Many menstruating women experience blood clots, which makes them wonder, 'is this normal'? If you too are wondering about the same problem, the following article on menstruation blood clots will help clear your doubts.
Menstruation cycle or periods is a monthly cycle experienced by a woman after attaining puberty, till she reaches her menopause. A menstruation cycle is when the uterus sheds the endometrial lining every month. This is because every month an egg is released during ovulation that travels through the fallopian tube and embeds itself in the wall of the uterus awaiting sperms for fertilization and conception. When the egg is not fertilized by the sperm, the body releases the egg along with the endometrial lining. The egg, endometrial lining, blood, fluid, etc., are shed at the end of the cycle and termed as ‘periods’.
Blood Clots During Menstruation
The menstrual blood clots are a part of the whole menstruation process and are termed as a normal occurrence. They are actually the body’s way of naturally controlling the bleeding. This is a very complicated process that helps fibrin to form a matrix.
When the blood pools inside the uterus, it develops clots. If this blood is passed outside in the form of menstruation blood, the formation of clots is less. If the blood is bright red, it has been shed out quickly from the body. The darker the blood color, the longer it will take to come out of the body. This leads to the formation of menstrual blood clots.
Causes
There are many factors that help determine the formation of blood clots during menstruation. They are:
- Large uterus (due to multiple pregnancies)
- The ability of the uterine myometrium to contract
- Adenomyosis (presence of uterus lining outside the uterus) and fibroids
- Smaller diameter of the cervical canal
- Polyps, adhesions, etc., inside the body that obstruct the blood flow
Darker Blood Clots and Thicker Blood Flow
During the heaviest days of bleeding, one may experience bright red or dark-colored clots. If there are multiple clots in the blood, it will lead to a thicker menstrual blood flow. The body releases anticoagulants that help keep the menstrual blood from clotting. If there is heavy bleeding, then the anticoagulants do not have enough time to coagulate the blood. Thus, the blood clots help control the blood flow.
By the end of the periods, one may experience darker or almost black bleeding. This is a normal color change that happens when the older blood is expelled from the body. If you experience temporary heavy blood flow, it is very normal. But if you regularly experience heavy blood flow, you should consult a doctor, as it may lead to long-term problems like anemia, weakness, and fatigue.
Large Blood Clots During Menstruation
If you experience large blood clots during menstruation that are larger than a quarter, you should consult your doctor. Also, frequent blood clots passed during the day are also a cause of concern. If you experience large blood blots during menstruation for the first time, you should consult a doctor and discuss these problems.
If you are pregnant, the clotted blood may indicate a problematic pregnancy such as early ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or other problems associated with pregnancy. If you have had a miscarriage earlier, passing blood clots or gray tissue clumps may be seen. The presence of non-cancerous tumors in the uterus may also lead to heavy periods and more blood clots than usual. Hormonal changes, menopause, and excessive weight change may also cause change in blood flow and lead to blood clotting.
It is very normal for many women to experience menstrual blood clotting as they work in place of anticoagulants. But, if you experience large blood clots which are more in frequency, consult a doctor. Take care of your health as it is your body’s way to help you know something’s just not right.
Disclaimer: This HerHaleness article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
