Heavy periods with clots: possible causes

Natural causes of clot formation in menstrual flow

Normal menstrual discharge has a mucous consistency and is dark red in color. Sometimes you can notice small lumps in them, which are clotted blood or particles of the epithelium of the uterine cavity.

If there are few of them, and the volume of menstruation does not exceed 80-100 ml, then, most likely, the formation of clots is caused by natural causes. Normal menstruation lasts no more than 5-6 days and is not overly painful, and the discharge does not have an unpleasant odor.

The appearance of clots in normal discharge can occur in the following cases:

In the uterine cavity there are adhesions and scars that interfere with the outflow of mucus and menstrual blood. Stagnant blood clots and is sometimes expelled from the uterus in the form of lumps.
There are congenital abnormalities in the shape or position of the uterus (for example, a bent cervix, the presence of septa in the cavity), which contributes to the formation of blood clots.
Blood has increased viscosity (this condition occurs, for example, with insufficient fluid intake, the predominance of protein products in the diet, with diseases of the liver, kidneys, and blood vessels).
A woman sits or lies for a long time. Blood and mucus accumulate and thicken, and when you stand up, there is a heavy discharge with lumps of mucus.
Blood clotting increases as a result of taking medications - coagulants (for nosebleeds, for example) or hormonal drugs. This helps reduce the duration and intensity of bleeding, but leads to the formation of blood clots in the discharge.
A contraceptive device is installed in the uterine cavity, which contributes to the formation of blood clots in menstrual blood.
A woman has an abortion that has just begun (at 1-2 weeks). After a short delay, heavy, long periods appear with clots of unevenly exfoliated endometrium.

The norm is the appearance of lumps during the first menstruation after an abortion, when the discharge may contain remnants of the fertilized egg. The hormonal shift that occurs in the body after abortion and childbirth is the reason that menstruation becomes heavy. Hormones also affect the production of enzymes that regulate blood clotting.

At various periods of a woman’s life, associated with natural changes in hormonal levels (development of the reproductive system, onset of sexual activity, menopause), deviations in the nature of menstruation are also possible. Scanty discharge may alternate with abundant discharge. The appearance of lumps is explained by changes in the structure of the mucous membranes.

Hypothermia, malnutrition, and bad habits contribute to the appearance of deviations in the nature of menstruation.

Addition: Alcohol increases blood viscosity. After its accumulation in the blood, menstruation may contain large blood clots.

Video: Why blood clots form during menstruation

How are menstrual clots treated?

When it comes to how to stop heavy periods and what can be done about clots, the best answer is to control your bleeding with medications and taking care of your health. In rare cases, when it is necessary to remove fibroids, surgical procedures are resorted to. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of all your options for stopping period bleeding.

Hormonal contraceptives suppress the growth of the uterine lining. A progestin-releasing IUD can reduce menstrual blood flow by 90 percent, while birth control pills can reduce menstrual blood flow by 50 percent.

For women who cannot or do not want to use hormones, the drug tranexamic acid, which affects blood clotting, is prescribed. Medications that stop heavy period bleeding, such as Ibuprofen, may be sufficient.

Sometimes you may need surgery to get rid of conditions that are causing clots during your period. The cervix is dilated, followed by scraping of the uterine mucosa. This is usually done in an outpatient setting under sedation. Although curettage will not cure heavy bleeding, it does provide a respite for several months as the endometrium then thickens again.

For women with uterine tumors, such as fibroids, that do not respond well to medications, surgery may be necessary to remove them. The type of surgery will depend on the size and location of the lesions.

If the size is large, you will need a myomectomy, which involves a large incision in the abdomen to access the uterus. If the tumor is small, laparoscopic surgery is performed. Laparoscopy also involves making incisions in the abdomen, but they are smaller.

Treat blood loss with extra fluids and salt. Any time you feel dizzy or have a racing heart when you get out of bed, it's a sign that your blood volume is too low. Drink more salty liquids, such as tomato or other vegetable juices, salty broths. Drink four to six cups (1-1.5 liters) of fluid per day.

Start taking one iron tablet (eg 35 mg ferrous gluconate) a day. You should also increase the amount of iron you get from foods - red meat, liver, egg yolks, dark green vegetables and dried fruits such as raisins and prunes are good sources of iron.

Causes of pathological heavy menstruation with clots

Heavy and prolonged bleeding during menstruation can cause iron deficiency anemia. Large blood loss leads to a decrease in hemoglobin levels, that is, to a lack of oxygen supply to the body's cells. Symptoms of this dangerous condition are dizziness and headache, loss of strength, pallor, and decreased blood pressure. This inevitably affects the production of hormones, as well as the functioning of the hematopoietic organs, which leads to disruption of the homogeneity of the composition of menstrual secretions and the appearance of clots in them.

Pathological heavy periods with clots can be a symptom of various hormonal disorders and diseases of the reproductive organs.

Surgery

To treat heavy bleeding caused by uterine fibroids that does not respond to therapeutic treatment, surgery is required. The tumor is removed, and in case of a long-term complicated process, sometimes it is necessary to remove the uterus when the tumor grows over the entire surface of the organ.

