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.)

This article explains what period blood clots are made of, how they form, and signs that they may not be normal and need to be evaluated by a healthcare practitioner.

Normal Period Blood Clots

Your menstrual period starts when hormones trigger your body to shed the endometrium, or lining of the uterus. As the lining sheds, small blood vessels bleed.

To prevent too much blood from being lost, your body forms blood clots. It does so by using a combination of plasma, or the liquid part of blood, and platelets, or tiny blood cells that bind together to form clots.

Mixed into the menstrual blood are also bits of tissue from the uterine lining. Thus, what appears to be a blood clot may actually be a clump of endometrial cells. It can also be a mixture of both.

When your menstrual flow is heavier, blood clots tend to be bigger because there’s a larger amount of blood sitting in the uterus.

In order to pass large blood clots, the cervix has to dilate a bit, causing pain that can be quite intense. This partially explains why, if you have a heavy flow, you’re more likely to have cramping.

Abnormal Period Blood Clots

Menorrhagia refers to heavy menstrual bleeding and menstrual bleeding that lasts more than seven days.

Your flow is considered heavy when you have to change your pad or tampon after less than two hours, or you are passing blood clots that are the size of a quarter or larger.

Depending on your age and medical history, there are many conditions that could be increasing the volume of your menstrual flow and/or causing abnormally large clots to form.

Some of these conditions include:

Cesarean scar: Some individuals may experience abnormal bleeding associated with the scar from their C-section. Hormonal imbalances: Hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perimenopause, and menopause can cause irregular shedding of the uterine lining, resulting in clotting and heavy bleeding. Uterine fibroids: These noncancerous growths in the uterus are common and can cause heavy bleeding. Endometriosis: In this condition, the endometrial tissue in the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, usually onto the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Adenomyosis: This is a condition in which the endometrial tissue in the uterine lining begins to grow into the uterine wall, often making the uterus larger. Miscarriage: Pregnancy loss can happen very early, sometimes before you even know you’re pregnant. Clotting and bleeding are common symptoms. Ectopic pregnancy: This is a potentially life-threatening situation in which the fetus has implanted outside of the uterus. Cancer in the uterus or cervix: Potential but less likely causes of blood clots.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

See your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

Blood clots are larger than a quarterAn excessive amount of blood clotsMenstrual bleeding that is heavy and requires you to change your tampon or pad every couple of hoursBleeding lasts longer than seven daysExtreme abdominal pain with nausea or vomiting

Diagnosis of Underlying Conditions

If you see a healthcare provider about period blood clots, they will begin their evaluation by asking you some questions that can help guide their next steps:

How long does your period last? How heavy is your usual flow? Have you noticed changes in your flow over time? What size are the clots? Have you been pregnant before? Have you ever had pelvic surgery? Do you use birth control and, if so, what kind? What medications are you on?

If the clots seem abnormal or there isn’t an obvious cause, they will perform a pelvic exam. They may also want to do some tests to figure out what might be causing your blood clots.

Tests

A healthcare practitioner may order a number of tests as they work to confirm whether your period blood clots are nothing to worry about or if they are a sign of a medical condition.

Tests used as part of the diagnosis process can include:

Blood tests: A blood test can be done to look at your thyroid function and to check for a hormonal imbalance, anemia, or an issue with how your blood clots. Pap test: Cells are taken from the cervix and examined to see if any changes might be the cause of heavy bleeding and/or clots. Ultrasound: This painless procedure uses sound waves to monitor blood flow and check for problems like fibroids or endometriosis. Endometrial biopsy: In this procedure, tissue samples of the uterine lining are removed and evaluated to look for abnormal cells. You may feel some cramping while the procedure is done. Sonohysterogram: To examine your uterine lining, your healthcare provider will inject fluid into the uterus through a tube that is inserted through the vagina and cervix. During the procedure, you may feel some cramping or pressure. Hysteroscopy: Your healthcare provider will insert a thin scope with a light to examine the uterus in detail. This can help diagnose polyps, or abnormal tissue growths, and fibroids. Computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Whereas an MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create a picture of the uterus, a CT is more similar to an X-ray. Both are painless.

