Why are my periods thick?

Menstruation is a natural,periodic blood flow that is unique to each woman. Their duration, color, composition and volume vary from one individual to another. If you have thickperiods , you may find pieces of endometrium or even clots in your menstrual blood. lWould you like to find out more about periods and the causes of this phenomenon? Here's the lowdown.

Is it normal to have thick periods ?

lFor some women, periods can be a cause for concern. These impressive periods are generally benign and completely normal. In fact, remember that periods is not just blood. They are also made up of :

• Uterine lace, i.e. fragments of the wall of the endometrium (mucous membrane lining the inner wall of the uterus);
• Vaginal secretions (white discharge, also known as leucorrhoea);
• Viscous cervical mucus.

These elements can change the appearance and consistency of menstrual discharge. So, depending on the time of the cycle, you may experience viscous periods containing a few pieces of endometrium, or slimy, redperiods . In most cases, thick periods goes hand in hand with heavy menstruation and does not indicate any particular problem.

Caution! If your blood discharge is foul-smelling and associated with intense pain in the lower abdomen, consult your GP or gynaecologist without delay.

What causes viscous menstruation?

The viscosity of menstruation can result from the presence of two elements: pieces of endometrium and blood clots.

Pieces of endometrium in the blood of periods

Have you noticed lumps in your periods and wondered what they are? It's simply debris from the uterine mucosa, which naturally evacuates through the vagina. In the absence of fertilization, the upper part of the endometrium detaches and is eliminated by the body for renewal. These pieces of endometrium are found in greater quantity on the heaviest days of the cycle. They can give your period a red, sticky appearance.

Blood clots in the periods

It is also possible to observe blood clots in the periods. These are not pieces of endometrium, but coagulated blood. Dark red in color and viscous in appearance, blood clots can be quite disconcerting. However, this phenomenon is completely natural and quite common.

During menstruation, the body secretes plasmin, an anticoagulant enzyme that thins the blood and prevents clots from forming. When you lie down at night, the blood s'evacuates with greater difficulty and s'clots and stagnates. When you wake up in the morning, you may find clots in your sanitary towel or period pants, which is perfectly normal.

The periods abundant also favour ltheappearance of blood clots. Too much flow can be difficult to control, as the body doesn't secrete enough plasmin. If you lose a lot of blood during your period, you're likely to notice blood clots on the days when your flow is heaviest.

periods thick: what are the changes linked to the menstrual cycle?

The phases of the menstrual cycle , as well as the hormones produced during it, can influence the colour of the hair. color and periods as well as their consistency. As a result, your bleeding may be more viscous at certain times, and change color as the days go by.

Color variation

Menstrual ble eding can range in color from light pink to all shades of red to black. At the beginning or end of periods, when the flow is less abundant, bleeding remains darker (dark red, brown or black). This is due to the oxidation of the blood, which remains in contact with the air for longer before being evacuated.

From the second or third day onwards, the blood often takes on a bright red color , meaning that it is rapidly draining from the uterus. It's at this point in the cycle that you may experience thick periods with bits of endometrium and blood clots.

Consistency variation

lThe consistency of periods blood can vary according to the phase of your menstrual cycle, your hormone levels, and the general condition of your body. Menstruation can be very liquid or very thick, depending on the situation.

If you're in good health, your blood will be fairly fluid and you may see a few lumps in your periods. If you have red, stickyperiods , your flow is very abundant and you are evacuating a larger quantity ofendometrium. If you have thickperiods with numerous clots, this means you may be suffering from a deficiency, a hormonal imbalance or that your contraception is unsuitable.

In fact, some pills act on thethickness of the endometrium, resulting in slimy, abundantperiods . During the menopause, women experience hormonal upheavals that can lead to thick, irregularperiods . Finally, periods with blood clots may indicate an iron deficiency(anaemia). So don't hesitate to make an appointment with your midwife or gynaecologist for a check-up.

Is it necessary to consult a health professional in case of periods viscous?

Many women experience thickperiods every month. As we have seen, this is a frequent and generally benign phenomenon. It's perfectly normal to have a viscous, mucus-like menstruation containing a few pieces of endometrium.

If you notice blood clots in your periods, don't be alarmed either! It's a normal occurrence, especially after a period of sleep, when the blood flow s's reduced by lying down. We do, however, advise you to keep an eye on them, especially if you notice that they measure more than 2.5 cm.

You should consider consulting a healthcare professional if:

• You have thickperiods accompanied by severe pain in the stomach and lower back as well as burning;
• You notice that your period has changed color and has a foul odor;
• You are going through menopause and you have slimy, abundant and long periods with blood clots;
• You have noticed dark red discharge and blood clots for more than a week;
• You have dark, thick bloody discharges outside the periods.

These symptoms could indicate an infection, a uterine fibroid or polyp, a gynecological pathology(endometriosis, adenomyosis), or herald a miscarriage. So stay in tune with your body land contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have any doubts.

FAQ periods thick

Is it normal to have bits and pieces in your periods ?

Why are my periods slimy and red?