Very very heavy period and huge blood clot - why?

[Tiletiletile1]

I’ve been having periods since I was 11, I’m 40 now and - over the last two years - my periods have gotten heavier, but only for day 1, then normal.

Today, however, I am really freaked out. I took DC out and, after waking for 10 mins, I felt my tampon leak. And then, 5 mins later, leak down my leg (!). I rushed home, my pants were absolutely soaked (lucky was wearing a long, flowing dress so no one could see) and I just passed an absolutely enormous blood clot. Maybe 6cm in diameter? And there is so much blood.

This has never happened before! Is this normal? I’ve been TTC for two years with no luck and have “normal” day 3 and 21 blood tests (which pick up on stuff like endometriosis, don’t they?).

I don’t know if I’d be being over the top to call my GP. Maybe this is something that just happens?

Could be because I’m approaching menopause?! (Since I cant get pregnant I’ve been wondering.)

Any advice would be so appreciated. I’m really freaked out! This has never happened to me before - the major leaking or the huge blood clot.

Mine got heavier for a day or two each month around the same age as you, which then led to flooding every month and culminated in a massive bleed passing huge clots that led to a trip to A&E! In the middle of all that I got diagnosed with fibroids so you have those, which might also be impacting on you TTC. I don't know if blood tests would pick up endometriosis. I would phone your GP, far too many women suffer with these sort of bleeding for too long!

Oh gosh, emma! That sounds tough!

Thank you - I hadn’t thought of fibroids. I will call my GP. I never like wasting her time.

In my new heavier periods (the day 1), I do pass smaller clots. But this flooding and massive clot is like nothing that has happened to me before in my 29 years (!) of getting periods!

No, unfortunately there are no blood tests or other tests that can detect endometriosis - the only way to diagnose or rule it out is a laparoscopy. I would be pushing for a Gynae referral if you haven’t already.

I'm the same age as you and have just recently had three large polyps removed which were likely the cause of the flooding. Might be worth looking into.

I'm afraid it sounds to me like an early miscarriage I'm so sorry

I occasionally have had very heavy periods with flooding and clots, for me, it’s just one of those things.

In all honesty, it’s impossible to say it’s an early miscarriage (as per PP) especially if your period wasn’t late/no positive pregnancy test.

I've had very heavy bleeding, large clots etc around that age and it was fibroids. I would mention to GP especially as you are TTC, mention that as well. I had a small operation to remove fibroids.

This happened to me in my forties (now 54 and post-menopausal). Started with the odd heavy day then I endured flooding and very heavy periods every three weeks between the ages of 48 and 51. Seek help. Perimenopause can be hideous and for me it was actually worse than menopause itself. I'd rather have the hot flushes and night sweats than periods any day! I discovered that norethisterone worked for me - I originally got it online because I was just desperate for a break from the bleeding - and then persuaded the GP to prescribe it for me. That helped me get to menopause.

Thank you all! I didn’t know that about endometriosis, that’s useful to know.

DH thought it was a very early miscarriage but the reason I’m not sure is that I was having very normal period symptoms for me (breast pain, moodiness) on the days I expect it and my period came bang on its regular day. To be honest, a very early miscarriage would be the best outcome as it would mean my body can conceive and that I don’t have anything else up! (I know that sounds bad.)

I am going to call the GP this afternoon. These responses are so helpful, thank you!

I have often wondered if I’m Perimenopausal, aimeeee. I definitely get hotter and sweatier than usual!

@Tiletiletile1

Thank you all! I didn’t know that about endometriosis, that’s useful to know.

DH thought it was a very early miscarriage but the reason I’m not sure is that I was having very normal period symptoms for me (breast pain, moodiness) on the days I expect it and my period came bang on its regular day. To be honest, a very early miscarriage would be the best outcome as it would mean my body can conceive and that I don’t have anything else up! (I know that sounds bad.)

I am going to call the GP this afternoon. These responses are so helpful, thank you!

