Before you sound off the alarm, find out what clots are and why this happens?

Clotting is your body's way of stopping excessive bleeding.

"Clotting is not normal to menstruation. Per cycle you should not lose more than 80 ml of blood. Anything beyond that indicates excessive bleeding and loss of good blood," informs Dr. Ranjana Dhanu, Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, Leelavati Hospital, Mumbai.

How does it Clot?

When blood is retained within the uterus, it tends to clot. When the menstrual blood flows immediately it does not clot.

As a general rule, remember, the redder the blood, the faster it has reached outside. The darker it is, the longer it took to exit the body.

In other words, if the blood is collecting faster than your body can purge it out, it leads to clotting.

Reasons for Clotting

For many women, a little amount of clotting during menses is normal. Some factors that can cause clotting include;

• Excessive bleeding.
  
  
• Enlargement of opening of the uterus during delivery, which results in collection of more blood and thereby, clotting.
  
  
• Contraction of the uterine muscles.
  
  
• Fibroids, which are benign growths on the uterine muscle walls.
  
  
• Endometriosis; i.e.: when the uterine lining tissue grows outside the uterus and attaches itself to other organs.
  
  
• Any obstruction to the outflow of menses such as polyps (benign growths within the uterus) or the shrinking of the cervical passage.

Hormonal changes that cause changes in the monthly ovulation cycle. Hormonal changes could be due to factors like pregnancy, peri-menopausal changes, anticoagulants or steroids, chronic illness or significant changes in weight.

Time of Concern

Consult your gynaecologist immediately, if your menses are;

• Very painful.
• Accompanied with cramps.
• Regularly heavy.
• Accompanied with an increasing number of clots.

Your doctor may advise you to get a physical exam along with an ultrasound and blood tests done.

Based on the cause of the problem, the doctor will recommend the treatment, which mostly includes non-steroidal medication.

In extreme cases, where the clotting is a result of obstruction, surgery may be recommended.

Remember to follow a healthy, balanced diet with regular exercise. This will help you maintain your weight and prevent frequent clotting.