Blood Clots During Period : Period Blood Clots Causes & Symptoms

What Is A “Period Or Menstruation?

A girl or a woman sheds blood from her vagina every month for 4 to 5 days called menstruation or period or menses.  It is a normal process that happens in all women once they enter their reproductive age, starting at the age of 11 to 13 years.

Why Does Period Happen?

Menses or menstruation happen every month and the cycle differs in each woman. It may be a 28-day cycle in one or a 30-day cycle in another woman.  So why does this happen and that too every month?  It is a natural process and having periods every month means all is okay.  Once menarche starts, every month there is thickening of the endometrial lining of uterus to help fertilized egg embed and continue the process of embryo development if egg is fertilized by sperm.  This lining sheds every month as menses or period when the egg is not fertilized by the sperm. If the egg is fertilized, then this lining is not shed as the egg becomes an embryo after fertilization with the sperm and later on develops into a fetus which is protected by this endometrial lining, hence period does not occur when pregnancy starts up to 9 months till the baby is born and later the lining is shed again. As the lining detaches, it is shed as menses or period and it contains small amount of blood and endometrium.

Blood Clots During Period"

Some Information About Menses Or Periods

• Occurs in females
• Start of menstruation is called as menarche
• Begins from age 8 to 15 years
• Occurs every month for a period of 5-7 days
• Bleeding occurs from vagina, blood is shed from the lining of uterus called “endothelium”
• Tampons, pads or menstrual cups used during this time to prevent from staining of clothes and for hygiene and comfort
• It is the body’s way of preparing for a baby every month, which sheds when the egg is not fertilized.

What Are Blood clots during period?At the time of menses, the lining of the uterus is shed and it comes out of the vagina.  This lining consists of blood and endothelium.  When blood comes out, anticoagulants are released which causes clots in the blood, a natural way of your body controlling bleeding.  Blood clots are normal during periods.  These come out as blobs of blood from the vagina.  But, if these are more in quantity, then visit your doctor to get it checked.Blood Clots Normal During Periods When They Are

• Smaller in quantity
• Occur at the beginning of periods
• Stops after 3-5 days
• Monthly almost same quantity occurs

Blood Clots May Be Abnormal When

• They are larger in quantity
• These occur frequently and are painful with cramps
• Menses are heavier than usual and last longer

Abnormal Blood Clots May Be Due To

• Size of your uterus – if cavity of uterus is large (after multiple pregnancies), it leads to pooling of menstrual blood and clot formation
• The diameter of your cervical canal
• Presence of any adhesions or polyps (small growths in uterus)
• The ability of your uterine muscles to contract
• Adenomyosis (inner lining of uterus breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus causing cramps and bloating also)
• Obstruction of outflow due to block, less production of estrogen hormone, like in menopause (stopping of periods after late 40s).  The absence of stimulation from estrogen causes the Atrophy or shrinkage of cervical canal leading to restriction of blood flow and formation of clots
• Problem pregnancies – ectopic, Miscarriages may all lead to abnormal clotting
• Endometriosis – a condition in which endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus causing pelvic pain and heavy clots
• Fibroids – nonCancerous muscular Tumors in the uterine wall causing blood clots, low back pain and fertility issues
• Cancerous tumors – rare tumors or uterus and cervix lead to heavy menstrual bleeding and clots
• Hormonal imbalance can lead to change in thickness of blood clots and frequency and also cause irregular periods.

