What is the reason for blood clots during long menstrual periods

Long menstrual periods accompanied by blood clots may be caused by endocrine disorders, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, coagulation dysfunction, miscarriage, or ectopic pregnancy. Blood clots are usually associated with excessive menstrual blood flow, weak uterine contractions, or abnormal blood clotting.

1. Endocrine disorders:

Hormonal imbalances can lead to incomplete thickening and shedding of the endometrium, prolonged menstruation for more than 7 days, and the presence of dark red blood clots in menstrual blood. Commonly seen in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid dysfunction, or during puberty/perimenopause. Adjusting daily routine and reducing stress can improve symptoms, and in severe cases, hormone therapy is needed.

2. Uterine fibroids:

Submucosal fibroids may compress the uterine cavity, affecting uterine contractions, leading to menstrual periods exceeding 10 days and increased blood clots, accompanied by severe anemia. When fibroids exceed 5 centimeters or cause obvious symptoms, uterine artery embolization or myomectomy should be considered. It may be related to high levels of estrogen.

3. Endometriosis:

Ectopic endometrial tissue causes abnormal secretion of prostaglandins, leading to a prolonged menstrual period of up to 2 weeks, the discharge of large amounts of chocolate colored blood clots, and severe dysmenorrhea. Laparoscopic surgery can clear the lesion, and medication such as progesterone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are commonly used for treatment. 4. Coagulation dysfunction: Diseases such as thrombocytopenia or hemophilia can cause abnormal coagulation of menstrual blood, resulting in dark red blood clots larger than 3 centimeters, which can last for 10-15 days during menstruation. Four coagulation tests are required, and vitamin K supplementation or infusion of coagulation factors can improve symptoms.

5. Pregnancy related bleeding:

During natural miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, a large number of blood clots are formed by the mixture of blood in the uterine decidua tissue, and the bleeding time exceeds the normal menstrual period, accompanied by lower abdominal pain. Diagnosis must be confirmed through HCG testing and ultrasound, and incomplete abortion requires curettage surgery.

It is recommended to record the number of bleeding days, blood clot size, and accompanying symptoms during menstruation, and avoid vigorous exercise and cold and raw diets. Moderate supplementation of iron rich foods such as animal liver and spinach, and drinking ginger brown sugar water can promote blood circulation. If there are blood clots larger than a coin in three consecutive menstrual cycles or if the menstrual period exceeds 10 days, gynecological ultrasound, six hormone tests, and coagulation function tests should be performed. Keep your abdomen warm in daily life, change sanitary pads every 2 hours during menstruation, and avoid using cotton tampons to prevent infection.