaping.
This is the same clotting function that happens elsewhere in the body is an injury to the tissue, such as a cut or laceration.
Menstrual clots generally occur when the flow is heavy. They are more common during the first 2 days of menstruation, which is typically the heaviest part of a period.
When do clots happen?
Clots happen when the uterine lining sheds increased amounts of blood. When the blood pools in the uterus or vagina, it begins to coagulate, much like it would on an open skin wound.
Causes of menstrual clots
During menstruation, the endometrial cells that line the uterus strip away and leave the body.
As this happens, the body releases proteins that cause the blood in the uterus to coagulate. This coagulation prevents the blood vessels in the uterine lining from continuing to bleed.
The blood that the body has already shed also contains these coagulation proteins.
When the flow is most substantial, the coagulation proteins within the blood may start to clump together, resulting in menstrual clots
Possible health conditions
Although it is normal to have clots in the blood during menstruation, this symptom can sometimes signal a medical issue.
It is advisable to seek medical advice if the clots:
- are larger than a quarter in size
- are very frequent
- occur with an abnormally heavy flow that requires a person to change their pad or tampon at least every 1–2 hours
- occur with significant pain
The following conditions may cause abnormal menstrual clots:
- uterine polyps or fibroids
- endometriosis
- adenomyosis
- Hormonal imbalances
- Pregnancy loss
- Enlarged uterus
- Bleeding disorders
When to see a doctor
People who are experiencing very heavy menstrual bleeding or have clots larger than a quarter in their menstrual blood should see a doctor, especially if they have any of the signs or symptoms of the conditions mentioned above.
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