Are blood clots normal during your period?
Many of us have periods, but that doesn’t mean we all have the same experiences. There can be lots of variation between your periods and those of a friend or family member - you might have different flows; you might have a longer or shorter period than them; and your menstrual cycle as a whole might be a different length.
As a result, it can sometimes be tricky to know whether any given part of your experience is just another example of natural variation or whether it’s something to be concerned about. Plus, you might feel reluctant to see a doctor just on the off chance that it’s a problem - so what should you do?
Well, if you have any concerns about your menstrual health, it really is the best option to get the advice of a medical professional such as your GP. You could also speak to a pharmacist or a practitioner at a sexual health clinic if that’s easier for you. In the long term, it can help to learn more about what is and isn’t considered normal during the menstrual cycle so you can understand your body better.
Below, we’ll discuss what it means to pass blood clots in your period, and when you should get medical attention to deal with them.
Is it normal to have clots in your period blood?
The simple answer is that, yes, it is normal to pass blood clots as part of your period. This is because the bleeding processes involved in menstruation have similarities with other types of bleeding, such as from a wound.
Remember the last time you had a paper cut? It probably bled for a short while, then stopped as the wound began to heal. Part of this healing process is a clot forming over the inside of the wound, effectively blocking any more blood loss.
The same thing happens during your period. If an egg has not been fertilised and implanted into the lining of the womb, that lining starts to break down. When it does so, bleeding occurs, which clot up like any other wound. As the lining starts to heal, these clots are then broken down as they’re no longer needed, and the fragments of these clots can pass with the rest of your menstrual blood.
Those of us who experience heavy periods (menorrhagia) often pass blood clots in our periods - in fact, self-reporting large (the size of a 10p coin) blood clots is considered one of the indicators of heavy menstrual bleeding. Having heavy periods could also mean you pass larger clots than others.
When to worry about blood clots in your period
While it’s normal to pass some blood clots during your period , there are some circumstances where it could be a sign of a deeper problem. As we’ve mentioned, large period blood clots are sometimes associated with heavy menstrual bleeding, which can itself be a condition that has a big impact on your life.
Generally, the advice is that if you’re concerned about your periods or some aspect of them - such as passing blood clots, for example - is impacting your day-to-day life, then it’s time to seek medical advice. It might not always be the case that there’s an underlying condition causing your symptoms, but your healthcare provider is the best option to help you find a solution to the problem and feel better quicker. In the case of heavy periods, that might mean a treatment such as Evana® Heavy Period Relief Tablets to help lessen your flow; however, this isn’t suitable for everyone and you should seek the advice of a GP or pharmacist before taking any new medications.
More specifically, you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist about your periods if you’re worried and passing blood clots of 2.5 cm or larger. This is roughly the size of a 10 pence coin - but if you’re not sure whether your clots are that large, you should still make an appointment. The most important thing is to find and resolve any underlying issues and tackle your heavy period symptoms to prevent your periods from getting in the way of your everyday life.
