Unusual Blood Clot and Heavy Menstrual Flow?
I honestly created this account specifically to share this experience, as it's quite awkward and embarrassing, but I'm genuine, I swear! I’m a 16-year-old female, and I've been experiencing my menstrual cycle since I was around 12, so I’m familiar with how periods typically go. However, what happened recently struck me as very strange. To give you some context, for the past two days, I had been spotting and using a panty liner. Then, while I was in the bathroom, just relaxing after a bathroom break, I felt something strange happen. Out of nowhere, a significant blood clot came out, and suddenly, I was surprised to find blood flowing as if from a faucet! There was no pain involved, but I was utterly taken aback by the experience. I've never encountered such a situation before! My periods are generally quite light, but I must note that my last cycle lasted for an astonishing five months, and it’s been three months since that ended. I’m beginning to feel like I could really use a doctor's opinion on this matter, but I’d love to hear your thoughts too. Am I in serious trouble? 🤔 I managed to put on a large pad when everything started to slow down and decided to share my story here while I gathered myself together.
Answers (1)
3/30/2025, 3:10:35 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re experiencing a concerning and unusual situation with your menstrual cycle. Heavy bleeding with blood clots can be alarming, especially since you mentioned that your periods have generally been light and you recently had an extended cycle.
Explanation
Heavy menstrual bleeding (often referred to as menorrhagia) and passing large blood clots can be caused by several factors, including hormonal imbalances, uterine abnormalities, or other health issues. Given that you had a very long period before and now are experiencing a sudden increase in flow, it’s understandable to seek answers.
Next Steps
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Pay careful attention to your bleeding. Note how heavy it is, if you pass any more blood clots, and any other symptoms (like dizziness or fatigue). This information can be helpful.
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Stay Hydrated: Ensure you’re drinking plenty of fluids. Heavy bleeding can lead to dehydration, so it’s important to keep yourself hydrated.
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Use Feminine Hygiene Products: Continue using pads or menstrual products that can handle heavy flow. Change them regularly to maintain hygiene.
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Track Your Cycles: Since your period lasted five months prior, keeping a record of your menstrual cycles, including dates, flow intensity, and any associated symptoms (like pain or fatigue), can provide valuable insight.
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Consider Resting: If you’re feeling unusually fatigued, take time to relax and rest.
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Seek Medical Advice: While self-care can help manage some symptoms, given the nature of your experience and the length of your previous cycle, it’s important to reach out to a healthcare professional as soon as you can. They can provide a thorough evaluation and determine if any further investigation or treatment is necessary.
Remember, you are not alone in this, and seeking help is a positive step towards understanding your body and finding a solution.
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# 7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options ## [7-Month-Old] Identified with Abernethy Malformation (Congenital Portosystemic Shunt) - Treatment Methods? **Age:** 7 months **Gender:** Female **Height:** Age-appropriate **Weight:** Currently 9 kg, was 2.8 kg at birth **Ethnicity:** Asian **Duration of Symptoms:** Present since birth **Location:** Uzbekistan **Pre-existing Health Issues:** Abernethy malformation (congenital portosystemic shunt), liver hemangiomas, chronic jaundice, anemia **Current Treatments:** Supportive management --- ## INITIAL PRESENTATION (June 2025 - July 2025) Our daughter arrived on **June 27, 2025**, presenting with: - Birth weight: **2.8 kg** - Marked jaundice (yellowing of skin and sclera) - Pale or clay-colored stools - **Bilirubin level: 245 μmol/L** (typically <20) An immediate ultrasound indicated multiple liver anomalies, initially thought to be hemangiomas. --- ## FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT (August 1, 2025 - 1 Month Old) ### Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) with 3-Phase Contrast (August 1, 2025): **RESULTS:** - 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7 Months Old) - **Weight:** 9 kg (good growth rate in spite of condition) - **Jaundice:** Continues to be present (yellow skin) - **Stools:** Remain pale/clay-colored - **Development:** Achieving appropriate milestones - **Energy:** Appears to have a good energy level - **Feeding:** Normal appetite --- ## QUESTIONS FOR r/AskDocs We have been informed this is **Type 2 Abernethy malformation** (portal vein present). **Three treatment avenues have been proposed:** ### Option 1: **Endovascular Coil Embolization** (minimally invasive approach) - A catheter is inserted via the leg vein to access the shunt and deploy coils/plugs to close the abnormal vessels - Pros: No surgical incision, minimal discomfort, short hospital stay (2-4 days), no scars, enhanced safety - Duration: 1-2 hours - Recovery: 2-4 weeks for jaundice to show improvement ### Option 2: **Open Surgical Intervention** - An incision in the abdomen to ligate abnormal vessels and redirect blood to the liver - Pros: Direct visualization, effective results - Cons: Surgical scar, longer recovery time (7-14 days in hospital) - Duration: 2-4 hours ### Option 3: **Liver Transplantation** - We have been advised this is not necessary as the portal vein is functional and liver health is improving. --- ## SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. **With a functional portal vein (6.1 mm) and improving liver function (ALT normalized), is it advisable to pursue endovascular closure as the preferred treatment?** 2. **Despite ALT levels improving, the bilirubin remains consistently high (242). Should this be a cause for concern? Is there a prospect for it to normalize post shunt closure?** 3. **Are the hemangiomas/nodules (11.6×20.7 mm) linked to the shunt? Will they likely resolve following shunt repair?** 4. **How urgent is the proposed intervention? Is immediate action required, or is there flexibility to wait a few months?** 5. **What complications should we be vigilant for during the waiting period?** 6. **Regarding endovascular closure - what is the average success rate for infants aged 7 months? Are there concerns regarding the shunt size (9.9 mm)?** 7. **The measurement of the portal vein has shown improvement from 6.1 mm to 3.9 mm; should this be perceived as a positive sign or a reason for concern?** 8. **Are there special directives (diet modifications, medications) we should consider while awaiting the procedure?** 9. **Post-procedure, how long should we expect it might take for:** - Normalization of bilirubin levels? - Return of stool color to normal? - Resolution of jaundice? - Regression of hemangiomas? 10. **Can you recommend any specialized centers for pediatric Abernethy malformation treatments? We are located in Uzbekistan but are prepared to travel (to Turkey, Russia, South Korea, etc.)** --- ## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - No family history of hepatic diseases - Pregnancy and delivery were normal - No additional congenital defects identified - Immunizations up to date - No history of bleeding disorders - No signs indicative of encephalopathy - Child is alert and engaged --- **I can supply actual MSCT images and comprehensive lab reports if they would be of assistance.** We sincerely appreciate any insights you can provide. We are striving to make the most informed decision regarding our daughter’s care and highly value expert medical opinions. **TL;DR:** 7-month-old diagnosed with Abernethy Type 2 malformation (9.9 mm portocaval shunt, patent portal vein). Liver functionality is improving (normalized ALT) while bilirubin remains elevated (242). Evaluating options between endovascular coil embolization and open surgery. Seeking expert advice on optimal treatment strategy and timing.