07 May, 2025

Are Blood Clots Normal During Periods?

Have you ever noticed blood clots in periods and lowkey wonder if that’s supposed to happen? You’re not alone, and nope, it’s not always something to stress about. Here’s the tea- during your period, your body sheds the lining of your uterus. Now, when your flow gets heavier, especially on the first couple of days, the blood can mix with tissue and proteins called fibrin. That’s what forms those jelly-like clots.

Most of the time, blood clots during periods are totally normal, especially if they’re small and only show up when your flow is heavy. But if they’re big, happening all the time, or coming with serious pain, don’t brush it under the rug. It’s better to check with a doctor.

But, before we make any such decisions, let’s understand what causes blood clots.

What Causes Blood Clots During Periods?

Your body sheds the lining of your uterus every month. That’s your period. But when the blood flow gets heavy, your body might not be able to break it all down fast enough. That’s when blood clots in periods show up. Now, let’s talk about why it happens. Because sometimes, it’s not just “meh, normal”- sometimes, there’s more to it.

Fibroids

These are non-cancerous growths inside the uterus. If you have fibroids, they can mess with how your uterus contracts. That means more bleeding and yep, more clots. You’re sitting there thinking, “Why is my pad full every hour?” Fibroids could be playing a role.

Ovarian Cyst

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries. Most are harmless and vanish on their own. But when they act up, they can mess with your hormones and make periods heavier than they should be. That heavy flow = more clots.

Hormonal Imbalance

Your hormones control your period like a DJ controls the music. If estrogen and progesterone aren’t balanced, your uterine lining can get way too thick. When it sheds, you might see large blood clots in periods. It’s your body saying, “Yo, something’s off.”

Adenomyosis

This one’s a tongue twister, but yeah, it hurts like hell. Adenomyosis happens when the inner lining of your uterus grows into the muscle layer. Your periods turn wild- super heavy, full of cramps, and yep, blood clots during periods. If you’re crying on the floor every month, this could be it. BTW, a period pain relief gadget can seriously help with those cramps.

Miscarriage or Abortion

If you’ve recently had a miscarriage or an abortion, your body might pass larger clots as it heals. It’s part of the process, but emotionally and physically, it can be a lot. If something feels off or you’re not sure, talk to someone. No shame in that.

Bleeding Disorders

Some people have blood that doesn’t clot the way it should. So when they bleed, it’s heavier and longer. Clots become a regular guest every month. If your periods are next-level heavy and your doctor’s been side-eyeing your iron levels, it’s worth checking out.

At the end of the day, your body is trying to tell you something. You just gotta listen. Dealing with blood clots during periods can be exhausting. But you’re not alone, and it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Sometimes, all it takes is asking a few questions and getting the right answers.

What Kind of Blood Clot is “Normal” & What’s “Abnormal”?

When it comes to blood clots in periods, most of us have been there- you go to the bathroom and see a little chunk in the pad or toilet, and you’re like, “Umm, what was that?” So let’s clear the air.

Normal clots are usually small. Probably coin-size or smaller. They show up when your flow is heavy, mostly in the first two days. They’re dark red, kinda jelly-like, and don’t happen non-stop. That’s just your body doing its job.

Now, abnormal clots? That’s a different story. If you’re seeing clots bigger than a coin, every few hours, and soaking pads faster than you can keep up, it’s a red flag. Especially if you’re feeling wiped out, dizzy, or in mad pain. That’s not “just a heavy period”, that needs to be checked.

Look, don’t second-guess your gut. If something feels off, say it louder for the people in the back. Blood clots during periods are common, but not all of them are normal. Don’t wait till it hits the fan. Health first, always. And if anyone tells you “just deal with it,” you don’t owe them a single minute of your peace.

Treatment for Blood Clotting During Periods

If you’ve been spotting blood clots during periods and you’re not sure if it’s normal or not, don’t just let it slide. Sometimes it’s nothing serious, but sometimes your body’s trying to tell you something important. No need to panic, but don’t play the guessing game either.

Now, if the blood clots in periods are coming with super heavy bleeding, you might start feeling low-key drained or even straight-up weak. That’s your body waving a red flag. There are natural ways to fight weakness during periods, like iron-rich food, staying hydrated, and getting rest. But if the weakness sticks around and the clotting doesn’t chill out, don’t keep waiting.

Go see a doctor. They’ll probably suggest a few tests or scans just to check what’s up, maybe it’s a hormonal issue, fibroids, or something else. Once they know what’s going on, they’ll help you with the right fix.