SAEDNEWS: Passing blood clots during your period is often a natural phenomenon. However, if these clots are large, frequent, and accompanied by severe pain, they may indicate serious issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or polyps—conditions that require prompt medical evaluation.
According to Saed News Medical Service, citing Behdasht News, passing blood clots during menstruation is a phenomenon every woman experiences during her reproductive years. While these clots might raise alarm bells, in most cases, passing clots with menstrual blood is completely normal—even when the clots are quite large. However, it is important to know when these clots may indicate a serious problem.
Naturally, blood produces anticoagulant factors that maintain its consistency and prevent clotting. Sometimes, when menstrual flow is heavy, these anticoagulant factors don’t have enough time to act, resulting in the formation of clots. This occurrence is normal during menstruation.
Blood clots become concerning when they are larger than a woman’s fist, occur excessively throughout the entire menstrual cycle, persist after menstruation, or are accompanied by pain.
PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder in women. Women with PCOS experience an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal disruption can cause unusually heavy menstrual bleeding, often passing as clots.
Endometriosis occurs when the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus. This tissue behaves like the uterine lining and bleeds during menstruation. It can exit as small pieces resembling large clots, causing painful periods.
Uterine fibroids are common during childbearing years, affecting roughly one in five women. These noncancerous growths develop inside the uterine cavity or within the uterine walls. Fibroids can start so small they are only visible under a microscope, but they gradually grow. Multiple fibroids can develop, and they are highly sensitive to estrogen. During menstruation, rising hormone levels can cause fibroids to enlarge, leading to heavy bleeding with large clots.
Polyps are fibroid-like growths that develop in the inner lining of the uterus. When large, they can partially block menstrual flow, accelerating clot formation.
Other conditions that disrupt hormonal balance can also cause menstrual clots. These include sudden weight changes, long-term steroid use, menopause-related hormone changes, or the use of prescribed hormones for fertility or other reproductive issues.
During pregnancy, the uterus enlarges to accommodate the growing baby. After childbirth, it contracts to return to its normal size. If the uterus does not contract properly, blood can accumulate and clot, which may later appear as large clots during menstruation.
Large, regular blood clots accompanied by painful cramping should be taken seriously, and a doctor should be consulted to address any underlying issues.
