Having blood clots during your period is generally normal and nothing to worry about.
These clots can be about the size of a quarter or less.
Larger clots can be cause for concern, though.
Illustration by Emily Roberts for Verywell Health
The blood may also be thick or stringy, and the color of the clots can vary.
Your period may start with bright red clots, but older blood will turn a darker color.
As the lining detaches, small blood vessels calledcapillarieswill rupture and bleed, causing your monthly flow.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
To prevent too much blood from being lost, your body will respond by forming blood clots.
Abnormal Period Blood Clots
There are times when a period clot is a cause for concern.
This is usually when a clot is excessively large due to heavy bleeding, previously known asmenorrhagia.
Talk with your healthcare provider if you experience these symptoms.
How Heavy Is Heavy?
Von Willebrand’s disease is a common cause of heavy periods.
Heavy bleeding, clots, and painful cramping may be signs of miscarriage.
They will also likely perform apelvic examand order tests to figure out what might be causing your blood clots.
Iron Supplements
Prolonged, heavy menstrual bleeding is a common cause of anemia.
One study found that 63.4% of people with heavy menstrual bleeding also had anemia.
To treat anemia, your healthcare provider may prescribeiron supplements.
Studies have shown that these anti-inflammatory effects can reduce heavy menstrual by about 30%.
Other NSAIDs like aspirin or Aleve (naproxen) do not have these effects and can increase menstrual bleeding.
Hormonal Therapy
Progesterone, estrogen, or a combination of the two can help reduce bleeding.
This is referred to astherapeutic hormonal therapy (THT).
Hormonal Therapy or Birth Control?
They do so by preventing the breakdown of fibrin produced by clotting factors in the blood.
By slowing the breakdown of clots, bleeding can be reduced.
Studies have shown that tranexamic acid can reduce heavy menstrual flow by 26% to 50%.
Surgery
Surgery may be an option if you have polyps or fibroids.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend surgery if conservative treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding fail to provide relief.
Surgical options include:
Other noninvasive procedures, such as focused ultrasound, also may be an option.
Speak with your healthcare provider about fertility-preserving treatments if you are trying or intend to get pregnant.
Summary
In general, period blood clots aren’t something to worry about.
Treatment may include oral painkillers, iron supplements, hormonal contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, or antifibrinolytic drugs.
In some cases, uterine surgery may be recommended.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center.When do period problems in teens become PROBLEMS?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heavy menstrual bleeding.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.Hormonal causes of HMB.
2024 Jun;184:107944. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.107944
