Menstruation is a natural process that happens to most women once a month. During your menstrual period, you experience bleeding, but there may occasionally be abnormal symptoms that could cause concern. For example, menstrual blood clots could indicate an underlying health problem, but there are also cases where it’s completely normal. In this article, we look at the nature of these blood clots and what you can do about them.

“Normal” vs. Abnormal Clots

Menstrual blood clots usually include proteins, cells, and tissue that compose the uterine lining. These clots can vary in size, which is an essential factor to consider when assessing whether they are abnormal.

Based on your experience, you may ask yourself, “Jelly-like blood clots during the period, is it normal?” The consistency of a blood clot is usually not the biggest concern, however, as size is the central factor. Passing small blood clots during your menstrual period is considered relatively normal. However, if they are as big as a grape or larger, you should talk to your doctor immediately.

Menstrual Clots: Key Causes

Menstrual blood clots are often a normal part of your period, but it’s still important to understand how they develop. During your period, your uterine lining sheds, and at times an excess of blood pools in your vagina or uterus. This leads to a process known as coagulation, causing clots to form.

In most cases, these clots only occur during months when your flow is heavy due to excess shedding of the uterine lining. It’s important to note that some women experience clots when they are going through menopause until they stop having periods.

Underlying Factors Contributing to Menstrual Blood Clots

In addition to understanding how menstrual blood clots develop, it’s essential to learn the underlying causes. This could help you to circumvent a potentially serious issue by recognizing the signs of a problem, so you seek medical help immediately.

1. Uterine Obstruction

A uterine obstruction [1] occurs when one of the ureters is blocked, meaning the tubes responsible for carrying waste and fluids from the kidneys to the bladder. This may cause symptoms like pain and fever, infection, and in severe cases, kidney failure and sepsis. A uterine obstruction may lead to a heavier flow, which can cause blood pooling in your uterus or vagina and increases the risk of developing menstrual clots.

2. Fibroids

Fibroids sometimes develop in your uterus or the surrounding area. These are non-cancerous growths consisting of fibrous and muscle tissue, and they vary in size. Fibroids may cause unpleasant symptoms and side effects, but they can also be asymptomatic.

Fibroid growths may cause heavier bleeding during your period, leading to pooling and blood clots before they are expelled from your urethra.

3. Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when uterine tissue begins to grow outside of your uterus. It can cause significant problems like difficulty conceiving, as the additional tissue could make it harder to get pregnant. In addition to impacting fertility, endometriosis is linked to severe pelvic pain.

In some cases, the condition begins with a woman’s first period and can turn into a long-term problem. In some cases, it can cause the growth of excess tissue outside the uterus until menopause. Endometriosis increases your likelihood of developing blood clots during menstruation.

4. Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a condition that occurs when the lining grows into the uterine wall [2]. The lining contains endometrial tissue, while the uterine wall is composed of muscle tissue. When adenomyosis takes place, the endometrial tissue continues to function normally, but you may experience heavier bleeding. The added flow could cause pooling and menstrual blood clots.

5. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalance is another potential cause of menstrual blood clots, and several conditions can lead to this issue. For example, if you have PCOS [3], your estrogen levels may increase, while progesterone levels often decline. This imbalance increases your risk of complications like clots during menstruation. In addition, some women experience a sudden gush of blood during period when their hormones are not balanced.

If you suspect that you have a hormonal imbalance, it’s important to talk to your doctor, who can run tests to determine whether your hormones are within the desired range.

There are several possible treatment options if hormonal imbalance is the cause of your heavy flow and the menstrual blood clots. For example, some people may benefit from taking birth control or getting hormone replacement therapy. If you’re in menopause, most likely HRT will be the recommended treatment. There are also lifestyle changes that can help balance your hormones.

Tips for Managing Heavy Menstrual Periods

If you have a heavy flow during your menstrual period, there are a couple of strategies you can use to ease your symptoms and reduce discomfort. Start by taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication that does not thin your blood to ease the pain and swelling.

In addition, making positive changes to your diet may help relieve your discomfort, and many women find that heat therapy effectively relieves menstrual cramps.

Menopause Nutrients Food

Treatment Options for Menstrual Blood Clots

If your menstrual blood clots are small and there are no serious accompanying symptoms, you usually won’t require any specific treatment. You can take pain medication to help with the discomfort that you experience.

However, if a checkup with your doctor reveals an underlying cause, it’s important to understand your treatment options, as proper treatment of the condition may prevent other potential health complications.

There is no one fixed treatment for everyone because your physician will target the underlying cause of your menstrual blood clots. For example, if you have a hormonal imbalance, your doctor might suggest that you take birth control.

In addition, there are several at-home remedies and strategies that you can try, including making sure that you drink enough water to stay hydrated. Avoid anything that may surge bleeding, especially if you’re already struggling with a heavy flow. For example, some people take aspirin to relieve pain and inflammation. However, it thins the blood, increasing your bleeding.

Increasing your consumption of iron-rich foods may slow heavy bleeding and lower your risk of anemia. In addition, regular exercise is an effective strategy for regulating your periods and reducing menstrual blood clots.

If you suffer from hormonal fluctuations, Menoquil menopause supplement can bring you back into balance and provide your body with key nutrients and antioxidants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PCOS cause blood clots?

Yes, polycystic ovary syndrome can cause blood clots. Studies show that women who have PCOS and take birth control pills have a 200% higher chance [4] of developing blood clots compared to other women.

Why are PCOS periods so heavy?

Heavy periods associated with PCOS are called menorrhagia, and they are caused by the high estrogen and low progesterone levels that are characteristic of the condition.

Why is my period blood jelly-like?

Jelly-like blood during your period is often caused by a blood clot from the uterine lining, and in most cases, it’s not a major concern. However, if you experience other serious symptoms along with the change in blood consistency, make an appointment with your doctor.

Outlook

Some women develop blood clots during their menstrual period, and in many cases, these menstrual blood clots are no concern. However, it’s crucial to understand when the symptoms are more severe and you need medical attention. If you experience heavy bleeding and moderate to severe pain, see a doctor as soon as possible.