Clots in your period? You're one of the 70% of women affected... But when should you be concerned? 🩸 Behind these red or black lumps sometimes hide important messages from your body. Excess estrogen, fibroids, or even endometriosis, we untangle the normal from the pathological, with shocking figures and concrete solutions.
Ready to decipher this secret language? 👇
🔍 The essentials to remember
- Small clots (less than 2,5 cm) are usually normal during heavy periods
- Larger or very frequent clots may signal an underlying problem
- A sudden change in the taille or the frequency of clots warrants a medical consultation
Menstrual Clots: What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You
Every month, your body sheds the uterine lining in preparation for a possible pregnancy. This process, although natural, can be accompanied by the formation of blood clots that vary from taille from a pea to that of a coin, sometimes larger. Their gelatinous texture and color ranging from bright red to dark brown can be surprising, even worrying.
These clots form when blood builds up in the uterus or vagina faster than it can be drained. A study published in the Journal of Women's Health in 2022 explains that blood naturally contains anticoagulants, but when the flow is too abundant, these substances do not have enough time to act, which leads to the formation of clots.
Dr. Jennifer Ashton, a renowned ob-gyn, explains: "Menstrual clots are usually composed of a mixture of blood, cells from the uterine lining, and naturally occurring proteins in the blood that help with clotting."
Mechanics of Coagulation: Why Your Blood Forms Clots
Clotting is a fundamental protective process. When blood vessels in the uterine wall rupture during menstruation, the body immediately activates its defense system: platelets and clotting factors come into action to limit blood loss.
According to research published in Fertility and Sterility, it's the balance between procoagulant and anticoagulant factors that determines whether or not clots form during your period. This balance can be influenced by many factors, such as hormones, blood flow rate, and even your hydration.
The 7 Main Causes of Menstrual Clots
Clots during menstruation can be linked to various causes, some benign, others requiring medical attention:
- Uterine fibroids - These benign tumors affect up to 80% of women before the age of 50 according to the Mayo ClinicThey can cause a significant increase in menstrual flow and the formation of clots.
- Uterine polyps - These generally benign growths can disrupt the uterine wall and cause irregular bleeding accompanied by clots.
- Hormonal imbalances - Abnormal fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can cause excessive thickening of the endometrium, leading to heavy periods with clots when it is shed.
- Endometriosis - This condition, which affects approximately 10% of women of childbearing age, can cause heavy bleeding with significant clots.
- Coagulation disorders - Diseases such as von Willebrand disease affect the blood's ability to clot normally and can cause prolonged bleeding with clots.
- dehydration - A study from the University of Birmingham has shown that insufficient hydration can concentrate blood and promote the formation of clots.
- Naturally heavy menstrual flow (menorrhagia) - About 30% of women naturally have heavy periods, which increases the chances of clots forming.
Metrorrhagia: When Clots Are Accompanied by Heavy Bleeding
Metrorrhagia, the medical term for abnormally heavy uterine bleeding, is often accompanied by significant clots. Research published in the British Journal of Haematology indicates that women suffering from metrorrhagia lose more than 80ml of blood per cycle, compared to an average of 30-40ml in other women.
This condition can result from hormonal imbalances, especially when the cycle becomes irregular. Causes such as endometriosis or benign ovarian tumors can also cause these hormonal disruptions and the resulting bleeding.
Chronic stress and certain lifestyle changes can also play a significant role. A Harvard University study showed that stress elevates cortisol levels, disrupting the hormonal balance responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle.
Pregnancy & Clots: A Situation to Monitor Closely
Pregnancy naturally increases the risk of blood clots. Hormone levels, particularly estrogen, increase significantly during this time, making blood more likely to clot.
An article published in The New England Journal of Medicine points out that the risk of venous thromboembolism increases fivefold during pregnancy. These clots can form in the deep veins, usually in the legs, and potentially migrate to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
Warning symptoms to watch for during pregnancy include:
- One-sided swelling of one leg
- Localized pain or tenderness
- A feeling of warmth in the affected area
- Abnormal redness or discoloration of the skin
Important: If you experience any of these symptoms during your pregnancy, consult a healthcare professional immediately. Blood clots during pregnancy require urgent medical attention to protect your health and that of your baby.
7 Effective Strategies to Reduce Menstrual Clots
Although the formation of clots during menstruation can have various causes, certain approaches can help reduce their frequency and severity. A study published in the Journal of Gynecological Endocrinology has shown that dietary and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce symptoms associated with heavy menstruation:
- Enrich your diet with iron - Iron deficiency affects up to 60% of women with heavy periods. Eat more spinach, lentils, and lean meats to support red blood cell production.
- Supplement with iron if necessary - A Finnish study showed that iron supplementation reduced the volume of menstrual bleeding by 25% in anemic women.
- Integrate omega-3s - These fatty acids found in oily fish, flax and chia seeds have natural anticoagulant properties that can thin the blood.
- Optimize your hydration - Drinking at least 2 liters of water per day improves blood fluidity and reduces the risk of thick clots forming.
- Explore specific herbal teas - Sweet clover and nettle are recognized for their fluidifying properties in traditional medicine and in some preliminary clinical studies.
- Integrate magnesium - This mineral helps limit excessive clotting and effectively relieves menstrual cramps, as demonstrated by a study published in the Journal of Women's Health.
- Reconsider your contraception - Some hormonal contraceptive methods can help regulate menstrual flow and reduce clot formation. Discuss your options with your gynecologist.