Long-term refusal of surgery can lead to a significant decrease in hemoglobin due to heavy periods.

The body does not have time to produce the required amount of red blood cells and fully recover. The tumor may also degenerate into a low-quality one, and the germination of pathological cells into neighboring organs may develop.

Signs of pathology

The fact that heavy periods of heterogeneous consistency are pathological can be judged by the following signs:

In addition to increased blood loss during menstruation, bleeding or brown spotting is observed in between periods.
Menstruation comes too often (cycle duration less than 21 days) or with great delays (later than 35 days). It is possible to alternate long and shortened cycles.
Blood loss is 100-150 ml or more.
The duration of menstruation is 8 or more days.
The blood discharge has a pungent odor and contains impurities of purulent mucus.
Menstruation is accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen.

Only after a gynecological examination and ultrasound will the doctor be able to say what was the cause of heavy periods.

Causes of long, frequent and heavy periods during menopause

As a rule, every woman after 50 years of age experiences menopause, or, as it is also called, menopause. It is characterized by a decrease in the efficiency of the ovaries, disruption of the cycle, followed by its cessation.

During menopause, long and heavy menstruation is not the norm. But not all women know about this.

Prolonged bloody discharge may not be menstruation. And, for example, uterine bleeding. So how to stop heavy periods? Contact a specialist! Only he will prescribe you the right recommendations and treatment.

The causes of bleeding can be different. The most common of them:

Endometritis. Intense menstruation with endometriosis is also accompanied by severe pain.
Uterine fibroids.
Hormonal imbalance during menopause.
Disorders of the thyroid gland.
Endometrial polyps.

Therefore, if you experience heavy periods, you should consult a specialist.

Diseases that cause abnormal periods

The appearance of thick impurities in menstrual discharge may be associated with improper development of the endometrium, which is renewed with each menstrual cycle. The reason for their formation is also damage to tissues and blood vessels, the formation of obstacles to the exit of secretions from the uterus.

Uterine fibroids. This benign tumor develops in the muscles of the uterine wall and can grow towards its outer lining. If it fills the uterine cavity, then various cycle disorders occur. The cause is compression and damage to blood vessels, stretching of the uterus. The tumor blocks the exit from the cavity to the cervix, which leads to the formation of blood clots. Heavy periods with blood clots, as well as an enlarged abdomen and nagging pain below the navel are characteristic signs of fibroids.

Endometrial hyperplasia. The result of hormonal imbalance in the body, as well as damage to the endometrium during abortion or curettage, is a disruption of its development and structure. The mucous membrane thickens, swells, and uneven exfoliation occurs. At the same time, dense particles appear in menstruation. Blood loss from damaged vessels increases.

Endometriosis. The disease is associated with an increase in the volume of the endometrium inside the cavity, its growth into the tubes and ovaries, cervix, and peritoneal area. In this case, all processes of the menstrual cycle are disrupted. Menstruation becomes profuse, comes irregularly, and contains particles of destroyed tissue.

Polyps in the cavity and cervix. These neoplasms are growths on the inner walls. They are easily injured when the endometrium leaves the uterus during menstruation. The volume of bloody discharge increases and contains particles of decaying tissue.

Cervical erosion. Damage to the mucous membranes in the area of the cervical canal and at the entrance to the vagina leads to the appearance of ulcers and microcracks in this area. The cause of cervical erosion is damage during childbirth, abortion, or curettage of the uterine cavity. The wounds may fester. Bacteria easily penetrate the internal genital organs, causing inflammatory processes. All this leads to cycle disruption and the appearance of heavy periods with clots.

Infectious diseases of the genital organs. They lead to the occurrence of inflammatory processes that cause disruption of the structure of the uterine cavity. In addition, microorganisms secrete substances that, when released into the blood, can change its acidity and viscosity. This causes clots to form.

What to do during periods with clots

If there are obvious signs of pathology, then you need to contact a gynecologist. You may need to consult an endocrinologist or oncologist. If the blood loss is too great, there are large clots, and the discharge is bright red, you must call an ambulance. Uterine bleeding can sometimes be stopped only by completely removing the endometrium. It is unacceptable to self-medicate or use home remedies to stop bleeding.

Menstruation is the body’s natural ridding of an unfertilized egg and enlarged endometrium. The cycle lasts on average 4-7 days, no more than 150 ml of blood should be released during the entire period. If a woman suffers from any diseases or abnormalities, the reproductive system malfunctions, which leads to the appearance of bloody discharge. More than 36% of girls complain of heavy periods with blood clots. In medicine this is called menorrhagia. In the article we will understand why pathological periods occur, what are the symptoms, causes and treatment of the pathology.

Physiological norm of blood loss during menstruation

Every woman should know the norm of monthly bleeding in order to identify pathologies in time and begin treatment if necessary. The volume must be considered individually, based on the physiological characteristics of the body.

On average, this value ranges from 25 to 50 g per day. This means that in 5 days a woman normally loses up to 250 g.

Blood has a dim burgundy color and a specific odor. The composition of menstruation also includes: mucus, parts of the endometrium, and the remains of the egg.

