OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Experiencing Blood Clots During Menstruation

8/6/2025, 2:20:41 PMMale25-34

I am a 34-year-old woman without any significant health issues in my medical background, aside from dealing with heavy menstrual bleeding and cramping. A bit of context: I've given birth vaginally twice, with my children being 13 and 9 years old respectively. Recently, I passed a blood clot that resembled the size of three stacked quarters! I'm feeling quite anxious about it—should this be a cause for concern? It’s worth mentioning that I have a scheduled hysteroscopy on Monday to investigate suspected uterine polyps, along with a D&C procedure. However, I’ve never experienced a clot of this magnitude before—only the usual heavy bleeding and discomfort. I'm torn between whether I should inform my doctor immediately or wait until our appointment on Monday. The whole experience was unsettling; I could literally feel it expelling from my body while I was just standing there.

NauseaStomach PainGastroenterology

Answers (1)

Cony

8/6/2025, 2:21:03 PM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to feel anxious after experiencing a large blood clot during your menstrual cycle, especially since this is a new and unsettling occurrence for you. Given that you're already scheduled for a hysteroscopy to investigate potential uterine polyps, it's important to consider how this new symptom may relate to your overall condition.

Key Points:

  • Passing a large blood clot, particularly one the size of three stacked quarters, can occur during heavy menstrual bleeding and may be linked to conditions like fibroids or polyps.
  • Your scheduled procedure will help provide clarity regarding the cause of your symptoms.

Explanation:

Blood clots during menstruation can happen, especially with heavy bleeding. Clots can vary in size, and larger ones might indicate that your body is expelling more tissue than usual. While it may not always be a cause for concern, it's crucial to monitor your symptoms closely, especially since you're feeling anxious about it.

Next Steps:

  1. Track Symptoms: Keep a record of any additional symptoms you may experience before your appointment—note things like pain level, bleeding changes, or any other unusual symptoms.

  2. Stay in Touch with Your Doctor: Since you're already scheduled for a hysteroscopy on Monday, if you're feeling very anxious or if the bleeding becomes significantly heavier, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss your experience. You can describe the clot size and any other symptoms, which may help them decide if additional evaluation is needed before your procedure.

  3. Prepare for Your Appointment: Write down your questions and concerns regarding the clot, your heavy bleeding, and the upcoming hysteroscopy to ensure all your worries are addressed during your visit.

  4. Self-Care: Ensure you stay hydrated, maintain a balanced diet, and consider using heat pads for any discomfort or cramping.

Your situation is not uncommon, and experiencing concern is completely valid. By tracking your symptoms and staying connected with your healthcare provider, you'll be in a good position to address any issues when you meet with them next.

Related Questions

Concerns About MRI Results in Context of Neuro Symptoms (Non-Epileptic Seizures)

Hello everyone, I'm a 25-year-old individual, assigned female at birth, standing at 5'4" and weighing 190 pounds. I have a complex medical history and a variety of medications that I manage. **My Diagnoses Include:** - Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (hyperadrenergic type) - Occipital and Hemiplegic Migraines - Sciatica - Multiple disc herniations (notably in the cervical region and a recent one at L4, just above where I had emergency surgery in August due to suspected cauda equina syndrome) - Scoliosis - Hip impingement/Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) - Neurogenic bladder resulting from spinal nerve injury (cauda equina) - Osteoarthritis in the hip - Limb weakness and sensory loss - Degenerative disc disease - Sudden onset of non-epileptic seizures **My Medications Include:** - Doxazosin (recently adjusted the dosage considering potential seizure issues) - Gabapentin - Cymbalta - Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) - Lamictal - Nortriptyline - Metoprolol - Ubrevly as needed for Migraine management To summarize my situation briefly: About three weeks ago, I experienced an unusual episode where I was completely immobilized; I couldn't move or even blink. It didn't feel like mere anxiety; it was as if my body ceased to follow my commands. This escalated to losing consciousness and going limp while driving (I've since stopped driving). After going to the ER and having an episode in front of the medical staff, I was told it was functional and was discharged. However, within just two nights, my episodes turned convulsive and occurred in rapid succession, impacting my breathing. Originally, my neurologist was hesitant to provide assistance, prompting me to seek care from another specialist at the same hospital. Consequently, I underwent an overnight video EEG and an MRI. The EEG returned normal findings, leading to the conclusion that my seizures were functional, possibly triggered by POTS, a view shared by my dysautonomia specialist. I admit to being somewhat skeptical of the medical professionals after a prior experience left me with significant spinal damage leading to an emergency operation. Thus, I decided to review my MRI images, although I realize that I'm not well-versed in interpreting them. I came across a few dark spots that I marked and would appreciate a second opinion from knowledgeable individuals. Am I overthinking these findings? Thank you for any insight you can provide!

GastroenterologyInternal MedicineAcid Reflux
Male25-34
2 hours ago

Could a Rotated Spine Be Responsible for My Swallowing Issues?

I am a 34-year-old female with no medications or notable medical history. Recently, I've been experiencing difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia, for the past three to four weeks. During this period, I've only been able to consume soft foods. After undergoing a CT scan, I observed that my spine appears to be rotated. Is it possible that this spinal irregularity could be contributing to my swallowing problems? Thank you for your insights!