Read More On How To Make Your Periods Come Faster Naturally?When Do You Need To Visit Your Doctor For Blood Clots?There is no need to be alarmed after reading the long list of conditions where clots are formed.  It is to inform you about when the blood clots can indicate an underlying condition.Most of the time, the clots during your periods are normal.  You know better every month how is the bleeding, how many days your periods last, the quantity of blood clots that occur and the regularity of your periods.  Women normally keep record the date the periods occur every month.  If you find one month that you are having periods heavier than normal with more blood clots, observe the next month.  Observe whether you also have cramps, pelvic pain or bloating along with this.  If it happens every month and is irregular, painful and heavy, you need to consult your doctor to find out if there is any underlying condition that is causing the clots to be more in frequency.Read More On Blood Clots During PeriodHere Is A List Of Things To Observe When You Find The Blood Clots Are Different Than Usual

• Frequency of your periods – whether it has become irregular consistently
• The bleeding quantity – whether it is heavier than usual, how many pads you are soaking every hour
• The size of the blood clots during your periods – whether they are bigger than usual
• The time period these clots last – whether they last longer than before
• Associated symptoms with clots – pelvic pain, lower Abdominal Pain and discomfort, low back pain, pain after intercourse etc.

Visit your doctor immediately if you have any of the above symptoms, as if left untreated, it may even lead to Infertility. All in all, blood clots are normal during your periods, but as discussed above, if they are any different than usual, consulting your doctor and getting treated the underlying condition will help alleviate this.

Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods) – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

You are going about your daily activities as usual. Suddenly you start feeling back pain, bloating, tiredness, low mood etc.  You look at the date on your calendar and remember that it is nearing your “that time of the month” and hence all these symptoms have again started!  If you have only these symptoms and they pretty much disappear after your periods start, then consider yourself lucky as some women can experience pretty severe cramps, pain just before and during their periods.  Let us learn more about these painful cramps during periods, what causes them and what the treatment is.

What Is Dysmenorrhea?

Painful period in medical term is called as “dysmenorrhea.”  These painful cramps are caused by contraction of uterine muscles due to release of hormone-like substance called prostaglandins during menstruation.  Contraction of uterus press against nearby blood vessels there by cutting off oxygen supply to the muscle tissues, causes pain. There are 2 types of dysmenorrhea.

• Primary dysmenorrheal
• Secondary dysmenorrhea

What Is Primary Dysmenorrhea?Primary dysmenorrhea starts usually at menarche, that is, when girls first begin their periods at the age of 11-13.  Primary dysmenorrhea occurs without any underlying disease, it is common and it recurs every month.  It begins 1 or 2 days before the periods or on the first day of periods.  The cramps and pain may be felt around your abdomen, back, thighs accompanied by fatigue, nausea, vomiting, Headache or Diarrhea.  As mentioned above, these cramps occur due to the uterine muscles contraction.  There are no abnormal findings on examination as they do not signify any underlying disease and become less severe with women age and after delivery.  They disappear completely later on in life.

Primary Dysmenorrhea Treatment1. Medication :  Simple analgesics like aspirin, paracetamol and NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) help alleviate pain in primary dysmenorrhea.

2. Herbal Supplements and Home Remedies :  Some herbal products like ginger, fenugreek, fennel, dill, cinnamon are found to help reduce pain during periods.  Food rich in thiamine and vitamin E when consumed is also said to be very beneficial.  Fish oil also is found to be helpful.  Acupuncture treatment is also found to be helpful in alleviating pain during periods.

3. Other Measures That Help Reduce Symptoms Are

• Place a heat pad or hot water bag over your abdomen
• Get proper rest
• Avoid spicy and fried food during those days
• Avoid too much caffeine
• Do gentle stretching exercise, yoga and meditation
• Exercise regularly
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol as it may worsen your pain and cramps
• Avoid Stressors
• Drink lot of water

When Do You Need To Visit Your Doctor For Primary Dysmenorrhea?

• Usually primary dysmenorrhea occurs every month just before periods start and stops after first or second day of menstrual cycle.
• If you do not get relief with symptomatic measures, your doctor will prescribe you analgesics, muscle relaxants (antispasmodics that suppress muscle spasms) for your discomfort and pain.  Good news is that you do not have to suffer lifelong.  Some girls might wonder why their moms do not suffer from this when they have their periods, it is because this type of dysmenorrhea disappears as you age and after you have pregnancies and deliveries, you just forget what kind of pain it was.

What Is Secondary Dysmenorrhea?

