Changes in menstrual bleeding, such as heavy bleeding, clotting, and lower back pain, could indicate a medical condition that requires attention. Heavy bleeding and clotting during pregnancy could be a sign of a dangerous condition, while uterine fibroids, medication, weight changes, and perimenopause can also cause clotting. Women should see a doctor if they experience significant changes in their menstrual period or if the clots are larger than the size of quarters.
Most menstrual bleeding is not dangerous or serious. However, it is important to take note of any changes in a menstrual period such as heavy bleeding and lower back pain, as well as clotting. These could be signs of a condition that requires medical attention.
Menstrual clotting that occurs during pregnancy can be dangerous as it could indicate that the baby is growing outside rather than inside the uterus. Clotting and heavy blood flow could also signal a miscarriage or other pregnancy problems. If a pregnant woman is experiencing heavy bleeding and/or clotting, she should seek medical help right away. Even if a woman experiencing these symptoms does not think she is pregnant, she is usually tested for pregnancy when a doctor looks for the cause of the clotting.
Another common cause of heavy menstrual bleeding and clotting is uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids are smooth muscle, noncancerous tumors that grow in various parts of the uterus. Symptoms of uterine fibroids include back pain along with heavy bleeding and menstrual clotting. Doctors can conduct tests to check for fibroids.
Menstrual clotting can be a normal part of menstruation. Clots in your menstrual flow can simply mean that blood is rushing through your body at a fast rate. Some medications can cause changes in menstrual flow that include clotting. This cause can be difficult to prove, but it may be easier if a woman has recently started experiencing menstrual clots soon after starting a new medication.
Significant changes in weight, either loss or gain, could also cause menstrual clotting. Clotting during menstruation can also be a normal part of perimenopause, or the time before menopause proper occurs. Menopause is the end of the menstrual cycle for a woman, but in many cases, changes in blood flow can occur years before they occur. Hormonal changes also cause clotting. If clotting as part of a menstrual period is something new to a woman, or if the clots are larger than the size of quarters, she should see a doctor as soon as possible.
A woman who experiences changes in her menstrual period that last more than a month should report the change to her doctor. In most cases, menstrual clotting isn’t dangerous, but when doctors know it’s occurring, they can conduct tests to find the cause. Any other health issues caused by clotting or heavy periods should be addressed. For example, if a woman loses a lot of blood through her menstrual flow, a doctor may prescribe iron supplements.
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