Sometimes menstruation can come down with lumps, which are blood clots, but this situation is usually normal because it arises due to an imbalance in the woman's hormones. When this hormonal imbalance occurs, the lining of the walls of the uterus may thicken, causing more extensive bleeding and clot formation, which may range from 5 mm to 3-4 cm.
However, although menstruation with lumps is normal in most cases and does not require treatment, in other cases it can be caused by some diseases such as anemia, endometriosis or fibroid. For this reason, it is important to consult a gynecologist to assess the cause of the blood clots and guide the proper treatment.
If you have very heavy bleeding for more than 7 days, see the main causes of menstrual bleeding.
Causes of menstruation with lumps
Menstruation with lumps is usually not worrisome and does not require treatment. However, it may also be a sign of some inflammation or diseases such as endometriosis and so it is important to consult a gynecologist to do a blood clotting test after menstruation or an ultrasound.
When the woman has more than 2 menstrual cycles with menstruation with pieces, this can mean:
1. Abortion
Blood clots during menstruation may indicate miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy, especially if the color is slightly yellowish or grayish. See what other symptoms may help identify an abortion.
What to do : To confirm if an abortion has occurred, it is very important to go to the gynecologist, but if the bleeding is very heavy, you should go to the hospital quickly to start the appropriate treatment and prevent the loss of too much blood. In most cases, abortion occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy and bleeding lasts only 2 to 3 days.
2. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, which can lead to heavy menstruation, intense pain and clot formation. This disease, although it is more frequent in women between the 30 and the 40 years, can appear at any age.
What to do : You should consult your gynecologist to perform tests such as transvaginal ultrasound or blood test and confirm the diagnosis, starting treatment that usually depends on the woman's desire to become pregnant, and can be done with the use of medicines, hormones or surgery. Learn more about when intense menstrual pain can be endometriosis and how treatment is done.
3. Mioma
Myoma is a benign tumor on the inner wall of the uterus, which usually causes symptoms such as pain in the uterus, heavy menstruation with formation of clots, and bleeding outside the menstrual period.
What to do : It is important to consult the gynecologist to make a pelvic ultrasound and confirm the presence of myoma. Treatment can be done with medicine, surgery for removal of fibroid or embolization of fibroid. Learn more about treatment for fibroid.
4. Iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia may be one of the causes of menstruation with lumps, since iron deficiency can alter blood clotting, leading to menstrual clots.
What to do : It is advised to consult the general practitioner to request a blood test and to confirm the presence of anemia. When confirmed, anemia can be treated with an iron supplement, prescribed by the physician, and the intake of iron-rich foods such as lentils, parsley, beans, and meats. See other foods rich in iron for anemia.
5. Other diseases affecting the endometrium
Other endometrial diseases such as endometrial hyperplasia, which is the overgrowth of the endometrium, or polyposis, which is the formation of polyps in the endometrium, can cause menstruation with lumps due to the growth of the uterus.
What to do : You should consult your gynecologist to identify the correct problem. Treatment can be done with curettage of the endometrial tissue or with the use of progesterone. Understand how curettage is done.
6. Deficiency of vitamins and minerals
The deficiency of vitamins and minerals that regulate the formation of clots such as deficiency of vitamin C or K alters blood clotting, causing the formation of clots in menstruation.
What to do : In these cases it is important to increase your intake like spinach, orange, strawberry, broccoli or carrot, for example. See more complete lists of foods with vitamin K and vitamin C.
7. Gynecological examinations, abortion or childbirth
Menstruation with lumps may also occur after some gynecological exams, when complications occur during childbirth, or after an abortion.
What to do : usually menstruation stops showing changes in 2 or 3 days, returning to normal in the next cycle. Therefore, if clots continue to appear, it is important to consult your gynecologist.
When menses come with skin
Menstruation can also come with small pieces of skin and this does not mean that the woman had an abortion. These pieces of skin are little bits of the woman's own endometrium, but they are colorless. Just as the blood has the red cells and the white cells, the endometrium can also have this coloration.
If the woman presents menstruation with pieces of skin in 2 consecutive cycles, it is recommended to go to the gynecologist for an observational examination and ask for tests if necessary.
