What Do Menstrual Blood Clots Say About Your Health?
Have you ever noticed gel-like blobs during your period and wondered what they mean?
Let’s break down menstrual blood clots, also known as period clots, to understand their significance, causes, and how to keep track of them.
What Are Menstrual Blood Clots?
Menstrual blood clots, or period clots, are gel-like blobs of coagulated blood, tissue, and other elements expelled from the uterus during menstruation. These clots can vary in size, from small specks to larger clumps, and are formed when blood pools in the uterus and coagulates naturally.
You might notice clots if you’ve been lying down or sitting for a while and then stand up. The change in position can cause the clots to move and either come out immediately or when you go to the bathroom.
Health Implications of Menstrual Blood Clots
While most menstrual blood clots are normal common occurrence and benign, larger or frequent clots can indicate underlying health issues. Here’s what you need to know:
Normal vs. Abnormal Clots: Small, occasional clots are usually nothing to worry about. They can appear bright red at the beginning and end of your cycle when the flow is moving quickly. However, larger clots (bigger than a quarter) that occur frequently could signal an underlying health issue [1].
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB): Menstrual clots are often associated with HMB, which can be a symptom of underlying health issues. If you're soaking through your pad or tampon every hour and passing large clots, this could indicate heavy menstrual bleeding, which can lead to iron deficiency and anemia. Frequent large clots and heavy bleeding can be symptoms that require medical evaluation [2][3].
Interesting fact: Research shows that women with HMB tend to form looser blood clots that break down more quickly, which might contribute to bleeding disorders. This is thought to be linked to lower levels of tissue pasminogen activator antigen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen… and not because of differences in coagulation factors or platelet aggregation [4].
Association with Other Disorders
Menstrual blood clots can be associated with various other menstrual disorders, including:
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB): Women on blood-thinning medications for conditions like blood clots may experience abnormal menstrual bleeding, including blood clots [5].
Bleeding Disorders: Some bleeding disorders can increase the likelihood of heavy menstrual bleeding and larger blood clots [6].
Pain and Menstrual Blood Clots
The process of passing large blood clots can be painful because your cervix needs to dilate to allow the clots to pass through. This dilation can cause significant cramping and discomfort, especially if you have a heavy flow.
Cramps and Pain: If you have a heavy flow and experience intense cramping, this is partially due to the cervix dilating to pass big clots. The pain can be quite strong and may require management with over-the-counter pain relievers or other pain management techniques.
Seek Help if Needed: If the pain becomes unbearable or is accompanied by other symptoms like excessive bleeding or fatigue, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider.
How to Track Menstrual Blood Clots
Tracking your menstrual blood clots can provide valuable insights into your menstrual health. Here are some practical tips:
Maintain a Menstrual Diary: Record the size and frequency of clots, as well as the number of pads or tampons used. Include details such as the color and consistency of the blood, as these can provide additional insights into your menstrual health.
Use Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Charts (PBACs): These charts help assess menstrual blood loss and the presence of clots. PBACs are standardized tools used by healthcare providers and researchers to quantify menstrual blood loss. By marking the extent of bleeding on a chart, you can more accurately communicate your symptoms to a healthcare provider [1].
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of additional symptoms like severe cramping, fatigue, or changes in your menstrual cycle. Note any patterns or changes over time, as this information can be crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Consult with a healthcare provider if you experience:
Clots larger than a quarter that occur frequently.
Heavy menstrual bleeding lasting more than seven days.
Severe pain or cramping.
Symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath.
Passing golf-ball-sized clots or passing clots every couple of hours, as this can indicate a need for medical consultation.
While the presence of menstrual blood clots is often normal, it can sometimes indicate more serious underlying conditions like uterine abnormalities or endometriosis, which can affect blood clotting and increase the risk of blood clots [12][13]. Understanding the properties and management of menstrual blood clots is crucial for addressing heavy menstrual bleeding and improving women's health outcomes.
Conclusion
Menstrual blood clots, or period clots, are a natural part of the menstrual cycle for many people. By understanding what they are, what they mean for your health, and how to track them, you can take proactive steps to manage your menstrual health and seek help when needed.
References & Further Reading
Magnay, J. L., O'Brien, S., Gerlinger, C., & Seitz, C. (2020). Pictorial methods to assess heavy menstrual bleeding in research and clinical practice: a systematic literature review. BMC Women's Health, 20, 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-020-0887-y
DeLoughery, E., & Samuelson Bannow, B. (2022). Anticoagulant therapy for women: implications for menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program, 2022(1), 467-473. https://doi.org/10.1182/hematology.2022000401
Samuelson Bannow, B. (2020). Management of heavy menstrual bleeding on anticoagulation. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program, 2020(1), 533-537. https://doi.org/10.1182/hematology.2020000138
Piotr, Szczepaniak., Michal, Zabczyk., Anetta, Undas. (2015). Increased plasma clot permeability and susceptibility to lysis are associated with heavy menstrual bleeding of unknown cause: a case-control study.. PLOS ONE, 10(4) doi: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0125069
Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Period Blood Clots: Should You Be Concerned? Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/period-blood-clots-are-they-normal
Healthline. (n.d.). Menstrual Clots: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & More. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/menstrual-clots
