If your menstrual blood varies in color and
consistency throughout your monthly period, it's likely that it's perfectly
normal. There are times, though, when changes in color, thickness, or clotting
may indicate a problem.
You might feel embarrassed asking your
health care provider about menstrual blood problems, but it is important.
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What happens during a menstrual period, and
how long does it last?
During your menstrual cycle, the lining of
your uterus thickens to get ready for pregnancy. Then, during your period, your
body sheds the uterus lining along with blood. The amount of blood and fluid
lost is usually between 4 and 12 teaspoons each cycle.
The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days.
For some women, though, cycles can be as short as 21 days. For others, they can
be as long as 35 days.
A normal period lasts between two and seven
days. The average length of time for a period is three to five days.
Are clots and thicker menstrual blood
unusual during a period?
Many women have clots in their menstrual
blood from time to time. The clots may be bright red or dark in color. Often,
these clots are shed on the heaviest days of bleeding. The presence of multiple
clots in your flow may make your menstrual blood seem thick or denser than
usual.
Your body typically releases anticoagulants
to keep menstrual blood from clotting as it's being released. But when your
period is heavy and blood is being rapidly expelled, there's not enough time
for anticoagulants to work. That enables clots to form.
If you have excessive clotting or clots
larger than a quarter, you should see your health care provider to rule out any
conditions that might be causing an abnormal period.
Are darker colors and thicker flows normal
in menstrual blood?
Sometimes you may notice that your
menstrual blood becomes dark brown or almost black as you near the end of your
period. This is a normal color change. It happens when the blood is older and
not being expelled from the body quickly.
Temporary thick, heavy flow isn't
necessarily cause for concern. However, regular heavy periods justify a trip to
the doctor to check your blood counts. Many women become accustomed to heavy
periods, considering them to be normal. Over time, though, the excess monthly
blood loss leads to anemia, potentially causing weakness or fatigue. If you ever
feel something's not right with your period, see your health care provider.
What causes menstrual blood problems?
Changes in the color and thickness of
menstrual blood are often normal. But there are a number of problems that might
cause abnormal clots to form in your menstrual blood or lead to the changes in
color or thickness during your period. Remember, it's important to discuss any
concerns you have with your doctor. Problems that can cause changes include:
Miscarriage. Women who have miscarried may
pass blood clots or gray clumps of tissue from the vagina. If there is a chance
you are pregnant, be sure to check with your doctor immediately if you notice
excessive bleeding or clotting.
Fibroids. Uterine fibroids are also called
leiomyomas. These are noncancerous tumors that form in the uterus. Fibroids do
not always cause symptoms. In fact,
increasing research information suggests that most women with small
"fibroid" tumors have no symptoms at all. But women with fibroids may
notice greater than usual amounts of menstrual blood. If you have fibroids, you
may have more clots in your period than you had in the past.
Hormonal changes. Your body relies on a
delicate balance of progesterone and estrogen. These hormones regulate the
production and shedding of the uterine lining. When this balance is disturbed,
it can lead to the development of an excessively thick uterine lining. This
thickness can contribute to more bleeding than usual. It can also cause clots
in the menstrual blood when the lining is shed.
Hormone changes may occur for many reasons,
including:
Menopause
Recent dramatic weight change
Side effects from some medications,
including steroids
Large uterus. If your uterus has been
stretched during pregnancy and does not return to its original size, it may be
permanently enlarged. With an enlarged uterus, menstrual blood may have time to
collect and clot before it's released from the body. This could also result in
a dark color or thickening of your menstrual flow.
Obstruction of menstrual blood. Anything
that hinders or blocks the flow of menstrual blood from the uterus through the
cervix and out of the vagina may lead to problems with clots, color, or
thickness of menstrual blood. Benign polyps in the uterus may change the flow
of blood during your period. The flow can also be slowed around the time of
menopause when the cervical canal may become smaller as estrogen levels drop.
Adenomyosis or endometriosis. These related
conditions occur when the tissue that forms the uterine lining is found in the
wrong place. In endometriosis, this tissue develops outside of the 