What are menstrual clots, and why are mine so heavy?

Heavy clots during menstruation are a reason to have a talk with a doctor. Heavy clots are clots larger than a quarter, or clots accompanied by a sharp pain and heavy flow. Your body might be trying to tell you something unusual is happening and an appointment with a doctor would be in order.

But if the blood comes out in profuse amounts and the blood flows out quickly, the anticoagulants do not have any opportunity to work and clots develop to their normal size. Even though small clots have an alarming appearance, they are usually harmless.

Menstrual clots are jelly-like, dense clusters of blood on your menstrual cycle. They may range in size from as tiny as a pea to as large as a quarter in size. Clots occur when blood settles in the vagina and uterus and gets thickened. It is your own natural mechanism of decreasing the flow of blood.

Small clots on most occasions are what you have when you are on your period. Blood contains anticoagulants to stop blood from clotting as it sheds.

What are the common reasons for heavy clots during menstruation?

When you have your periods, occasionally you might notice blood clumps or what we call "clots." They are usually harmless but occasionally quite heavy. Why would you have heavy clots when you have your periods?

1. Endocrine disorders

Your menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones within your body. Sometimes the level of the hormones gets a bit out of proportion, particularly hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Too much estrogen in the body will make your body make more lining within your uterus, and this can result in more blood loss and bigger clots when you menstruate.

2. Uterine conditions

Other women have disorders of the uterus itself, where the menstrual blood comes from. An example would be fibroids, benign growths on the uterus that can make the uterus bigger or irregularly shaped. With another disorder, adenomyosis, the tissue on the inside of the uterus grows into the uterine muscular wall. Both disorders can lead to heavy blood loss and larger clots.

3. Blood clot disorders

At times, your blood clots too quickly and too heavily. This might be an alteration in how your blood clots and results in clots heavier in your monthly menstrual periods. This isn't as frequent, but might be the cause of the heavier clots.

Heavy menstrual clots risk factors include:

Painful menstrual clots

What are some of the elements that can increase your chances of experiencing heavy menstrual clots?

1. Age group

Younger women starting their periods and perimenopausal women are likely to spot clots more frequently. This is due to the changing hormone levels in them.

2. Your family history

If your mother and sisters have had issues with clots and heavy bleeding, you will likely have them as well.

3. Medical conditions

Certain medical conditions including thyroid disorders, disorders of the blood and liver disease are responsible for triggering heavier periods and lead to clotting. Disorders such as fibroids and adenomyosis in the uterus are also very frequent causes.

4. Lifestyle choices

Excess weight, smoking and a lack of exercise can affect your menstrual cycle and result in heavier and clotted menstrual flow.

When should you seek a doctor?

Size and number

If you notice blood clots over the size of a quarter, or if you pass an increased number of clots in a day, then it is best to discuss with your physician.

Heavy bleeding

Heavy bleeding means you need to change your pad or tampon more often than every two hours. It can cause clots to be bigger and require you to speak with a healthcare provider.

Pain

If your periods are excessively painful, beyond what they usually are and keeping you from participating in your regular activities, it may be caused by the clots and something else severe and needs to be looked at by a doctor.

Long cycles

If your menstrual cycle takes over 7 days regularly, or if you feel there is a significant variation in how long your cycle is, you should visit a doctor.

Breathlessness and fatigue

These could be symptoms of anemia and could be happening if you are losing excessive blood at the time of menstruation. Anemia can be checked by a doctor through a simple blood test.

Treatment and care of heavy clotting at menstruation

It can be cured and treated in many different methods depending upon the cause.

1. Medications

Hormonal treatments: If you talked with a doctor, and they advised birth control pills or hormonal IUD's, this can help balance your hormones and reduce heavy bleeding and clotting.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): If your life is influenced by heavy bleeding and pain, medicines like ibuprofen can lessen it.

2. Diet and exercise

Dietary adjustments: Iron and vitamin-containing foods combat anemia caused by excessive blood loss. Besides this, a healthy diet keeps your health in all possible ways.

Regular exercise: Regular exercise can improve your menstrual health and reduce symptoms, including excessive clotting.

3. Surgical Options

Some might require changes in lifestyle and medications as a treatment. For clots due to adenomyosis and fibroids, physicians might suggest surgery. This could include fibroid removal or uterine-related surgery in very severe situations.

4. Natural Remedies

Others seek comfort by trying natural methods such as putting heat on the pain with heat packs and supplements* such as omega-3 oils to reduce blood loss. 

*You should consult your doctor first before taking supplements. 

Remember, it’s absolutely normal to have clots at times when you’re on your menstrual cycle, but if they’re larger and/or pain a great deal more than they typically do, you might want to talk to your doctor. They can figure out if something’s amiss and suggest how you might treat or deal with it. Anything from dietary adjustments to possibly taking medication and in some cases surgery can be an option to treat excessive menstrual clots. Don’t hesitate to seek advice because you deserve to feel healthy and comfortable each and every day of the month.