If you’re a woman who experiences period blood clots, you may be wondering if this is normal. It’s natural to feel concerned when you see blood clots in your underwear or on the toilet paper after using the bathroom during your period. So, what do these blood clots mean? Are they a sign of something more serious, like uterine fibroids? In this blog post, we will discuss what is normal for a menstrual period and explain how uterine fibroids can cause period blood clots.
What is normal?
A menstrual period is considered normal if it lasts for three to seven days, with moderate to heavy bleeding occurring for the first two to three days. Menstrual blood flow consists of blood and tissue shed from the lining of the uterus. As the uterine lining sheds, small blood vessels are also ruptured, causing some blood clots to form. If you have ever experienced a paper cut, you know that when your blood clots it forms a little scab. In the same way, when your uterine lining sheds, some blood will clot to form a scab in order to stop the bleeding. This is perfectly normal and nothing to be concerned about.
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. These may be signs of a more serious condition, like uterine fibroids.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. They are also known as leiomyomas or myomas. Fibroids can vary greatly in size, from being as small as a seed to as large as a melon. It’s estimated that up to 80% of women will develop fibroids at some point in their lives, though not all women will experience symptoms.
Fibroids can cause heavy bleeding and large blood clots during your period because they can distort and block the blood flow from your uterus. When this happens, it takes your body longer to shed the uterine lining, which leads to heavier bleeding. The larger the fibroid, the greater the chance of it causing heavy bleeding and large blood clots.
In addition to heavy bleeding and large blood clots, other symptoms of uterine fibroids can include:
- Anemia (low iron levels due to heavy bleeding)
- Fatigue
- Pelvic pain
- Frequent urination
- Constipation
- Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
- Pain during sex
- Leg pain or swelling
- Backache or pressure in the pelvic area
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor. They will be able to determine if the cause is uterine fibroids or something else. Fibroids can be diagnosed with a pelvic exam, ultrasound, or MRI. If your doctor suspects that you have fibroids, they may refer you to a fibroid specialist for further evaluation and treatment.
How are uterine fibroids treated?
Fortunately, there are a number of effective treatments for fibroids. These include:
- Medications: There are a number of different medications that can be used to treat fibroids, including hormonal contraceptives, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists.
- Surgery: Fibroids can be removed surgically. This can be done through a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) or myomectomy (removal of the fibroids).
- Embolization: This is a minimally invasive procedure in which the blood supply to the fibroids is cut off, causing them to shrink.
In Conclusion
In this blog post, we have discussed what is normal for a menstrual period and explained how uterine fibroids can cause period blood clots. We have also discussed other symptoms that one should look out for to determine if the cause is fibroids. If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to fibroids, it is important to see a doctor so that the cause can be properly diagnosed and treated. Fibroid specialists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of fibroids and can provide you with the care you need to manage your condition.