Secondary dysmenorrhea is a condition wherein periods are painful just like in primary dysmenorrhea, but it may be due to some underlying pathological condition.  If it is left untreated, it may continue for a long time unless and until the underlying condition is diagnosed and treated.  This may occur at any age.  You might not be having painful periods usually early in your age, but later on you may start having painful periods and this may become a regular phenomenon for you due to an underlying condition which you are unaware of.

Read more on Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

How Do You Know You Have Secondary Dysmenorrhea?You have never had pain during your periods before, and you observe that you start having pain and cramps during your periods all of a sudden and associated with it your bleeding pattern changes, you have heavier and longer lasting periods, irregular periods or pain in your pelvic region and this continues every month.  This is the time to ponder about what is going on and why?  This is the time you need to visit your gynecologist and get yourself examined for any underlying condition that is causing all of this.  Your doctor will do a pelvic examination and do a few tests to reach a diagnosis.

A Few Underlying Conditions That May Cause Secondary Dysmenorrhea Are

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID :  It is the infection of your fallopian tubes, may affect your cervix, uterus and ovaries.
• Ovarian Cyst or Tumor :  Presence of ovarian cysts can make your periods very irregular and heavy.
• Using Copper IUD or Intrauterine Device (Birth Control) :  Copper IUDs can cause intense cramping and pain and also cause irregular bleeding.
• Uterine Fibroids :  Fibroids are benign tumors developing in the uterine wall that may be the cause of painful and irregular periods.
• Adenomyosis :  the tissue lining the uterus starts growing within its muscular wall leading to pain and cramps during periods.
• Endometriosis :  Here, the tissue from the uterine lining is found outside of the uterus in the ovaries and fallopian tubes, which breaks down and bleeds around the time of menstruation.

How Is Dysmenorrhea Diagnosed And Treated?

• Your doctor will diagnose first whether you are having primary or secondary dysmenorrhea by taking a thorough medical history, which includes your age, your menstrual cycle history and family history.
• She will do a pelvic examination.
• She may do an ultrasound scan, which helps to better diagnose the underlying condition.
• Treating the underlying condition like fibroid, cyst etc. helps treat secondary dysmenorrhea.
• Hysterectomy (removal of uterus) may be done if all other treatments fail to treat secondary dysmenorrhea.

Conclusion

Painful periods do not happen to each and every girl/woman.  Some fortunate ones do not at all suffer from any pain during their periods.  Some may suffer a bit of pain and cramps that can be cured by just symptomatic treatment or lifestyle modifications.  For some, pain and cramps last just a day or two along with their normal menstrual cycle and disappears with age.  Severe cases of pain and cramping along with heavy and irregular periods may indicate some underlying condition.  Visiting your doctor early on and getting diagnosed and treated helps improve your health and lifestyle to a greater extent.

8 Natural Home Remedies For Eczema – Symptoms & Treatment

Skin is the largest organ in the human body. As it is the biggest organ, it tends to face issues. Among the many issues related to the skin, eczema is a commonly known condition like Psoriasis. Eczema is a condition, where the patches of the skin turn out to be rough, cracked, red, itchy and inflamed. Even, some individuals face blisters as well.

The term “Eczema” is otherwise used to talk about atopic dermatitis, which is the most common kind of eczema. Here, Atopic refers to the combination of diseases that involves the immune system. Examples include hay Fever, Asthma and atopic dermatitis. Here, dermatitis is nothing, but the inflammation of the skin. When some individuals, outgrow the condition, others will continue to have it all through the adulthood.

What Are The Symptoms and Signs Of Eczema?Most patients with eczema complain about itching. Even though there are different types of eczema and the appearance look very much similar in all types, there are some differences. For instance, in some types, there will be the distribution of eruption, while in some there will be a bumpy skin. Some of the common types include stasis dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. While the former occurs in the lower leg, the latter is common behind the knee and in front of the elbow.

Is Eczema Contagious?