Sometimes a small amount of clots can be found in monthly discharge. If this phenomenon is not accompanied by heavy bleeding and pain, then this is a normal option. These clots are particles of an unfertilized egg or blood that has coagulated in the vagina. Clots may also appear when using an intrauterine device.

At the initial stage of menstruation or in the last days, there may be light discharge of a darker color with a milky smell; this is also a variant of the norm if it does not last more than 2 days. Discharge that lasts longer than this period or occurs outside of menstruation can be a symptom of a serious illness and is a reason to visit a gynecologist.

It is important to know! Excessive discharge, especially with blood clots, uncharacteristic of normal menstruation , and aching pain in the lower abdomen are symptoms of intrauterine bleeding that cannot be stopped. It happens both with an ectopic pregnancy and with excessive stress on the body, for example, during active physical exercise.

Physiological causes of clots

If the girl is healthy, the menstrual flow has a mucous consistency. Pieces of the uterine epithelium or remains of the egg are visible in them. In addition, few clots are visible with a contraceptive IUD. If the secreted volume does not exceed the norm, the secretion smells normal and menstruation lasts no more than a week, there is no need to worry. Physiological causes of menstruation with clots are considered.

Sudden termination of pregnancy - even if the girl does not know about fertilization, the fetus is separated and an arbitrary abortion occurs. After 7-14 days, menstruation occurs with compactions after a short delay.
The presence of scars and adhesions that prevent the discharge from moving normally towards the exit of the vagina. Over time, the blood that does not leave the uterus in time clots, and the woman notices clots during menstruation.
Taking hormonal drugs or coagulants - long-term use of such drugs leads to a decrease in the duration of the cycle and the formation of clots.
Too viscous blood - this problem occurs with excessive consumption of proteins, lack of fluid, pathologies of the kidneys and cardiovascular system.
Lack of movement - if you lie or sit for a long time, the secretion thickens, and when a woman gets up, it is quickly eliminated along with the clots.
The presence of a contraceptive device - the constant presence of a foreign body in the uterus leads to the formation of blood clots.
Congenital bending of the neck, violations of its position or shape.

After an abortion, your first period may include small lumps. Hormonal imbalance causes an increased amount of discharge and also causes the regulation of lymph clotting. In addition, blood clots during menstruation appear during menopause or puberty. Normally, secretion is constantly changing, becoming abundant or vice versa, and lumps arise against the background of changes in the structure of the mucous membrane. Malnutrition, bad habits and hypothermia contribute to the formation of clots.

Is dark menstruation with clots dangerous?

Dark-colored periods with clots often indicate a pathological process.

They can be considered normal only for a short time after childbirth, when the cycle is just being restored. A similar phenomenon also happens if menstruation is accompanied by ARVI or flu with high fever.

But the repetition of black or brown menstruation of uneven consistency can tell a specialist about what happened to a woman:

Miscarriage. This can happen very early on. The pain that a woman experiences during this can be compared with the sensations during normal menstruation. Characteristic for spontaneous abortion are large clots during menstruation of a gray-yellow color, that is, their size exceeds 4 cm;
Cancer of the female organs. You can suspect its early stage if before menstruation there was liquid transparent discharge, and then black or brown discharge with clots began.

Why does heavy blood loss with clots occur?

Prolonged heavy menstruation indicates problems with the reproductive system or internal organs. Large blood loss causes iron deficiency anemia or lack of hemoglobin. This condition is dangerous for a woman; it causes loss of strength, decreased blood pressure, and headache.

These factors negatively affect the hormonal balance, as a result of which the homogeneity of the discharge is disrupted and clots appear in it. The cause of heavy periods with clots can only be determined by a doctor, after which therapy is prescribed. If the problems are not caused by serious factors, treatment may not be necessary. Often pathologies are diagnosed that cause severe bleeding.

Why do clots appear?

During your period, clots come out and a small amount is acceptable. So where do they come from?

During the menstrual cycle, a woman’s body prepares to receive a “belly man.” The placenta forms on the walls of the uterus, which after the appearance of the fertilized egg becomes indispensable for the embryo. He breathes and feeds through the placenta.

In addition, there are eggs waiting for fertilization, and if it does not occur, all neoplasms are excreted along with menstruation. It should be concluded that blood with clots is normal.

There is only one “BUT”: every woman must know which discharge is a cause for concern. Heavy periods, the causes of which are unknown, should at least alert you. For the female body, they can be much more dangerous than it seems. Especially if such discharge is painful and continues for a long time in the form of large bloody pieces.

What is the norm? Regular small clots (150 - 250 ml) are considered normal for a woman. They contain endometrial tissue and other matter that is subject to renewal.

What symptoms indicate pathology?

Heavy bleeding during menstruation can be accompanied by various symptoms depending on the cause of its occurrence. Regular blood loss leads to anemia, which causes tinnitus, dizziness, tachycardia, pale skin, shortness of breath, and increased weakness.

To recognize what causes the pathological condition, you need to pay attention to the following symptoms:

copious discharge with brown spots in between;
too frequent menstruation when the cycle lasts less than 21 days;
delays with an interval of more than 35 days;
menstruation with severe pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to the pelvic area;
large blood loss exceeding 160 ml;
duration is more than 8 days.

