Blood Clots - Fibroids?

[ct2008]

HI -
I've posted in the GYN forum and didn't get a response, and saw this forum and thought I would post here since it seems more appropriate. A little history, I'm 36, 2 children 8 and 6, I've been on and off the pill in the past couple years, mostly off. I've taken emergency contraceptive twice in the past year. The last pack I took of pills was in May of this year and I've only taken them for a month. However since then my periods have been off, I didn't get it for a month and a half, and then I started to get it normally every month since July. My periods have lasted no more than 8 days. My period in September I noticed some ovulation pain I'm assuming, before my period and when menstruating I noticed blood clots. It was more than usual and lasted a couple days. The size of the blood clots weren't very big, but it was bigger than a quarter. My period in October I've had the ovulation pain and during menstruation again in the first couple of days I've had blood clots of more considerable size and my period only lasted 5 days not the usual 7 to 8 days. I've also experienced heavy bleeding during the first couple of days of my period. This time during my period now, the first two days was a light to moderate flow, on the third day I've had blood clots and the largest was the size of half my palm. I would also go to use the bathroom and a clot would come out each time, the bleeding is moderate, and no abdominal pain. The size of clot and the frequency is making me uneasy, this was yesterday. Today in the morning its been just a couple clots with light/moderate bleeding. I made an appointment to see my ob/gyn but he can't see me until December.

I've searched on google (not a good idea...since I'm a hypo) and have seen that it could be fibroids. However, I don't have any of the symptoms except for the clotting. I am a little concerned since my mind jumps to the worst conclusion ever. Cancer! Has anyone have any thoughts? experiences? Anything?

[jns]

Welcome to WH!. I saw your post yesterday and hoped that one of the other admins or another poster would address your question. I don't have the background to answer your question because I have not seen extended discussions about blood clots in menstrual blood. I have seen discussions that indicate that a woman's menstrual cycle is often irregular after going off of hormonal birth control. atskitty2 , Claret , Ashlee T. : do you have any comments on this situation?

[Claret]

I'm on my way out just now but will reply to this tomorrow. There are many reasons why blood clots form.

[Claret]

The build up of the lining of the uterus is what is shed during menstruation. At times this can be heavier than usual or lighter as usual. It all deends upon your hormones that particular month. One of the reasons for blood clots: in preparation for the menstrual bleeding your body produces a anti-coagulant that breaks down the lining into blood. On those months where the lining could be thicker than normal and if the body produces less of this anti-coagulant, then you have incomplete breakdown and clots are passed. The size of these clots can vary but I would suggest you see your doctor if they are the size of the palm of your hand.

There is a second reason why, not spoken about frequently, but women on average are pregnant more often than they suspect. Fertilization generally takes place in the fallopian tubes and travel down to the uterus for implantation. If no implantation occurs, or if it tries to implant in an already shedding uterus, you can then have more clots because fertilization delays the shedding of the lining and this can allow for the blood to coagulate.

Thirdly, fibroids and cysts or polyps can of themselves bleed and clot in the uterus. These require a visit to the doctor.

A single month of problems probably is not a cause for concern. However, if accompanied by bright red blood, or pain, or bleeding more than what would be considered normal during your period or in mid-cycle, then you should also see your doctor.

[amy40]

There is a second reason why, not spoken about frequently, but women on average are pregnant more often than they suspect.

one month I had a lot of clots and always suspected I'd had a miscarriage
earlier that week had my gyno appt and she asked if I was pregnant and she thought maybe I was
but I said no I wasn't so no test was done

since that time I've read that an internal exam can cause a miscarriage in a very early pregnancy

[ct2008]

Thank you for your replies. I'll be going in to see my doctor in December...its weeks from now unfortunately.