It is not contagious and an individual cannot get it from another. Studies show that the exact cause of eczema is not known. However, a combination of environmental triggers and genes make it happen in individuals. Whenever an allergen or irritant get into the immune system, the skin cells do not behave normally, thereby leading to eczema flare-ups.

Fast Facts About EczemaHere are some important points to know about eczema before you get into eczema remedies at home:

• Some foods tend to trigger the symptoms of eczema like dairy products and nuts.
• Symptoms differ based on the age of the person with eczema. However, often the symptoms include patches of skin with itches and scaling of the skin.
• Certain environmental factors like pollen and smoke can trigger eczema. However, it is a condition that can be cured.
• Treatment of this skin condition pays attention to healing the damaged skin. Further, the treatment also aims at alleviating symptoms.
• Even though there is not yet a complete cure for eczema, you can manage the symptoms in an effective manner.
• Eczema is not a contagious condition.

Read more on Asteatotic Eczema

Home Remedies For Eczema

As you are looking for the remedies that can reduce the symptoms associated with eczema with some home remedies, here are certain remedies that will help:

1. Coconut OilCoconut oil coagulates when the external climate is less than 750F. So, you will more likely to see it like a white petroleum jelly. However, if you live in warm tropical coasts, where coconut palms grow in abundance, you will find it in liquid form. However, the semisolid to a solid state of this oil in colder places does not make it hard to apply.

How To Use Coconut Oil?

• You can use coconut oil for external application
• If your skin is very much rough in some areas, it tends to break. If this is the case, you can use a coconut oil bandage. To prepare a bandage, warm a tablespoon of coconut oil and dip a cotton pad in it. Place the oil-soaked pad over the rough spot and permit it to remain for about 15-20 minutes. After some time, pat-off the excess oil with a tissue paper.
• Otherwise, you can add 3-5 tablespoons of coconut oil in a bucket of warm water and use it for bathing. Otherwise, you can also add 5 drops of skin-friendly essential oil like tea tree or lavender oil to get better therapeutic value.
• In addition, you can also use coconut oil for oil pulling and as a dietary supplement to prevent flare-ups.

How Does It Work?

Coconut oil is known for its excellent moisturizing properties. Further, it can nourish your skin to prevent further flare-ups. It has the excellent properties to relieve the itching caused by eczema. Due to its antimicrobial effect, it will fight bacteria. Further, this oil is known for its immunomodulation effect. Further, this oil is known for its excellent anti-inflammatory properties and so it is effective against eczema.

2. Rely On TurmericTurmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. You should aim at including at least a spoon of turmeric to your diet on a daily basis to fight eczema. You can also use turmeric externally to fight flare-ups.

How To Use Turmeric?

• You can make turmeric milk by mixing half a tablespoon of turmeric to milk. You can consume it internally to treat bacterial infections that cause itching and redness.
• Otherwise, you can add half a tablespoon of turmeric to boiling water. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes. You can take this solution directly or you can use it for washing the affected area.

Alternative Method

Alternatively, you can make a paste by mixing a tablespoon each of turmeric powder and neem powder with water and apply it on the affected area to relieve rashes and itching.

How Does It Work?

Turmeric irrespective of the form you use has an active ingredient called curcumin. It is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action. Due to its antioxidant property, it will bring down the time taken for the skin to heal.

3. Phototherapy /Light TherapyThe National Eczema Association has stated that phototherapy can bring excellent relief to eczema. It is nothing, but an exposure to the natural Sunlight.

How To Do?

All you have to do to speed up the healing caused by eczema is that you should spend at least 10-15 minutes of time under the sun. You should do this, particularly during eczema flare-ups.

How Does It Work?

As you know, the sunlight is the excellent source of Vitamin D. The exposure to the natural sunlight is called as phototherapy or light therapy. This therapy will increase the vitamin D in your body. In turn, the body will fight effectively against bacteria. Further, it will calm itching and inflammation as well.

4. Apple Cider VinegarYou might have heard that Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV is an effective remedy for a number of ailments in the human body. The relieving thing to you is that it will help you fight against eczema as well.

