heavy dark blood clots during menstrual cycle - is it normal?

[Anonymous]

the last two months I have been having large (3-4 tbsp) dark blood clots during my cycle. I have also noticed that my stomach is getting bigger - almost like I'm bloated all the time and I'm 115 lbs. I got a negative pregnancy test last month. I've been on nuvaring for almost a year and I'll be seeing a dr in couple of months, but I'm just wondering if this is normal or something that needs an attention now v. waiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the last two months I have been having large (3-4 tbsp) dark blood clots during my cycle. I have also noticed that my stomach is getting bigger - almost like I'm bloated all the time and I'm 115 lbs. I got a negative pregnancy test last month. I've been on nuvaring for almost a year and I'll be seeing a dr in couple of months, but I'm just wondering if this is normal or something that needs an attention now v. waiting.

Go to the doctor asap. Also there is a possibility of severe anemia.

[Anonymous]

do you think it's anemia or other issue? I'll wait couple of days till my cycle is nearing its end and make the appt.

[Anonymous]

Why wait to make the appt? The doctor doesn't care if you are menstruating, and even if he does, the nurse on the phone doesn't.

[Anonymous]

OP, the question is why you're having this all of a sudden. I would call your OB/GYN and ask to speak to a nurse so that you can explain this and ask if you should come in earlier. I've had these blood clots off and on throughout my menstruating life. It's hormonal--sometimes you just have a heavier lining than others. It can lead to anemia if you have this a lot because you're losing more blood this way. Is your period otherwise heavy or long? I tend to have long and heavy periods and I do have to watch for anemia accordingly. It's a simple blood test so you can have that done easily.

[Anonymous]

could be fibroids, especially if you feel bloated. Before I had fibroids removed, my uterus was the size of a 20 week pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:do you think it's anemia or other issue? I'll wait couple of days till my cycle is nearing its end and make the appt.

You can get anemia from the loss of blood that doesn't create the bleeding. I had these issues and you need to be seen by the doctor. Anenia is a by-product.

[Anonymous]

I and the women in my family get these. In me, it has never been anything, but my mom and her two sisters have had serious fibroids (leading to a hysterectomy in 45yo aunt, but only after escalating over years into a few episodes of bleeding that required transfusion). If the clots are new for you and you are also having more bloating than usual, I'd say go in and see if you have fibroids. There are treatments that can be done to shrink them.