Why Am I Passing Clots During My Period?

Passing clots during menstruation is a fairly common phenomenon that many women experience. However, it can also be associated with several different women's health issues.

Considerations

• Passing clots during menstruation is not unusual. Many women pass clots as part of the normal course of their periods.

  Sometimes, passing clots can be a symptom of a condition or disease. If you have recently begun to pass clots, discuss this with your health care provider.

Adenomyosis

• A thickening of uterine tissue, adenomyosis, also causes heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding that may include clotting.

Endometriosis

• Endometriosis, which is growth of the endometrial tissue that lines the uterus outside the uterine wall, is characterized by heavy menstrual bleeding and clotting.

Uterine Fibroids

• Uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous tumors of the uterus, often cause heavy menstrual bleeding and clotting.

Dysmenorrhea

• Dysmenorrhea, or painful periods, is often accompanied by heavy menstrual bleeding and clotting. While dysmenorrhea is many times a symptom of another women's health issue, it also occurs on its own.