is this normal?

Question

i'm in my mid-twenties, and when i have my period, it's mostly clumps and not a flow anymore? It's almost to the point that nothing absorbs into a tampon, it just all falls out as soon as i remove it. please tell me if this is normal.... could it be caused by stress?

Answer 1

I would say that you are most likely not taking in enough fluids. Drinking extra water (as well as avoiding salt) during your period helps your flow to be smooth and avoids cramping. Try drinking lots of water the next time you have your period. If this does not seem to clear up some of the clumpiness (a little is normal, though), then I would make an appointment with your doctor.

Answer 2

I did that for a couple years (back a long time ago) I was OK I guess. I have had two children since then and a went thru menapause just fine also (with a little emotional transition that is)
But I would see a doctor if I were you. Your system may be trying to get rid of something or you may be slightly anemic... maybe you just need some iron? A lot of young women need good vitamins. But there are a hundred different things could be going on and a good doctor would be able to give you important information.
Take care of your body... trust me when items burn out there are only used parts at best!

Answer 3

No, it's not good that it is all clumps..this means there is a problem going on some where...I wouldn't panick over it, but I would get in to see a Gyno as soon as possible.

Answer 4

Just call your gynecologist. It is very common, but needs to be checked out. I am an ob/gyn ultrasound tech and is perform sonograms on women very often with this problem. Most often it is nothing. Very occasionally it is due to a hormonal or structural (endometrial polyp vs fibroid) problem.

I also know personally how it feels to have that problem. I absolutely HATE pads, but I have to use one as a back up because of the clots sliding past the tampon. Yuck.

Here is what is said at this website:
http://www.centerforendo.com/articles/clots.htm
Menstrual Clots: What Do They Mean?
by Robert B. Albee, MD

Menstrual clots are normal for many women, but they can also signal changes that may or may not be significant. In this article, I'll try to explain the whys and wherefores of clots.
What Are They?
Clots are the natural result of your body taking care of you. They are a natural way of controlling bleeding. Scientifically, it is a complicated and involved process that leads to fibrin being formed into a matrix.

On a scraped knee, this mechanism leads to scab formation. But inside the uterus, the process results in a clot. Because blood in the uterus is mixed with many other cells and endometrial tissue, there is a difference between this clot and those seen on the skin.

Whenever blood pools or is retained inside the uterus it is likely to clot. When menstrual blood and cells pass immediately outside the body, clots are less likely . As a general rule, the redder the blood is, the faster it has reached the outside. The blacker it is, the longer it took to exit the body. If the blood is accumulating faster than the body’s ability to transfer it out of the uterus, clots are the result.

Are Clots Ever Normal?
Yes. Many women routinely have some clotting during menses. Factors that determine whether clots will occur include:

the size of the uterus
the ability of the uterine myometrium (muscle) to contract
fibroids
adenomyosis
the diameter of the cervical canal through which the blood must flow
any obstruction to the outflow of menstrual products such as polyps, adhesions, etc.
How Should Clots be Evaluated?
The most important indicators are the blood count (hematocrit) and the duration of clotting. If a woman can maintain a normal blood count without developing anemia, and the clotting does not last more than the length of her normal period, it is usually considered within acceptable limits.

What Else Can it Mean?
When there is a significant change in the amount or duration of clotting, we should consider several possible explanations.

Pregnancy: When pregnancy is a possibility, it should always be tested for. Problem pregnancies, miscarriages, and ectopic pregnancies can all be associated with clotting.

Hormonal Changes:
Short term: Hormone production can vary for many reasons. Some of these include failure to ovulate, ovarian cysts, and medication. It is not uncommon for any woman to experience an occasionally bizarre menses with unusual clotting. The majority of these occurrences are short-lived and followed by normal periods.

Chronic: Other factors that can change hormone production on an ongoing basis include peri-menopausal changes, chronic illness, significant weight gain or loss, and use of certain long term medications such as steroids, or prolonged failure to ovulate.

Changes in the Uterus:
Fibroids: Called leiomyomata, fibroids are very common. They are benign growths of muscle that form spheres occupying space within the normal muscle of the uterine wall. They can grow into the inside of the uterus (submucous), stay within the wall (intramural), or grow from the outside surface (subserosal). Sometimes they grow on a stalk (pedunculated). If they interfere with the ability of the entire uterus to contract, bleeding will increase and clots are likely to form.

Adenomyosis: When this abnormality occurs, it is commonly associated with a reduction in the ability of the muscle fibers in the uterine wall to contract. This, in turn, can result in clotting. (For more information on adenomyosis, please see Dr. Albee's newsletter on it.)

Large Uterus: After multiple pregnancies or multiple births, the uterus may remain larger than it was pre-pregnancy. If the cavity of the uterus enlarges, more pooling of menstrual blood may occur. This results in an increase in clotting.

Polyps: Polyps or other growths inside the uterus can act as an obstruction to the outflow of blood during menses. This can increase clotting. These growths can also bleed themselves.

Outflow Obstruction: Anything that can partially block the outflow of fluid from the uterus during menses can contribute to clotting. The most common form of outflow obstruction results from natural changes after menopause when hormone levels drop. Without estrogen stimulation, the cervical canal may atrophy, or shrink. This can restrict the flow of blood, so clots are likely to form. This problem does not surface unless there is some reason for the post-menopausal woman to bleed. Then she may notice that the bleeding is not at all like her menstrual period used to be.

Does Endometriosis Cause Clotting?
In my experience about 30-40% of endometriosis patients experience abnormal bleeding, which may or may not include clotting. In general, I feel this is an indirect effect and not a direct one. For example, a woman who develops a large endometrioma may find that it interferes with normal ovulation. This could indirectly lead to abnormal bleeding and possibly influence clot formation.

In Summary
Clots in and of themselves are generally not harmful. One menstrual cycle that is different from your normal pattern probably doesn’t mean anything. But if changes continue, you should bring them to the attention of your physician.

Answer 5

try drinking more water then anything.