Menstrual clots are a mixture of blood cells, tissue from the lining of the uterus, and proteins in the blood that help regulate its flow. Some medical conditions can cause large blood clots, often alongside heavy menstrual bleeding or period pains.
Polyps and Fibroids
Uterine polyps that grow on the cervix or in the lining of the uterus can also be a factor in heavy clotting. If you're experiencing heavy bleeding, large blood clots during your period or lower back pain, it could be a uterine obstruction like a fibroid.
What does a decidual cast look like? A decidual cast is usually red or pink. It's made up of tissue, mucus and blood and looks “fleshy” like a piece of raw red meat. It may look similar to a clot you'd see during your period, except it's much larger and has a slightly different texture.
Menstrual clots resemble pieces of mashed-up red fruit. They can be bright red or burgundy and may vary in size. They are usually mixed with liquid blood. The longer the blood stays inside the uterus, the darker it is in color, and the likelier it is to form clots.
Size Matters
Some clots, however, should be considered red flags. A large clot, about the size of a golf ball, is a cause for concern and should send you to your doctor immediately for a checkup.
It is normal for a woman to experience having at least one ruptured cyst a month because during a normal menstrual cycle, the ovaries produce a cyst that intentionally ruptures to release an egg, allowing the woman to become pregnant.
The clots that are passed are dark red and look like jelly. They might have what looks like a membrane inside, which is part of the placenta. The sac will be inside one of the clots. At this time, the developing baby is usually fully formed but still tiny and difficult to see.
Increased or abnormal grey vaginal discharge can indicate certain changes in your body chemistry or the presence of disease. Grey-colored discharge is not typical of normal vaginal discharge, and usually suggests an infection such as bacterial vaginosis, or other issues.
These clots are usually small, dark-red, and about the size of a quarter or smaller. They may be accompanied by tissue that appears grayish-white. However, if you regularly experience blood clots that are large in size, bright red in color, or accompanied by severe pain, you should speak to your doctor.
You will typically have clots the size of a quarter during your period.
What Do Blood Clots Look Like With Endometriosis? Endometriosis blood clots may appear as dark or bright red clumps or blobs in menstrual flow. The clots can vary in size and texture, ranging from small and grainy to larger and more jelly-like in consistency.
With endometriosis, the endometrial-like tissue acts as endometrial tissue would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. But because this tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form.
People may worry if they notice clots in their menstrual blood. however, blood clots during a period are normal and rarely a cause for concern. Menstrual clots are a mixture of blood cells, tissue from the lining of the uterus, and proteins in the blood that help regulate its flow.
Blood may look black if it sat in the uterus or vagina for a while. This can happen at the beginning or end of a period or could be related to a blockage. Very dark, heavy bleeding that looks gritty or has a lot of clumps could be a sign of a miscarriage or another condition (3).
If you notice brown period blood at the start or end of your period, it's because the blood is older and took longer to leave your uterus. The uterine lining darkens the longer it takes to leave the body.
The expelled tissue usually resemble large blood clots. Depending on the point at which the pregnancy stopped developing, the expelled tissue could range in size from as small as a pea to as big or bigger than an orange. The gestational sac may also be discernible.
It is not always possible to tell the difference. Signs that a person may be experiencing pregnancy loss, as opposed to menstruation, include: Lower abdominal cramping: Cramps are also common with periods, but during pregnancy loss, there may be strong muscle contractions and pain in the lower back and pelvis.
It can be light pink or red, brown or black and grainy, or even look just like a normal period. If the loss occurs early in your pregnancy, there may be minimal clotting, but the farther the pregnancy has progressed, clots might be denser and larger and you might notice tissue that you don't normally see with a period.
A ruptured ovarian cyst may trigger sudden pain or discomfort in your low back or belly, especially on the side where the cyst burst. The pain may be sharp or feel like a continuous dull pressure, and the severity can vary significantly based on many factors, including the size of the cyst.
Ovarian cysts can also lead to problems with the menstrual cycle, such as heavy or irregular periods, or spotting (abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods). Menstrual cycle problems occur if the cyst produces sex hormones that cause the lining of the womb to grow more.
Even the smallest fibroids can cause large blood clots during your period and heavy bleeding.
When a fibroid bursts, it causes acute blood loss that may become life-threatening. If you have ruptured fibroid symptoms and experience sudden abdominal pain, immediately see a medical professional.