QUESTION FOR WOMEN AND/or ANYONE WITH MEDICAL BACKGROUND?

Question

Coumadin is a blood-thinning medicine. Has anyone known it to cause heavy menstrual clotting? Like, really large blood clots.

This seems to be the case with my mother. It seems that everytime she uses Coumadin, her clots get fairly large. The doctors know about this, has anyone had this experience or known anyone?

Answer 1

I don't doubt that your mother has very large clots during menstruation, but it's probably not because of the coumadin -- and if it is, then she needs to be on a different blood-thinner, because it's obviously not doing its job

Answer 2

Actually, it may have more to do with her estrogen levels being out of whack, though the Coumadin is certianly part of the cause as well.

That being said, why on earth are the doctors giving a premenopausal woman Coumadin? Unless she's already had a stroke or heart attack, or has a pretty bad valve/arrythmia problem, I can't see why they'd give her such a strong anticoagulant. Frankly speaking, menstruation while on Coumadin has got to be a very bloody mess.

You need to get the doctor to tell you why they have her on such a strong drug. The risks may not be justified, frankly speaking. Remember, doctors make mistakes pretty often, so don't let your mother be a victim! Push on them and see if there is any way to get her on something more like baby aspirin, or for her to go off couamdin during periods and just have a heparin injection as needed on those days to keep her prothrombin times at just high enough levels.

Answer 3

I agree with the doc up there... anemia may be the cause of this. My mom also had this problem but without the coumadin component, just heavy clumpy mentral periods. Is your mom close to being menopausal? this may just be her age factoring in. If she hasn't, have her get a complete exam and blood panel, you'll get to the bottom of this. There are other anti-platelet drugs out there like plavix and pletal as well which are actually more safe, but it all depends on why she's on it to begin with! good luck!

Answer 4

Insist that she be checked for anemia. The coumadin may be causing her to bleed more than is safe.

There must be good reasons for her to be on coumadin - usually to prevent stroke, heart valve problems, pulmonary emboli or other deadly consequences.

Ask if there is another alternative to coumadin that would be equally effective for her. If the coumadin is for deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, she may do better with a vena cava filter, for example.

If she is not anemic, or her blood count (hematocrit) is not falling, then it is something that may just be watched and periodically (ha! pun!) checked.