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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think period clots are normal?

55 replies

IconicKitty · 03/04/2023 18:21

I've had clots since I started menstruating. But I've read clots can be a sign of endometriosis or another issue.

I've always thought clots are normal and all women have them. Is that not the case? Do some women not have to suffer these? Should I be concerned?

OP posts:
MarshaMelrose · 03/04/2023 19:53

From the publication Medical News Today...

It might be surprising to see a thick glob of menstrual blood, but, in most cases, blood clots are a natural part of menstruation. It does not usually mean that there is a problem, but sometimes it can be a sign of a health condition.

Blood clots are a natural part of the body’s defense mechanism. The thick, jelly-like texture of a menstrual clot helps prevent too much blood from escaping. This is the same clotting function that happens elsewhere in the body is an injury to the tissue, such as a cut or laceration.

Menstrual clots generally occur when the flow is heavy. They are more common during the first 2 days of menstruation, which is typically the heaviest part of a period.
^^
Clots can be bright in color, or a darker, deeper red. More sizeable clots may look black. Menstrual blood begins to appear darker and more brown toward the end of each period as the blood is older and leaving the body less quickly.

L3ThirtySeven · 03/04/2023 19:53

I get clots on my heavy days. They’ve been pretty consistent since menarche.

justmyluck1234 · 03/04/2023 21:05

I would say to a degree yes normal. I used to get them when I was a little younger (not so much anymore though)

TruthsAndALie · 03/04/2023 21:09

Nellodee · 03/04/2023 18:28

I never had clots until my late forties. I developed fibroids and then my periods looked like the swamp scene from Stand By Me.

😂 I’m not laughing at your misfortune but women have such brilliant turn of phrases when describing the massacre that can be periods.

I don’t have clots OP, never have but then I’m lucky and have light flow. PMT though… some weeks I could single handedly take on an SAS team.

MYSTERIOUSGIRLONLINE · 03/04/2023 21:10

Blood clots are a sign of endometriosis. I've had heavy periods with severe pain when ovulating and when on my period. I was diagnosed last year with endometriosis stage 4. Its unfortunate it's starting to spread into my urinary tract and my right shoulder which needs surgery further down the road but I'd get the Dr to try seeing if you can get a scan from gynecology to maybe rule out endometriosis. Good luck!

Peckhaminn · 03/04/2023 21:23

I get very large clots and always have done. Think it's normal

DustyLee123 · 03/04/2023 21:24

Small clots are normal. I got bigger clots when I went into peri and ended up anaemic, so got a mirena coil.

Georgiepud · 03/04/2023 21:32

I have clots, usually halfway through the period.

Whatkatyforgottodo · 03/04/2023 21:36

I started getting clots in my late 30’s and was prescribed tranexamic acid which has really helped!

Kissedbyfire1 · 03/04/2023 21:38

I always had clots, often the size of my palm. I had fibroids and adenomyosis. I’m post menopause now thankfully.

WoodTrees · 03/04/2023 21:39

As a teenager I had clotting with heavy periods. I went on the pill late teens, and since then, after two children and no longer on the pill, my periods became non heavy. I've never had any other gynae issues. My children are now adults

Decaffe · 03/04/2023 21:43

I have blood clots and have recently been diagnosed with adenomyosis and stage 4 deep infiltrating endometriosis.

(FYI my periods aren’t that painful, they’re not especially long or heavy. My only endometriosis symptoms are lower back ache, a single javelin arse/stabbing pain every period, and looser stools on my period. It turns out I am riddled with endo and adhesions and my entire pelvis is glued together Sad)

xogossipgirlxo · 03/04/2023 21:43

I do have small clots (something like content when you blow your nose), but my mum has endometriosis and she always had coin sized ones.

Casilero · 03/04/2023 21:46

I've been passing what can only be described as offal since I hit 45. It's shit but apparently "normal" according to Nurse Lizzie who doesn't believe in HRT. She doesn't believe in lots of things - Anti depressants, antibiotics, sleeping tablets, anti anxiety medication. Most things can be solved with a brisk walk apparently

Bananananas · 03/04/2023 21:46

If they're accompanied by enough blood to be able to remake Carrie then no they aren't normal. If it's a few small clots on a heavy day then absolutely normal.

MrsJBaptiste · 03/04/2023 21:50

Christ, I've never passed any clots - some of these posts are making me feel quite sick! 🤢

Amipreg1 · 03/04/2023 21:52

Small clots are normal but anything over the size of a 50p should be noted with your gp. I have lost clots the size of plums before but I was then diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia and once treated it resolved.

Pollujin · 03/04/2023 21:52

I've only had them when I had a fibroid, which I had removed and now I don't have them any more. Didn't have them when I first started periods for years, just when the fibroid appeared. Biggest clots were large enough to fill a larger size moon cup at once (i.e. would fill it entirely and overflow even just a few minutes after I'd emptied it).

Greensleevevssnotnose · 03/04/2023 21:54

How do you know. My tampons all just come out brownish how would I see a clot?

lipstickwoman · 03/04/2023 21:54

I assumed were normal. Even when I wondered if I was passing lumps of my liver....

reluctantadmissions · 03/04/2023 22:15

Well since using a menstrual cup I think I know more about my menstruation than ever before and yes, most months I will have clots. It's hard to say what size as it collects in the cup... I have normal regular periods, minimal pain (occasional aches for a few hours on the heaviest day) and bleed up to 4/5 days in 28 day cycle. So as far as I can tell, I think it's normal!

Kay00 · 03/04/2023 22:21

Well. I have lots of clots, and assumed that it was normal, and perhaps it is? But I do have PCOS, and infertility... So maybe not.

I'll be getting my ovaries drilled soon, so any possible endo will be picked up then I guess. What fun it is, being a woman 😑

thecatsarecrazy · 03/04/2023 22:25

Yep I get clots, normally when I pass a big bugger it's a good sign my period is about to end. I had one land on my foot in the shower once

thecatsarecrazy · 03/04/2023 22:26

Greensleevevssnotnose · 03/04/2023 21:54

How do you know. My tampons all just come out brownish how would I see a clot?

Comes out like a lump of jam when I have them

Pressuretoohigh · 03/04/2023 22:28

I thought the key is what is normal for you - so if you start passing large clots which you've not done before then you should talk to a doctor.

Saying that, in the last few months I've started passing clocks the size of large eggs and probably should mention it to my GP!!

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