If the adjustments are painful, you should urgently go to the doctor, especially when you experience discomfort that interferes with your normal life.

During menopause, a woman should pay special attention to her health. If you have a high temperature, heavy periods and pain, a visit to the clinic is inevitable. Regular loss of blood with clots can cause cancer and the development of other unpleasant complications.

The main reasons for heavy periods

Doctors say that the normal amount of bleeding in the first two to three days is 100-150 ml. If the amount of fluid released is significantly exceeded, then you should consult a doctor, because too heavy periods can lead to anemia. Along with this, girls and women also experience other symptoms, for example:

fatigue;
weakness;
severe pain;
dizziness and nausea;
loss of consciousness;
pallor.

All these symptoms correspond to such a physiological deviation as metrorrhagia.

Metrorrhagia is a phenomenon that is accompanied by very heavy discharge during menstruation. This is a disturbance in the monthly cycle that does not affect its duration. But there are also women for whom it is constant and does not carry any pathogenic effects - for them this is the norm.

In teenagers, for example, a large amount of discharge is also normal, as is uneven cycle length. This is due to the hormonal imbalance of a young growing body.

But, if this is not the norm for you, and you are not a teenager, then remember: metrorrhagia is not a diagnosis, but a symptom of a certain disease, so if it appears, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Natural causes of a large amount of discharge include:

severe stress;
too sudden intense physical activity;
climate change;
improper use of hormones and contraception;
teenage cycle establishment;
menopause;
postpartum condition.

These reasons are not dangerous, but require listening to the body. If you do not have these reasons, and heavy discharge is not the first menstruation, then medical intervention is already necessary.

As for the reasons that mean pathological diseases, these include:

Hormone imbalance is a sharp change in the amount of hormones in a normally functioning body.
Intrauterine contraceptive devices. This is, firstly, an outdated method of contraception, and, secondly, very dangerous, as it provokes blood loss. To protect the woman’s life, the IUD must be removed.
Endometritis is heavy menstruation with clots, accompanied by severe abdominal pain. In this case, the inflamed lining of the uterus greatly increases in size and leaves the body unevenly and over a long period of time.
Poor coagulation is a blood clotting disorder due to poor nutrition, improper liver function, or heredity.
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection with subsequent inflammation of the ovaries, uterus, or fallopian tubes. The main signs here are fever, heavy discharge and severe pain in the lower abdomen.
Complicated childbirth, abortion, miscarriage.
Violation of uterine tone - the uterus contracts unevenly. It happens that a lot of blood is released, and it also happens that the discharge does not come out for a long time, coagulates and then large clots appear.
Adenomyosis - endometrial tissue grows into the uterus, and there it continues to develop and be shed - menstruation. This leads to rupture of the muscles of the uterus and the release of a large amount of secretions. In this case, there is very severe pain.
Benign tumors – uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps. With such pathologies, severe pain is present, and a large number of clots are observed during regulation.

These reasons are very serious; here you need to urgently consult a doctor and start treatment. These pathologies lead to anemia, infertility and other terrible consequences.

Possible diseases

The appearance of thick blood clots that are larger than 25 ml indicates the presence of health problems. This could be a benign tumor, abnormal development of the endometrium, hormonal imbalance, etc. To accurately establish a diagnosis, you need to see a doctor. The woman will be prescribed an additional examination, which will clarify the picture.

Most often, such pathologies lead to the appearance of hypermenorrhea.

Uterine fibroids are a benign formation concentrated in the muscular walls of the organ.
Endometrial hyperplasia - the disease is a disorder of the structure and development of the mucosa.
Cervical erosion - ulcers located in the cervical canal are easily infected, which disrupts the duration and amount of blood released, as well as its consistency.
Various infections - diseases and inflammations caused by infection, disrupt the structure of the uterus, enter the blood, changing its viscosity and acidity.
The presence of polyps in the uterus and cervix - growths are localized on the inner walls and when the overgrown endometrium is removed, they are damaged, which is why menstruation occurs with clots, which are destroyed tissue.
Endometriosis is a disease that disrupts the entire cycle. This is caused by an increase in the volume of the endometrium, which over time enters the cervix, tubes and even the peritoneum.

Heavy menstruation with clots often indicates the presence of cancerous tumors, as well as diabetes mellitus, dysfunction of the pituitary gland, abnormal metabolism, pathologies of the thyroid gland, etc.

Myoma

The main reason for heavy bleeding with pieces or clots is uterine fibroids. Nodes grow on the walls, which “creep” towards the outer shells. When the uterine cavity is full, the cycle is disrupted, as it is compressed and stretched, and as a result, the vessels are damaged.

One or more tumors block the exit from the uterus to the cervix, causing blood clots to form. The main causes of fibroids are complications after surgery, hereditary factors, irregular sex, and concomitant diseases. The disease is accompanied by pain and enlargement of the abdomen.

Hyperplasia

If the endometrium grows too much and reaches a thickness of up to 20 mm, it exfoliates unevenly and is separated along with menstruation in the form of dense particles. Due to the destruction of blood vessels, blood loss is more abundant and prolonged. The color of the clots is darker than blood, often burgundy or brown.

