Some women experience high levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone. This can cause the uterine lining to thicken. When a thick uterine lining sheds during menstruation, women might experience heavier blood flows and larger blood clots.
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.
If you need to change your tampon or pad after less than 2 hours or you pass clots the size of a quarter or larger, that is heavy bleeding. If you have this type of bleeding, you should see a doctor. Untreated heavy or prolonged bleeding can stop you from living your life to the fullest. It also can cause anemia.
It's perfectly normal to notice some clumps from time to time during your period. These are blood clots that may contain tissue. As the uterus sheds its lining, this tissue leaves the body as a natural part of the menstrual cycle. So clots of tissue are usually nothing to be concerned about.
Whether or not you can “feel” the blood coming out depends on how heavy your flow is, and whether you are wearing a tampon or a pad. When you wear a tampon, you shouldn't be able to feel anything coming out, regardless of how heavy the flow is.
Menstrual clots are gel-like blobs of coagulated blood, tissue, and blood that're expelled from the uterus during menstruation. They resemble stewed strawberries or the clumps of fruit you may sometimes find in jam, and vary in color from bright to dark red.
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.
The researchers found that low levels of iron in the blood were a strong risk factor for blood clots. Patients who took iron supplements did not have higher risk, suggesting that treatment for iron deficiency can prevent blood clots.
Changing your pad every 3 or 4 hours (more if your period is heavy) is good hygiene and helps prevent bad odors. This is especially true if you'll be playing sports or rushing around from class to class. Changing pads often also helps prevent accidental leaks.
Heavy periods aren't usually life-threatening, but they can be if you lose too much blood. Bleeding through two or more tampons or pads each hour for two hours in a row is a sign that you should see your provider or seek emergency care immediately.
When periods are very heavy or you are experiencing “flooding” or passing big clots you have what doctors call menorrhagia .
The blood is a healthy red colour
Menstrual blood that is a crimson red colour without the presence of clots or mucus occurs when there is adequate blood flow within the uterus. Dark, purple or brown blood and the presence of clots indicates poor uterine circulation.
Some types are related to vitamin deficiencies. But a type of anemia that's common with heavy periods is iron deficiency anemia. Heavy periods lead to blood loss over a long time.
Vitamin K helps to make various proteins that are needed for blood clotting and the building of bones. Prothrombin is a vitamin K-dependent protein directly involved with blood clotting.
One sign of an abnormal blood clot is that it is the size of a quarter or larger. (Normal period blood clots are about the size of a dime.)
Some women experience high levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone. This can cause the uterine lining to thicken. When a thick uterine lining sheds during menstruation, women might experience heavier blood flows and larger blood clots.
If an ovarian cyst ruptures, it can cause bleeding and blood clots. Ovarian cysts can also cause irregular periods and heavy, painful menstruation. Other hormonal imbalances: Hypothyroidism, perimenopause, and menopause can all cause fluctuations in your menstrual cycle and result in clots.
Mental stress can cause changes in menstrual cycles, which can range from skipped or irregular periods , to heavy menstrual bleeding.
Periods that occur less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart. Missing three or more periods in a row. Menstrual flow that is much heavier or lighter than usual. Periods that last longer than seven days.
Periods can get heavier and more painful for some women after the age of 40. Sometimes it is a nuisance and sometimes it is a cause for concern.
Heavy Flow
Heavy bleeding can sometimes be related to medical conditions or concerns like bleeding disorders, uterine fibroids and uterine polyps. Heavy bleeding with an irregular pattern may indicate a thyroid or hormone disorder.
The bleeding tends to be heaviest in the first 2 days – but everyone is different. When your period is at its heaviest, the blood will be red. On lighter days, it may be pink, brown or black. You'll lose about 5 to 12 teaspoons of blood during your period although some women bleed more heavily than this.