Treatment for Abnormal Period Blood Clots

Treatment for abnormal period blood clots may include iron supplements, contraception and other medications, and—in some cases—surgery.

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Your treatment will depend on a number of factors, including:

What’s causing your large blood clots and/or heavy bleedingHow severe the clots and bleeding areWhether or not other painful symptoms accompany your periodYour age and plans for reproduction

Iron Supplements

Prolonged, heavy menstrual bleeding is a common cause of anemia in assigned females of reproductive age. In fact, one study found that 63.4% of individuals who experienced menorrhagia also had anemia.

Anemia can make you feel tired, weak, dizzy, and lightheaded, among other symptoms. To treat the condition, your healthcare provider may prescribe iron tablets or supplements to restore iron levels in your blood.

Iron supplementation will not make your period lighter. However, it can remedy the symptoms of anemia and help you replace healthy red blood cells.

Contraceptives

Certain contraceptives may reduce your menstrual blood flow and control irregular bleeding. In particular, healthcare providers may suggest hormonal IUDs or birth control pills.

Two forms of oral contraceptives are used to control heavy bleeding: combination birth control and progesterone-only birth control. Combination birth control pills containing both estrogen and progesterone can reduce your menstrual blood flow by up to 77%.

A progesterone-only pill or injection like norethindrone (also known as norethisterone) can decrease menstrual blood flow by more than 80%. Norethindrone is considered the most commonly used progesterone-only oral contraceptive.

Another option is a hormonal IUD like Mirena, which has been shown to reduce menstrual blood flow by up to 95% after one year of use. That said, you may have irregular bleeding and spotting during the first six months or more.

Ibuprofen

Taken during your period, Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) can reduce pain, cramping, and the amount of bleeding you have by up to 49%.

Advil and Motrin both fall under the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). But not all NSAIDs function the same exact way.

Although aspirin is another NSAID used to treat pain and inflammation, taking it can actually increase your menstrual flow.

Hormonal Therapy

Progesterone, estrogen, or a combination of the two can help reduce bleeding. These can be found in contraceptives, but healthcare practitioners can also prescribe hormones in doses that are not specifically tailored for birth control.

The main difference between those two options? You can still conceive while taking hormonal therapy.

Antifibrinolytic Medicine

Antifibrinolytic medicines like Lysteda (tranexamic acid) or Amicar (aminocaproic acid) can help reduce bleeding. Lysteda can reduce your menstrual flow by up to 58%.

The specific function of antifibrinolytic medication is to slow fibrinolysis—a term that refers to the process of breaking down blood clots.

Surgical Treatment

Surgical treatment may be an option for you when you need to have polyps or fibroids removed. Your healthcare provider may also recommend surgery if medication isn’t helping you or is contraindicated for any reason.

Surgical options include:

Operative hysteroscopy: This can be used to remove fibroids or the uterine lining, or to fix problems in the uterus. Endometrial ablation or resection: These procedures remove or destroy all or part of the uterine lining to lessen or stop your periods. They also prevent you from having children. Laparoscopy: This minimally invasive surgery can be used to remove small uterine fibroids and growths with a small surgical incision in your abdomen. Myomectomy: If your fibroids are large, you may need a myomectomy, which involves a larger incision in your abdomen. Hysterectomy: In this surgery, the uterus is removed, which means you won’t have periods anymore and you will not be able to conceive. This option is considered when medications haven’t helped and/or you are still a long way from menopause.

Summary

In general, period blood clots aren’t something to worry about. But if you believe you have menorrhagia, your periods are irregular, or you are concerned about painful cramps or other symptoms, go ahead and schedule a visit with your healthcare provider.

Period blood clots, especially if they are large, can be a sign of an underlying condition that requires evaluation and treatment.