Why is my period clots

Start tracking today. Menstrual blood clots are normal on the heaviest days of your period. If your menstrual bleeding is heavy and your clots are larger than about the size of a quarter, it's a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider. You typically know your period has begun when you see a little, or a lot, of blood in your underwear.

At some points during menstruation you may notice clumps or chunks of blood on your collection methods or in your underwear. Well, what are they? The shedding of your uterine lining your endometrium will typically have a varying flow volume that gradually, or suddenly, increases.

Menstrual bleeding also varies in duration, color from old or new blood , and texture. Period blood texture varies as a result of shedding endometrial tissue that can come out as blood clots. An average period sheds about 2 to 3 tablespoons 35 to 40 milliliters of blood and tissue.

Noticing clots or clumps, especially on the heaviest days, is normal. Menstrual blood clots are distinct from venous blood clots the kind discussed in relation to hormonal birth control. Blood clots are the result of coagulation —the process of making fluid blood to a semi-solid or solid state.

Some forms of birth control, like non-hormonal IUDs, can cause heavier-than-normal periods and clots in some women. If you have an IUD and are experiencing heavy clotting and bleeding, talk to your doctor about your symptoms to find out if this is the right form of birth control for you. Like birth control, there are many over-the-counter and prescribed medications that can contribute to heavy periods with clots. Anti-inflammatory medications, hormonal medications like estrogen and progestins and anticoagulants can contribute to abnormal menstrual flow and bleeding.

In the initial stages of pregnancy, if there is a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy which is when a fetus begins to form outside of the uterus , it can oftentimes be confused for a heavier-than-usual period clot. An early loss of a pregnancy can lead to larger-than-usual blood clots as well. Endometriosis results when tissues that normally grow inside of your uterus develop outside of the uterine cavity.

This can cause heavy clotting and bleeding during your cycle, abdominal pain and severe cramps. According to the CDC, other menorrhagia symptoms include:.

The reason why all of this matters other than making your life borderline hell during your period : Having heavy, drawn-out bleeding can lead to anemia, a blood issue that can leave you feeling tired or weak, the CDC says. It can also be a sign of an underlying health condition that requires treatment but more on that in a sec. If your usual is to pass occasional larger clots, then that may simply be your usual, as long as you are not anemic and your quality of life is not affected, she explains.

Still, Dr. Even though a variety of health conditions may cause period clots larger than quarter-size, they usually have other characteristics that give them away. This hormonal disorder can cause incredibly heavy periods, according to the Mayo Clinic, 6 because the hormone imbalance involved can prevent you from menstruating for some time. PCOS can cause irregular periods that may be exceedingly long and heavy when they arrive , hormonal acne , male-pattern baldness, and excess facial or body hair.

Research suggests the condition is also associated with metabolic complications, increasing the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. At this point the general medical consensus is that endometriosis happens when the tissue that lines your uterus endometrium begins to grow on other organs. However, some experts believe there may be other causes behind endometriosis , as SELF previously reported.

One theory is that people with endometriosis grow misplaced tissue that is similar to the endometrium, but that it responds differently to hormones. No matter the cause of endometriosis, frighteningly heavy bleeding is one possible symptom. Endometriosis is also notorious for debilitating pelvic pain, especially during sex or while using the bathroom when you have your period. To prevent your body from losing too much blood, plasma and platelets work together to form blood clots.

Zanotti says. Most menstrual blood clots are normal. At the beginning and the end of your cycle, they may appear bright red. Because your flow is moving quickly, the blood does not have time to darken. You may also see dark red or maroon clots during the first few days of your period when your flow is the heaviest.

Your cervix has to dilate in order to pass larger blood clots. The pain can be strong. If you have a heavy flow and experience cramping, this is partially why you have pain. There are many conditions that can cause someone to have abnormally large blood clots or experience a heavier flow than normal.