With the disease, the cycle becomes shorter and lasts up to 25 days. Menstruation lasts more than 10 days and is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and lower back. The woman feels tired, the hemoglobin level drops, which causes her health to deteriorate, and the uterine lining is also depleted.

Erosion

Erosion is a focal, ulcerative destruction of the mucous membrane of the neck. The disease occurs as a result of abortion, incorrect installation of the contraceptive device, miscarriage, and hormonal imbalances. Permanent damage to the vaginal opening and cervical canal leads to the development of small cracks and ulcers in this area.

Symptoms of the onset of menopause with regular menstruation

In some patients, normal ovulation continues until menopause and postmenopause. With such a transition to menopause, there is no typical picture of slow involution of the reproductive system. It is possible to diagnose menopause based on the symptoms of the onset of menopause that appear during regular menstruation. Most often it is accompanied by the following symptoms:

hot flashes during menstruation - a feeling of heat, increased sweating, a feeling of stuffiness, abruptly changing to chills;
headaches, dizziness;
increased blood pressure;
decreased libido;
emotional instability - sudden changes in mood, irritability, tearfulness, depression.

These signs intensify during critical days and decrease after their cessation. The rest of the time there is a feeling of dryness in the vagina and mucous membranes. This is due to decreased secretion of cervical mucus.

To confirm menopause while normal ovulation continues, you should monitor your health and, if you detect any changes, consult a doctor. To confirm or refute the onset of menopause, he will prescribe a number of tests and procedures: ultrasound, blood test to determine hormone levels.

Diagnostics

A woman who notices very heavy periods with clots should definitely visit a gynecologist. The doctor will conduct the necessary tests.

Blood test – necessary to determine the amount of hormones;
Colposcopy - the procedure involves inserting a colposcope into the vagina, with which you can examine the vagina and cervix;
Smear - the resulting material allows you to determine the presence of infectious inflammation;
Cytology - in the process, a part of the uterine cells is taken in order to detect cancer cells or metastases.

A thorough diagnosis allows you to accurately determine the cause of bleeding and eliminate it. In some cases, it is enough to undergo drug therapy.

How to restore the normal appearance of menstruation

Among the reasons that cause very heavy menstruation with clots, we did not mention cancer. There is no point in scaring readers.

If you feel unwell, go to a gynecologist; he will first rule out cancer, examine you for other pathologies, and prescribe treatment according to accepted medical regimens.

First, the doctor will conduct a gynecological examination, find out the nature and origin of the bleeding - is it uterine or vaginal, organic, caused by medication or pathology. A comprehensive examination includes:

Study of hormonal levels, cancer markers;
Blood test (to diagnose anemia, determine the level of iron, liver enzyme, bilirubin, blood clotting);
Ultrasound, MRI;
Hysteroscopy of the uterus;
Oncocytology smear (Papanicolaou method);
Examination of the endometrium with diagnostic curettage.

These methods will allow you to quickly establish a diagnosis and treat the disease at an early stage.

You should also worry when the critical days pass without blood clots, pure bright blood flows, or, conversely, the discharge is brown or brown throughout the entire menstruation.

In such cases, go to the doctor immediately, otherwise serious complications will appear - anemia, hemorrhagic shock. A large amount of blood is also an indicator for immediate contact with a doctor - if you change the pad every hour and a half, it means that the body is losing more blood than it can afford.

Having ruled out pathological causes, normalize menstruation with drugs such as Ascorutin and Calcium Gluconate, which reduce the intensity of discharge. To prevent menorrhagia, it is useful to take complexes including vitamins B, C, folic acid and iron.

The attending physician prescribes oral contraceptives that regulate hormonal balance, prevent the growth of the endometrium, and reduce the amount of discharge by up to 40%. Take a course of physical therapy (ozokerite, diathermy).

The duration, quantity, and painful sensations during menstruation depend on age, chronic diseases and many other factors. However, heavy periods with clots are not normal and are the first signal of the development of abnormalities in the functioning of the body.

What to do

Menorrhagia requires mandatory treatment. If the case of abundant regula with clots is isolated, you can use folk recipes in the absence of contraindications. Menorrhagia is usually treated with medication, but if tumors are detected, surgery may be necessary.

To stop heavy periods, you must visit a gynecologist to determine the causes of bleeding. It is impossible to stop pathological menstruation on your own, especially if it is caused by serious diseases.

Drugs

Before treatment with drugs, you should definitely consult your doctor. These medications are often used to stop bleeding immediately.

Etamsylate is a drug administered intravenously during hospital therapy.
Tranexam - the drug is sold in the form of tablets and solution for injection into a vein. In emergency cases, patients are prescribed a drip with this remedy.
Vikasol - tablets and solution stop bleeding in 4-5 days.
Dicynone - available in the form of tablets and solution for injection into the muscle and vein. The product is intended to increase the stability of capillaries. If you give an injection, the substances begin to act after 10 minutes.

