Is it normal to have huge clots during period

For example, your periods may be later or longer than usual or you may miss them entirely. According to the March of Dimes, as many as half of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. A heavy menstrual flow could also be caused by von Willebrand disease VWD. While VWD is rare, between 5 and 24 percent of women with chronic heavy menstrual bleeding are affected by it. VWD might be the cause of your heavy menstrual cycle if it occurs regularly and you bleed easily after a minor cut or your gums bleed too easily.

See your doctor if you suspect this is the cause of your heavy bleeding. They should be able to help get you a diagnosis. See your doctor if you regularly have large clots. One of the major complications of heavy menstrual bleeding is iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms include:. To determine the underlying cause of your menstrual clots, your doctor will likely ask you about things that impact menstruation. Additionally, your doctor may use blood tests to look for hormonal imbalances. Imaging tests, such as an MRI or ultrasound , can be used to check for fibroids, endometriosis, or other obstructions.

Hormonal contraceptives can inhibit the growth of the uterine lining. A progestin-releasing intrauterine device IUD may reduce menstrual blood flow by 90 percent , and birth control pills may reduce it by 50 percent.

Hormonal contraceptives also can be beneficial in slowing the growth of fibroids and other uterine adhesions. A dilation and curettage D and C procedure sometimes follows a miscarriage or childbirth.

But it can also be used to determine the underlying cause for heavy menstrual bleeding or as a treatment for various conditions. D and C involves widening the cervix and scraping the uterine lining. The type of surgery will depend on the size and location of the growths. If the growth is large, you may need a myomectomy, which involves making a large incision in your abdomen to access the uterus. If the growth is small, laparoscopic surgery is often possible. Some women may opt to have their uterus removed.

The consistency of menstrual blood varies both throughout the period and from one period to another. People may experience a heavy flow containing menstrual clots one month, and a lighter flow with no clots the next month. As this happens, the body releases proteins that cause the blood in the uterus to coagulate. This coagulation prevents the blood vessels in the uterine lining from continuing to bleed.

When the flow is most substantial, the coagulation proteins within the blood may start to clump together, resulting in menstrual clots. This generally occurs when menstrual blood pools in the uterus or vagina before leaving the body.

Although it is normal to have clots in the blood during menstruation, this symptom can sometimes signal a medical issue.

It is advisable to seek medical advice if the clots:. A blockage in the uterus may stop it from contracting as it should, meaning that it cannot force the blood out as quickly as usual.

The blood will leave the body more slowly so it will have more time to pool and form clumps. 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. 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.

It can be very painful and hard to diagnose, but several treatments can make this chronic illness more manageable. Another condition that can cause heavy clots and bleeding during your cycle, PCOS, is a common hormone imbalance.

Follicles form on the ovaries, which fail to release eggs regularly, resulting in irregular periods. Blood clots during menstruation: A concern? Products and services. Is it normal to pass large blood clots during menstruation?

Answer From Sandhya Pruthi, M. With Sandhya Pruthi, M. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Menstrual cycle. Office on Women's Health. Accessed Feb. Dart R. Approach to the adult with vaginal bleeding in the emergency department. Abnormal uterine bleeding: Premenopausal women.