Why is My Period So Clotty and Painful?

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Both clotty and painful periods can be caused by the body’s natural processes, but they can also be a red flag for an underlying medical condition such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS or uterine fibroids. Hence it’s important to understand the difference.

Causes of Blood Clots and Painful Periods

It’s normal for your period to contain some blood clots, especially on your heaviest flow days. However, if you have frequent or large blood clots (larger than a one-rupee coin), it could be a sign of a heavier flow than is considered healthy. 

The most common reason for painful periods (dysmenorrhea) is an excess production of prostaglandins. A higher level of prostaglandins results in severe pain. However, large blood clots and painful periods together can be a symptom of:

  • Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing severe pain and heavy bleeding.
  • Adenomyosis: A condition where the uterine lining grows into the muscle wall of the uterus, leading to an enlarged uterus, heavy bleeding, and painful cramping.
  • PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): A hormonal disorder that can lead to irregular and heavy periods.
  • Uterine Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding, large blood clots, and pelvic pain.
Informational graphic with a pink and dark blue background addressing the question: "Why is my period so clotty and painful?" A speech bubble explains that blood clots during period can occur with heavy menstrual flow, and pain is often due to an overproduction of prostaglandins causing period cramps. Below, smaller text states that large blood clots and painful periods symptoms together could be signs of underlying medical conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS symptoms, or uterine fibroids pain. A cartoon female doctor icon appears next to the main explanation. The graphic ends with the campaign message "STOP The Period Pain." Which is a knowledge initiative campaign by Blue Cross Laboratories the makers of meftal spas.

Your Journey to #StopThePeriodPain Starts Here

Every month, millions of Indian girls & women suffer in silence, told that their severe period pain (dysmenorrhea) is “normal.” Our mission is to break that silence. #StopThePeriodPain campaign is here to empower you with 3 simple truths:

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Period Pain Calculator Section

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For real, how bad is your pain? Our interactive tool uses a 1-10 pain scale and a few quick questions to help you get the full picture. In just a few clicks, you’ll know if your pain is a chill or a major red flag.

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References:

  1. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology – Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and its effect on quality of life among nursing students
  2. Prevalence And Management Of Dysmenorrhea Among The Adolescents Of Selected Schools Of Rehan, Distt Kangra
  3. A Study of School Absenteeism During Menstruation Amongst Adolescent Schoolgirls in An Urban Area of North India
  4. Times of India – Why ‘Period pain is normal’ might be the biggest myth in women’s health
  5. Health Radius – Top 5 menstrual problems women shouldn’t ignore
  6. Financial Express – Period pain may not always be routine