Hormonal drugs for endometriosis and other diseases that require restoration of hormone levels:

Duphaston - intended for the treatment of infertility and normalization of the cycle;
Oxytocin - a drug that contracts the uterus and is prescribed in special situations;
Rigevidon is a contraceptive for oral use.

To obtain a quick effect, injections are used, tablets must be taken in courses. Self-therapy is possible only on the recommendation of a doctor. In some cases, decoctions and infusions contribute to the cessation of abundant regulation with compactions.

Folk remedies

Women suffering from a large amount of bleeding are interested in what to do at home in order to alleviate their condition as quickly as possible. Some herbs stop pathological menstruation very well and practically do not harm health.

Cherry branches - a prepared decoction in the form of regular tea stops blood well and normalizes hormone levels, and the berries of this tree saturate the body with copper and iron.
Nettle for heavy periods - to prepare a decoction you need to take 2 tbsp. fresh leaves of the plant and pour 1 tbsp. hot, but not boiling water, so that beneficial substances that increase hemoglobin are not lost.
Horsetail - you need to take 1 tsp. chopped plant, add 2 tbsp. boiling water, take 1 tbsp. every 3 hours until blood loss decreases.

If, along with bleeding, a woman suffers from pain or deterioration in health, self-medication is prohibited; this threatens not only her health, but also her life.

For any healthy woman, menstruation occurs on average every 28 days and lasts about a week. If you have heavy periods with blood clots, regardless of the reason, this is a clear signal that something is wrong with the body. So, how to stop bleeding, and when is immediate medical attention required?

What is considered normal

Normally, menstruation occurs every time pregnancy has not occurred. The unfertilized egg comes out along with the exfoliated endometrium. Normal discharge is red in color and has a characteristic iron smell.

In healthy girls and women, menarche occurs without pain. The normal duration of discharge is 2-7 days, with the first days being the most intense.

The cause of menstruation with clots without pain is considered to be high coagulability. Such lumps usually appear towards the end of the menstrual period, and the discharge itself becomes darker and more scanty. This should not be a concern unless accompanied by other symptoms.

Any of these signs is a reason to contact a gynecologist.

Causes of pathology

One of the signs of the presence of pathology of the reproductive system organs is considered to be painful menstruation with clots , their reasons are as follows:

constant stress;
acclimatization;
hormonal disorders;
endometriosis;
hematoma of the internal genital organs (possible during pregnancy);
injury;
neoplasms;
infectious or inflammatory processes in the uterus;
avitaminosis;
abortion;
premenopausal period.

The most dangerous cause of heavy periods with clots is neoplasms . At best, these are polyps or fibroids, at worst, a malignant tumor. Oncology requires prompt treatment, so timely detection of the disease is very important.

Heavy periods with blood clots can be a consequence of surgical abortion ; they should not be confused with regular ones.

Hemostatic agents

So, when the bleeding is very severe and it is necessary to stop it as soon as possible, you should use a remedy such as, for example, Dicinon. This effective means of stopping bleeding is also good because it can be purchased at any pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription.

It should be used exclusively in moments of heavy bleeding, but should not be used regularly. It is important to note that there are contraindications. So, “Ditsinon” cannot be used for. In case of heavy discharge of blood with clots, it should be taken twice a day, one tablet. You can make the effect of the drug stronger if you take it three to four times a day. However, it is recommended to consult with a specialist who will determine whether the use of such large dosages is advisable.

Another remedy that helps in the fight against heavy and severe bleeding, as well as clots, is Vikasol. This medicine can be used no more than two tablets within 24 hours. The degree of its effectiveness is not as great as some other means, but it is excellent for first aid. In the same case, when the bleeding does not become less intense, stronger agents should be used, for example, “Dicinon” or others approved by the gynecologist.

Very often, women do not pay attention to bleeding until it becomes really heavy and severe. This approach to your own health is fundamentally wrong because it can cause serious harm to your health. That is why it is very important to carry out timely treatment without self-medication, which can be very harmful.

Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received from the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Health and Social Development (2010). In 2013, she completed her postgraduate studies at NIMU named after. N.I. Pirogova.

The appearance of blood clots during menstruation may indicate inflammation in the female reproductive system, ovarian dysfunction, developmental abnormalities and neoplasms of the uterus, and ectopic pregnancy. This unpleasant phenomenon can be a consequence of abortion, childbirth, stress, or depression. First of all, we establish the cause and monitor the development of the ailment.

Heavy periods with clots (menorrhagia) plague every third woman. This phenomenon has different causes - normal and pathological. Let's try to determine in what cases you need a doctor, and in what cases you should not worry.

Types of pathology

Depending on what caused the heavy bleeding, they are divided into several types:

Dysfunctional. The changes are associated with hormonal changes, either after termination of pregnancy (ovulatory) or during menopause (anovulatory). Large blood loss during menopause leads to anemia.
Juvenile. Typical for women of reproductive age or early menopause. Ovulation is absent for one reason or another, and unexpected bleeding is often a sign of a tumor.
Breakthrough. A side effect from taking medications, or a consequence of an incorrectly installed intrauterine device.
Profuse. Outwardly, it is easy to confuse with ordinary menarche, but there is too much bleeding and it occurs regardless of the phase of the cycle.
Pregnancy period. Bloody smear or more serious blood loss indicates the presence of pathology and the threat of miscarriage. Minor bleeding in pregnant women in the first weeks is considered normal and goes away quickly, but if this happens in the second trimester or later, you should urgently consult a gynecologist.

