Period with clots is it normal

So clots of tissue are usually nothing to be concerned about. But if you notice large or frequent clots, talk to your health care provider to make sure your period is normal. You also mention that your periods are heavy. Blockages may occur as a result of growths in the uterus. These include uterine polyps and fibroids , which are not cancerous but can cause other health issues without proper management. Uterine polyps and fibroids consist of either endometrial or muscular tissue that grows in the uterine wall.

They can cause symptoms such as:. Endometriosis is a condition that causes the tissues of the uterine lining to grow outside of the uterus. This abnormality can lead to several symptoms, which may be worse around the time of menstruation. This can make the endometrial lining and uterine wall much thicker, which can lead to a much heavier flow during a period.

If the levels of specific hormones become unbalanced, many issues can occur, including heavy menstruation or clotting. During a miscarriage, or pregnancy loss, a person will usually pass a number of large clots, depending on the stage of the pregnancy. Pregnancy loss can sometimes occur before a person knows that they are pregnant, so they may mistake an early miscarriage for a regular menstrual cycle.

An enlarged uterus can also be due to structural issues, such as fibroids. There will be additional space for the blood to pool in, which could lead to further clotting before it exits the body. Some bleeding disorders may be responsible for heavy menstrual flow, as they can affect the coagulation proteins that the uterine lining needs to stop menstrual bleeding.

People who are experiencing very heavy menstrual bleeding or have clots larger than a quarter in their menstrual blood should see a doctor, especially if they have any of the signs or symptoms of the conditions mentioned above.

A person with heavy menstruation may have to change their pad, tampon, or menstrual cup more than once every 2 hours for part of their period. They may also need two pads at a time and may miss out on everyday activities due to their menstrual flow. People with very heavy periods have a higher risk of iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia occurs when there are fewer red blood cells in the body than usual.

Low iron levels can cause this because the body needs iron to make new healthy blood cells. To diagnose the cause of abnormal menstrual clots, a doctor may ask about signs and symptoms, order blood or imaging tests, carry out a physical examination, or a combination of these.

Doctors may advise taking an iron supplement if they believe that someone is losing too much blood or may be at risk of anemia. Most blood clots during a period are normal, but if you experience large blood clots and notice changes in your period, it may be time to talk to a doctor.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. During menstruation, the hormones in your body cause the lining of your uterus to begin shedding. During that process, small blood vessels bleed. 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. Shoupe D. The progestin revolution: Progestins are arising as the dominant players in the tight interlink between contraceptives and bleeding control.

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