I have had many early miscarriages and they are almost exactly like this, with periods happening bang on the expected dates. My fertility consultant said it’s the most common kind of early miscarriage (ie genetic problems at the earliest stage) - the ones that happen later are less usual.

I started getting perimenopausal symptoms around 40 (I'm 44 now) and started my periods at 11, like you. The flooding-type periods were part of that, and some of them a couple of years ago were so heavy they soaked through Mooncup + pad and included a lot of clots. My periods have more or less stopped now, maybe a very light one every 2–3 months, but that's it. I reckon I'm pretty close to the menopause now, but haven't seen a GP in years so don't know for sure.
Perhaps head to the GP and get a test to see whether it's the perimenopause, as it sounds very like what I was going through at 40.
I often wonder if getting your period early (I had only just turned 11 when I got my first one) results is going through perimenopause and then menopause early, as that seems to be my experience.

This sounds absolutely nothing like any of my early miscarriages so I think that's unlikely. I would agree with PP that it sounds like you may be perimenopausal. Might be worth a trip to discuss with GP.

@alltalknobaby

This sounds absolutely nothing like any of my early miscarriages so I think that's unlikely. I would agree with PP that it sounds like you may be perimenopausal. Might be worth a trip to discuss with GP.

It sounds exactly like a 9 week miscarriage I had. Strangely I wasn't bent over in agony, just a lot of blood, followed by a huge clot and few small ones. It happened in hospital (I had Hyperemesis and was on a drip) and it was confirmed that it was a miscarriage after examining it. I also had very period-like symptoms during both pregnancies.

I would say just keep an open mind. That way nothing will blind side you.
I hope whatever it is, doesn't happen again

@alltalknobaby

This sounds absolutely nothing like any of my early miscarriages so I think that's unlikely. I would agree with PP that it sounds like you may be perimenopausal. Might be worth a trip to discuss with GP.

It’s like all of mine.

This was what my periods were like from about age 35.

I got put on the mini pill and the flooding and clots were worse. I also bled every day for 8 months. If it's unusual it's worth being checked out.

This type of bleeding is not unusual for me having fibroids. I usually manage with tranexamic acid tablets on prescription to reduce it but sometimes it doesn't work I'd there's a long gap between doses.

I'd say maybe peri menopause, I had ablation at 42 to deal with it

I often wonder if getting your period early (I had only just turned 11 when I got my first one) results is going through perimenopause and then menopause early, as that seems to be my experience.

I have wondered the same for a few years! I wonder if there is a link?

Flooded another tampon (was doubled up with pad this time!) and passed another enormous clot! Eek!

A 2017 study in Human Reproduction journal seems to say there is a link between early first period and early menopause: www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/01/25/511588083/an-early-first-menstrual-period-may-lead-to-premature-menopause?t=1597925686433

@Absofruitly

I started getting perimenopausal symptoms around 40 (I'm 44 now) and started my periods at 11, like you. The flooding-type periods were part of that, and some of them a couple of years ago were so heavy they soaked through Mooncup + pad and included a lot of clots. My periods have more or less stopped now, maybe a very light one every 2–3 months, but that's it. I reckon I'm pretty close to the menopause now, but haven't seen a GP in years so don't know for sure. Perhaps head to the GP and get a test to see whether it's the perimenopause, as it sounds very like what I was going through at 40. I often wonder if getting your period early (I had only just turned 11 when I got my first one) results is going through perimenopause and then menopause early, as that seems to be my experience.

Early periods (before 9) are associated with PCOS usually and tend to result in later menopause.

I started my periods at 10 and I'm 50 in a few weeks with no signs of them ending, so it's not always the case.

OP I've had an early miscarriage that sounds just like this too. Did a test afterwards (positive).

That’s interesting pet8. I wonder if any of the trace HGC hormone would be left? Maybe I’ll get a cheap test, just to know...

Thank you for that link! Very interesting reading!

I would also say it sounds like a very early miscarriage. I’ve had 3 which have all been like this. I did do a cheap test after 1 which did have a VERY faint line, could you do that and see if it shows anything?