Types of bleeding

The occurrence of hormonal imbalance in a woman during menopause makes it very difficult to diagnose ailments, and often spotting and clots from the uterine cavity are very easy to confuse with normal menstruation. When they appear, a woman should pay close attention to the presence of any anomalies that are unusual for normal menstruation. Based on the duration and abundance of discharge, bleeding is divided into several types, such as:

Menorrhagia is a fairly prolonged and very heavy uterine bleeding that is cyclical. Their duration is usually 7 days or more, while daily blood loss can be equal to 80 ml.
Metrorrhagia is minor bleeding that is irregular.
Menometrorrhargia is a fairly prolonged bleeding from the genital organ, accompanied by increased abundance and a complete lack of regularity.
Polymenorrhea - cyclic bleeding is extremely similar to menstruation, only having a cycle of 21 days.

Signs of pathology

A woman is not always able to independently determine that she has begun to experience heavy bleeding during menstruation, especially if this happened at the beginning. Therefore, you should pay attention to other signs:

blood loss per day is more than 80 ml;
menarche lasts more than 7 days;
irregular menstrual cycle;
age before puberty;
menopause

If, during heavy periods with clots, blood loss occurs almost non-stop for several days in a row, you need to urgently consult a specialist. You cannot self-medicate or wait for everything to go away on its own.

This situation leads to the loss of important microelements, especially iron. Therefore, if menarche with large blood loss is regular, a few days before their onset it is worth taking iron supplements , and immediately during it, eat more foods containing it.

With large blood losses, fluid is removed from the body, so it is important to monitor the water balance. Dehydration negatively affects the functioning of the kidneys, heart, and circulatory system, so regular drinking of fluids is mandatory.

If heavy bleeding is unusual for a particular woman, but occurs unexpectedly against the background of more scanty discharge, this is a signal of the presence of infection or inflammation . It is necessary to reduce physical activity and avoid unnecessary stress, including emotional stress. A visit to a gynecologist and tests are strictly required.

Alarm signals from the body

Discharge during menstruation may deviate from the norm. Menstruation, clots, pain, and heavy bleeding appear.

In most cases, this leads to anemia (iron deficiency), so you should listen to the body’s signals.

The main symptoms may be:

unpleasant odor;
darkening of menstrual flow.

If there are none, the gynecologist will make a standard diagnosis - adenomyosis. A similar conclusion is made only after an ultrasound or colposcopy. Sometimes you can get by with a gynecological examination in a chair. It is believed that this is the norm for women during a certain period of their life, for example, after childbirth. But if you start the disease, it will become worse with new painful symptoms and lead to infertility, at best. At worst, to oncology.

Women are often bothered by dark brown discharge with large clots. But! There is no need to worry too much if these symptoms occur only at the beginning or end of your period. A dangerous signal is considered if symptoms persist throughout or instead of menstruation. As a result, there may be a cycle disruption.

Why lumpy periods or bleeding appear during pregnancy is a rather well-worn topic. It is impossible to say that this is normal, but in some cases there are exceptions to the rules.

Late ovulation
. The phenomenon is quite rare, but it does happen. An elementary example: as a result of stress and hormonal changes, ovulation shifts by 2 weeks. So what happens? A woman's standard menstrual cycle is 28 days, with the ovulation period beginning 12-16 days after her period. Let's take the average number 14, 28-14-14 = 0, that is, there is absolutely nothing left before menstruation. Sexual intercourse should take place a few days before your period. Thus, it reaches the uterus, fertilization occurs simultaneously with menstruation. Of course, an immediate miscarriage is possible.
The human body has memory
. This is why some pregnant women have stable periods during the first few months of pregnancy. In other words, the endometrium continues to be renewed and dead tissue is washed away. Some doctors call this “fetal washing.” There is nothing good about this. This deviation can be considered a pathology, but the fact that the female body copes with this phenomenon indicates good gestation and reproduction.
Some exceptions in female physiology
are normal and understandable. But no matter how much you look for an answer on the Internet, it is still safer to consult a doctor. 99% of 100% of menstruation with clots during pregnancy indicate fetal fading; the pieces themselves may already be particles of the embryo. In the early stages, women rarely agree to curettage, so often everything comes out naturally, and there is no point in injuring the uterus.

There are forums and blogs on the World Wide Web. Some girls post information about their well-being there, attach photos, ask questions, and share their experiences. From such sources you can learn a lot of informative and interesting things, however, to clarify the diagnosis, there are offices of a gynecologist and an uzist. Menstruation with clots is still a reason to visit them.

Heavy and heavy bleeding that occurs during menstruation, accompanied by clots, should be considered a sign of serious problems. About what are the reasons for this phenomenon and how to combat it further.

