According to the CDC, “Menorrhagia is one of the most common problems women report to their doctors. It affects more than 10 million American women each year.” Despite heavy bleeding being so prevalent, most women are not aware that they can get help to manage it. Some are too embarrassed to even bring it up. But being open with your doctor about periods is crucial for ensuring accurate diagnoses.

Is heavy menstrual bleeding a concern for you? Are your periods disrupting your everyday life? It may help for you to speak with a gynecologist about treatment options. Read on to learn about what causes blood clots during menstruation, and the possible underlying health implications.

It is normal to pass some period clots during menstruation. Blood clots form when menstrual blood congeals. The uterus sheds menstrual blood through the vagina every month when a woman does not get pregnant. During the flow, the blood can come out as clots. The size of clots may be a small dot, or larger resembling a liver. Generally, blood clots during a woman’s period are not a cause for concern and do not require treatment. But passing large blood clots regularly can signify an underlying health problem.

Period blood clots may form because of:

Anemia

Cervical cancer

Endometriosis

Heavy bleeding

Irregular or infrequent bleeding

Thyroid disease

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Uterine fibroids

Polyps in the cervix or uterus

If you are having a heavier-than-usual period with blood clots, do not panic right away. Every woman’s body expels varying amounts of blood each month. Periods can last anywhere from 5-7 days on average and be a little longer sometimes. Menstrual bleeding can vary from person to person, and from month to month.

But if you experience heavy bleeding long after your period ends, there may be an underlying cause that has not been identified. In addition, you may face unknown health complications if the cause is not identified. Your gynecologist can perform tests to help you identify the reasons you are experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding. These exams give a clear picture of any problems so that the doctor can tailor a treatment plan for you.

Seek medical attention if your period lasts for more than a week, or if it is impacting your daily life. Your doctor will ask some questions to analyze your medical history and figure out what may be causing heavy periods with blood clots. He/she may also look at your cervix, uterus, anus, and vagina to look for unusual signs. If the physical examination or lab results do not provide an apparent reason for the heavy bleeding, the doctor may perform additional testing such as a hysteroscopy, using a microscope to look directly into the uterus lining to check for causes of the heavy bleeding.

Women’s Health New England is a premier women’s health practice in Southeastern Massachusetts. Women from age 18 to 65 plus visit Dr. Julia Edelman when they have irregular periods or general concerns about their wellbeing. Call us at 508-947-0800 if you would like to schedule a gynecologic visit to discuss your questions about heavy periods with blood clots.

Do you want to ensure you can have kids in the future? Do you want to lessen menstrual pain and bleeding each month? Are you concerned that there may be a physical cause of your heavy or irregular or prolonged or abnormal bleeding? Regardless of your priorities, we are here to help. Our staff takes pride in creating personalized treatment plans for our patients depending on the cause and severity of their bleeding.

Dr. Julia Edelman is a Board-Certified Gynecologist and Certified Menopause Clinician who specializes in caring for women ages 18 to 80+. Dr. Edelman is also an accomplished public speaker, educator, and author of two books on women’s health. She is one of the few remaining solo practitioners in Massachusetts. Working with a secretary/office manager and a medical assistant, she sees each patient herself. Dr. Edelman and her staff know their patients by name, and pride themselves on delivering personalized care.