Healthy period blood can contain visible pieces of the uterine lining. These small pieces of tissue, or clots, in the blood are not a cause for concern.
However, very heavy bleeding or large clots can be a sign of menorrhagia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), menorrhagia is when a person has unusually heavy menstrual bleeding or periods that last for more than 7 days.
The CDC recommend seeing a doctor if a person has one of the following:
bleeding that requires a person to change a tampon or pad after less than 2 hours
blood with clots that are the size of a quarter or bigger
The CDC also list the following as causes of menorrhagia:
- growths on the uterus, such as uterine fibroids or polyps
- hormonal imbalances
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- intrauterine birth control devices (IUD)
- bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand disease
- certain medications, such as aspirin and anticoagulants
- cervical or uterine cancer
Without treatment, menorrhagia can lead to complications, such as anemia or chronic fatigue.
When to see a doctor
It is advisable for people to consult a doctor or gynecologist for any of the following symptoms:
- new or unusual vaginal discharge
- irregular periods that change in length and flow from one month to the next
- bleeding after menopause
- missing three or more periods
- foul-smelling vaginal odor
- thick gray or white vaginal discharge
- itching in or around the vagina
- fever
Anyone who is pregnant and notices any bleeding or unusual vaginal discharge should speak with their doctor or obstetrician.