Diagnostic methods

To know what to do in case of heavy bleeding during menstruation, it is necessary to identify its cause. is used for this :

Anamnesis collection. At the first visit, the doctor will ask you to tell about previous cases of gynecological diseases, whether there have been abortions, whether there are any peculiarities of the menstrual cycle, etc.
Visual inspection. Allows you to detect symptoms of infectious diseases and injuries to the external genitalia. When examining the uterus, the specialist may take a small amount of tissue for a biopsy.
Laboratory research. If you have heavy periods with clots, you will need to take a blood test for coagulation, hormones and tumor markers.
Instrumental diagnostic methods. Ultrasound allows you to timely identify pathologies of the internal genital organs and make an accurate diagnosis.

If the woman is of childbearing age, additional diagnostics will be required to exclude the risk of ectopic pregnancy . If a patient has heavy periods after 40 years of age and, especially, after the onset of menopause, additional examination by an oncologist will be required, since during this period the risk of malignant neoplasms increases.

Lifestyle with regular heavy menstruation

In case of constant heavy menstruation, you should pay close attention to your lifestyle, maintain personal hygiene and refrain from certain activities during this period.

Before your period and during your period you should not:

lift weights and engage in heavy physical labor;
exercise;
take a bath, go to a sauna or steam room;
Do massage;
drink alcoholic beverages and coffee.

Bathing in the bathroom should be replaced with a shower, increase the amount of fruits and protein foods, and, if possible, rest more in a lying position.

It is better to replace sports activities with walks in the fresh air. Having sex should also be postponed to avoid infection through the open cervix.

Treatment

When the causes of heavy periods with clots are identified, you can choose the treatment that is most suitable for each specific case. As a rule, this is drug therapy aimed at restoring hormonal balance, as well as relieving painful symptoms. Sometimes surgery is required.

Any medications, including their dosage, should be prescribed only by the attending physician based on the tests and examinations performed.

Acute pathologies and tumors require surgery; for other cases, medications . What you should drink during heavy periods with clots depends on the disease:

In cases of severe endometriosis, ingrown areas are removed using laparoscopy; in simpler cases without painful symptoms, hormonal drugs are prescribed.
Progestogen-based products are taken to prevent the growth of the endometrium. During menopause, hormonal medications that contain progesterone are taken.
Small fibroids are removed or treated with hormonal contraceptives.
Heavy periods with blood clots lead to low hemoglobin, so the patient is prescribed iron supplements to replenish it. The course of treatment lasts up to 6 months, then the dose is reduced and the drugs are taken for prevention.
Vitamins C and B12 can be taken to restore normal functioning of the circulatory system.

What exactly to take for treatment of heavy periods with clots, and how to reduce blood loss, only a gynecologist can tell you. This is especially true for hormonal drugs; an exact dosage is needed here, which can only be calculated by a specialist.

ethnoscience

People have known for a long time how to use herbs to reduce heavy periods. Recipes that have been tested for decades, or even centuries, are still preserved and can help. When consuming herbal infusions, experts advise consulting with a specialist. Medicinal plants have their own side effects and contraindications, and some of them are strong allergens. What herbs can be used:

Shepherd's purse, nettle, corn silk. In addition, these same herbs relieve inflammation.

2. Kalina. The berries contain a lot of vitamins, including those that strengthen blood vessels and restore normal blood circulation.

3.Cherry. A decoction of cherry twigs has a hemostatic property, and the cherry berries themselves contain a large amount of iron.

To maintain normal hemoglobin levels, you need to eat red vegetables and fruits ; it is iron that gives them their color. A large amount of this element is found in meat, especially beef, as well as in buckwheat.

But cereals and dairy products interfere with the absorption of iron in the body, so you need to eat such foods at different times.

Ways to treat heavy period bleeding

If we are talking about pathology, in 80% of cases it is impossible to do without surgical treatment. In this case, the damaged area of the uterus is removed or any other pathology that provokes heavy bleeding and clots is eliminated.

If the ultrasound failed to identify any pathologies, then the gynecologist prescribes an examination, which is aimed at identifying neoplasms in the urogenital system. We are talking about magnetic resonance computed tomography. If no tumors are observed, then to recover from hormonal disorders, the specialist will prescribe medications that contain gestagens.

In case of heavy bleeding, directly related to the onset of menopause, it is necessary to take hormonal medications that contain progesterone.

It may also be necessary to take so-called monophasic contraceptives, which are prescribed if uterine fibroids are diagnosed.

Monophasic agents:

have an effect on reducing bleeding.

In cases where treatment is ineffective, a surgical method is used to get rid of the nodes. If the disease is not treated appropriately, the entire uterus may need to be removed. Today, embolization is used to treat fibroids. The presented modern technique ensures maximum blocking of blood flow to the nodal formations in the fibroid. As a consequence of this, tumor cells complete the process of reproduction and growth and soon die completely.

If, based on the test results, it becomes obvious that bleeding is caused by a low ratio, then it is necessary to take certain medications containing iron. We are talking, for example, about “Tardiferon”.

Then, when menstruation passes accompanied by clots, but no diseases or pathologies have been identified, the specialist prescribes medications such as calcium gluconate or Ascorutin. However, what to do if the bleeding becomes more and more severe, and there is no way to wait for a specialist or undergo an examination.