Blood Clots During Menstruation

Blood clots during menstruation are normal for most women. However, if they are associated with other symptoms, they may indicate the presence of an irregularity.

A visit to the gynecologist is always a good idea. Specialists remind us that each body is unique, and menstruation manifests itself differently in each woman. Thus, blood clots are not necessarily a cause for concern.

We offer you more details in the rows below.

Blood clots during menstruation – what are they?

To understand what blood clots you occasionally eliminate during menstruation, it is important to keep the following information in mind:

• The walls of the uterus gradually change in order to prepare the body for a possible pregnancy. They thicken and develop new tissues to support the fetus.

• In the absence of pregnancy, those additional layers formed along the uterine lining are gradually eliminated, causing menstruation itself.
• Generally, if there is a certain lesion, the blood clots. It is a defense mechanism that the body activates to prevent the loss of a large amount of blood. But during menstruation, the blood must flow much more easily in order to be eliminated.
• That is why the uterus produces an “anticoagulant”. If you have an abundant menstrual flow, that “natural anticoagulant” can no longer cope, which is why blood clots form. 
• In general, the size of these blood clots varies between 5 mm and 5 cm and are more common among women with heavy menstruation. If you have a reduced menstrual flow, you may never experience this symptom.
• But an important thing to remember is that, in general, clots tend to form during sleep. Sometimes the mass created is so dense that it can scare you.

Important aspects of blood clots during menstruation

1. Lack of iron

Iron deficiency can cause many problems for women.

• It is normal to lose significant amounts of this mineral during heavy menstruation. But the greater the iron deficiency in the body, the harder it is for the uterus to produce that natural anticoagulant. Thus, anemia can lead to the formation of even larger blood clots.
• It is important to monitor your iron level in your body and to take certain supplements, if your doctor deems them necessary.

2. Minor hormonal imbalances

It is common for teenagers or adult women who have recently given birth to remove blood clots during menstruation.

They are formed as a result of imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels, which can also occur in the pre-menopausal period.

3. Spontaneous abortion

If you try to get pregnant and notice that you have removed a yellowish or green blood clot, it may be a sign of a miscarriage.

Do not hesitate to see your family doctor or gynecologist.

4. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a silent disease that affects millions of women. If you have extremely painful and unpleasant periods, you may be among them.

• Endometriosis affects the female reproductive organs and is characterized by the formation of very dense lesions in the uterus and neighboring organs. They cause pain that worsens during menstruation, causing heavy blood clots.

5. Gynecological diseases

As I mentioned at the beginning, the presence of blood clots during menstruation is common in many women. However, if you have severe pain, it is advisable to go to a gynecological consultation.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease, for example, is associated with acute abdominal pain and the presence of blood clots during menstruation.
• This disease is caused by a bacterium that causes an infection that spreads from the cervix to the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries.

• It is one of the most common gynecological diseases and causes severe pain, which is why it is important to consult a specialist if you suspect that you suffer from this condition.

The presence of fibroids or cysts is also associated with blood clots during menstruation. Even if these clots can be a normal symptom, it doesn’t hurt to talk to your gynecologist about it at the next annual consultation.