Are Blood Clots During Your Period Normal? Here’s What to Know

Have you ever passed blood clots during your period? If so, have they left you feeling anxious and questioning whether something abnormal is happening with your body?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone!

First, clotting during your period is common and usually just a regular part of your body’s monthly menstrual cycle. Even with the anti-coagulants in your body, some blood clots are likely to form during your period, especially on the days when your flow is heaviest.

However, some, especially palm-sized blood clots during your period, should be considered red flags. So, when is it time to worry?

In this blog post, we will discuss period blood clots in more detail, including what they are, why they form, and when you should seek guidance from your doctor. Continue reading to learn more.

What Are Menstrual Blood Clots?

To understand whether blood clots during your period are normal, it's essential to know what they are.

Menstrual blood clots are thick, jelly-like masses of blood that vary in size from small, pea-sized clots to larger, palm-sized blood clots during your period.

They are often dark red or brown. Most women will notice them in the toilet or on their period pad. Women with larger blood clots can sometimes feel them expel during menstrual flow.

When Are Blood Clots During a Period Normal?

In most cases, small blood clots during your period are normal and nothing to worry about. These clots typically form when the flow of menstrual blood is heavy, and the blood has a chance to coagulate before leaving your body.

When asking yourself if the blood clots you experience are “normal,” consider the following aspects

• Menstrual Flow Volume
  Blood clots are more likely to occur during heavy periods. If your flow is light to moderate, you may not experience clots.
• Age
  Younger women and those who have recently started menstruating may experience more blood clots as their bodies adjust to the hormonal changes of puberty.
• Menstrual Products
  Certain menstrual products, like pads, can make clots more noticeable than tampons.
• Hormonal Changes:
  Hormonal changes, such as those associated with childbirth, menopause, or certain birth control methods, can influence the texture and volume of menstrual blood.

When Should I Worry About Menstrual Blood Clots?

While small blood clots are usually nothing to be alarmed about, there are instances when the presence of blood clots during your period might indicate an underlying health issue.

Here are some signs that you should seek medical attention

• Large Clots
  Passing large clots could signify a more substantial issue, like fibroids. A large, golf ball-sized blood clot during your period is a cause for concern and should send you to your doctor immediately for a checkup.
• Accompanying Symptoms
  Severe menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding that requires you to change your menstrual product frequently (more than every hour), and the passage of large clots could indicate conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, or adenomyosis.
• Change in Menstrual Pattern
  If you notice a sudden change in your menstrual cycle, including clots, when you've never experienced them, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider.

Keep an eye out for other symptoms like pelvic pain, irregular periods, or unusual vaginal discharge, as they can be associated with underlying gynecological issues.

In addition to the size of the clots and present symptoms, you may also want to see your doctor if you’re passing lots of clots regularly, even if they aren’t substantial.

While not always the case, excessive or heavy bleeding, clotting, and other severe symptoms can indicate that you’re developing uterine fibroids. These non-cancerous tumors grow on or within the tissue of the uterus. Nearly 70% of women will experience fibroid symptoms during their life, so it's important to look out for the warning signs.

Blood clotting can also be a sign of a miscarriage, endometriosis, or even certain kinds of cancer, so it’s a good idea to see your doctor about any menstrual bleeding that seems unusual for your body.

Eliminate Fibroid-Related Period Blood Clots With Effective Treatment in Houston 

In most cases, small blood clots during your period are entirely normal and nothing to be concerned about, but larger ones may indicate undiagnosed fibroids.

When it comes to treating fibroids, early detection is best.

There’s no reason to sit at home, waiting for things to improve. If you’re concerned about heavy menstrual bleeding or have experienced the miscarriage of golf ball-sized blood clots during your period, our team of experts is here to help.

If fibroids cause blood clots during your period, we provide effective, minimally invasive treatment options, like uterine fibroid embolization, to eliminate symptoms and help you feel better sooner without the need for extended hospital stays or recovery timelines.

Contact us today to learn more about UFE treatment or schedule a personalized consultation.

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