Menstrual Blood Clots
Females, especially teenagers, oftentimes find themselves hesitant to seek for medical advice for problems related to reproduction. Menstrual problems throughout the child bearing years are abundant. Dysmenorrhea, polycystic ovary disease, or even simple abdominal cramps may be some of them. The simple fact remains—women should be responsible enough to observe their own health.
Are Menstrual Blood Clots Normal?
Blood clots during the menstrual cycle may be entirely normal, as long as it is usually small in size and few in number. It must not also be regularly present at every menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle involves sloughing off of the lining of the uterus, which usually thickens in anticipation of pregnancy. If no egg has been implanted, the endometrial lining is shed off, leading to menstruation. The amount of blood lost is usually around 4-12 teaspoons per cycle, at an average of 40 mL per pad.
These may be due to two things:
- Sloughed endometrial lining. Large parts of the lining are shed off, which appear as equally large clots.
- Anticoagulants. The body at times may regard menstruation as a form of bleeding. It is normal for the body to release natural anticoagulants to stop what it perceives as bleeding. During heavier menstrual days, the blood is expelled rapidly, which do not give sufficient time for anticoagulants to do their job. As a result, large clots form.
- If clots larger than a coin are observed, it may be necessary to consult a health care specialist, especially an ob-gynecologist.
Menstrual Blood Clots Remedy
Although it would be best to consult a health provider, there are natural remedies which women can use at home just before their periods. These include:
- Iron. A diet high in iron will help prevent different forms of anemia associated with menstruation. Foods rich in iron such as liver, organ meats, and eggs can help with any blood problem.
- Vitamin K. This vitamin helps promote optimal blood clotting function. It can also help prevent easy bruising and bleeding.