IndigestionGastroenterologyAcid Reflux
Male25-34
3 hours ago

Dealing with Loperamide-Induced Constipation: Seeking Solutions

Warning: This discussion involves digestive health topics. I’m a 24-year-old woman, standing at 5’5” and weighing around 140 pounds. I don’t smoke and have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Recently, I was experiencing severe anxiety and dehydration due to some intense diarrhea, which prompted my doctor to prescribe loperamide. I took the initial dose two days ago and haven’t needed additional doses since then. However, now I find myself struggling with constipation and have yet to have a bowel movement. I’ve just started passing some gas, but still no stool. My anxiety persists, which is causing muscle tension and making it hard for me to breathe easily. To be honest, my eating and sleeping habits have been off due to the anxiety. My diet mainly consists of fruits, bread, rice crackers, beans, and jerky, and I only had a proper meal (tacos) today. I’ve also been trying melatonin for sleep, which is something new for me. I started with a 3 mg dose the first night, and I felt incredibly groggy the next day, so I reduced it to 1.5 mg the following night. I took both the loperamide and melatonin on the same evening. Unfortunately, my doctor is unreachable since the health clinic is closed over the weekend, leaving me without guidance. I’ve begun to experience some mild abdominal discomfort, but I think a proper bowel movement would alleviate that. I prefer to avoid over-the-counter remedies, as I’m concerned about jeopardizing my hydration, which has been quite the struggle. I’m wondering if anyone has suggestions for foods that might help, any stretches that could encourage movement, or if I should simply try to relax.

Stomach PainIndigestionConstipation
Male25-34
8 hours ago

Is My Health Declining?

At 25 years old, I’m a non-smoker who only indulges in alcohol during New Year’s celebrations. I manage a few health conditions including a nonverbal learning disorder, sensory processing difficulties, mild depression, dyspraxia, troublesome duodenal bile reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which has been in remission. I also experience sinus tachycardia and maintain low blood volume. I stand at 5 feet, 3 inches and weigh 119 pounds—a drop from 127 at the start of December. My current medications include buspirone and metoprolol, along with a B complex vitamin supplement. Approximately eight months ago, I began noticing unusually large black pieces in my bowel movements. Strikingly similar to bits of diced green pepper but entirely black, these chunks appear daily and vary drastically in size—from resembling a piece of rosemary to about the size of my thumbnail. Typically, I end up with a small handful of these peculiar pieces. The odor has become quite unpleasant, yet I only began to consider this recently. Not long after these occurrences started, I had a short period of worsened IBS symptoms—which was strange since I had been symptom-free for two years. Everything reverted to normal until December, when I had an unfortunate episode followed by a particularly rough evening shortly after consuming a lot of sugar. I anticipated feeling “iffy” for just a few days, but that feeling lingered. Now, nearly three months later, I’m frequently experiencing \\*almost\\* daily flare-ups and usually looser stools that range anywhere from a 6 to a fuzzy 4 on the Bristol Stool Chart. Moreover, I’m feeling slightly more discomfort outside of bowel movements than I have in the past. Attempts to tweak my diet have yielded no improvement. Given my relatively young age, I hope I’m not facing something as serious as colon cancer. The last time I stressed over abnormal bowel movements, a professional informed me I was simply excreting excess fat, which is quite common. I researched potential causes for my current situation, and it seems this black matter is not related to pepper, which is somewhat reassuring. I’m unsure how to determine if what I’m seeing is truly “tar-like.” Occasionally, I feel a pressure in my lower left abdomen, somewhat like trapped gas that persists for several days before easing up. Due to my propensity for unnecessary anxiety regarding my health, I felt compelled to share my situation here. Is this just typical IBS behavior, or should I be more concerned? My parents suggest I remain calm and avoid a GI consultation (as I will soon lose my insurance), but I would prefer to avoid another extensive testing journey. Unfortunately, my quality of life has diminished significantly in recent months, prompting my need for clarity.

BloatingIBSStomach Pain
Male25-34
8 hours ago

Concerns About Abdominal Discomfort

To start with, I feel compelled to mention that I struggle with severe health-related obsessive-compulsive disorder, which leads me to intensely focus on any symptoms I experience, resulting in unnecessary worry. Recently, I began to experience some discomfort in my abdomen, specifically in the area just below my right breast, which has now evolved into tenderness upon touch. This soreness is located beneath my rib cage, and I haven't experienced any changes in my appetite or feelings of nausea. My last bowel movement occurred on Thursday, and as of this morning, the discomfort has shifted slightly, now positioned just above my belly button. I had a regular bowel movement this morning and was able to take a walk without any issues. The pain only manifests when I cough or during the transitions between sitting and standing. Initially, I was concerned about the possibility of a hernia, but I understand that the pain associated with a hernia typically does not shift in location like mine seems to. I should also note that I am classified as overweight and have been living with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), for which I’m taking a proton pump inhibitor. Fortunately, my heartburn symptoms have remained stable, largely influenced by my dietary habits. Over the past year, I've dealt with some weight fluctuations due to medication side effects and stress (ranging from 330 pounds to 275 pounds and back to 310 pounds). Thankfully, I have not encountered vomiting or any changes in my bowel movements. I would appreciate any insights or advice on this matter.

HeartburnStomach PainAcid Reflux
Male25-34
13 hours ago