How To Use ACV?

• Take one part of ACV and one part of water. Dip a cotton ball in the solution. Apply it to the scaly areas of your skill gently.
• If you will have to handle a larger part of the body, just dip a clean paper towel in this solution and place the wet towel on the skin.

Here, you will have to remember an important point. You should not apply this ACV solution if you have cracked or bleeding skin. The reason is that ACV can irritate or sting the cracks.

Alternative Method

Alternatively, you can take an ACV bath to soothe eczema symptoms. All you have to do is to fill a tub with hot or warm water. Then, add 1-2 cups of ACV. Just soak in the tub for about 20-30 minutes. Once, you are done, let the ACV dry on its own. However, if you do not like the smell, you can just rinse it off after some time.

How is ACV Effective?

ACV is long known for its ability to soothe the skin burn and inflammation. Further, it is known for its effective disinfectant property. ACV will also bring the right pH level in your body.

5. Take A Detoxifying Salt BathSome people do not feel comfortable being submerged in water when they have an eczema flare-up. If you feel comfortable staying in the water, you can use a salt bath. It will help with relief from irritation caused by eczema rashes. You can just add Epsom salt to your bathing water. Otherwise, you can also use Himalayan salt in your bathing water.

Ingredients

• Sea salt or Himalayan salt – 1/4th cup
• Epsom Salt – 1/4th cup
• Baking Soda – 1/4th cup
• Apple Cider Vinegar – 1/3rd Cup
• Favorite essential oil – 10 drops

How To Make?

• Dissolve the salts and baking soda in boiling water. Add these salts to a quart size jar and keep it aside.
• Fill a tub with warm water. Make sure that the water is warm and not hot as hot water can cause more damage to your skin. Add the ACV, pour the salt mixture and do not forget to add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil.
• Soak in the water for about 20-30 minutes before taking your regular bath.

How Does It Work?

Epsom salt is rich in magnesium and it will relieve the irritation by increasing the magnesium content in your blood. Himalayan rock salt has a combination of trace elements that will improve the health of your skin to a great extent. ACV, as you know, is good for the skin. The same holds true for baking soda as well. Choose an essential oil with a soothing effect on the skin. The oil can be chamomile, bergamot or lavender oil.

6. Aloe Vera GelAloe vera is an excellent choice if you look for a remedy for topical application. The good thing about this remedy is that it will cool the burning sensation caused by eczema.

How To Use Aloe Vera Gel?

• Take aloe vera gel directly from the aloe vera plant. Apply it on the affected area. It will relieve the burning sensation.
• Otherwise, you can also get the aloe vera gel available from a health store. Here, you should make sure that the product does not have alcohol as an ingredient. The reason is that alcohol can burn your skin and can worsen the dryness.

How Does It Work?

Aloe vera gel is generally known for its anti-inflammatory property. Further, its ability to sooth the skin due to its soothing property will help with reducing the symptoms of eczema.

7. Jojoba OilJojoba oil is effective in addressing any skin condition. It can treat anything right from sunburn to eczema.

How To Use?

• Apply jojoba oil to your skin directly
• As jojoba oil is excellent carrier oil, you can combine other essential oil as well with this oil for external application.

How Does It Work?

• Jojoba oil works mainly because it resembles closely with the human sebum. Jojoba oil contains wax esters that the skin can absorb easily. Further, this oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties to improve the symptoms of eczema. As it is carrier oil, it will improve the absorption rate of other topical ointments and creams.

8. Oatmeal BathsIt is true that preparing for an oatmeal bath is a troublesome task. However, it will relieve the troubles associated with eczema.

How To Use?

• Take a cup of ground oatmeal
• Add the oatmeal to a bucket of warm water for bathing
• Wait for some time until the consistency is observed
• You can soak yourself in this water for about 15-30 minutes before taking a bath
• You can even add essential oils to the bath to get a relaxing effect.

How Does It Work?

Oatmeal helps by relieving the itching sensation in your skin caused by eczema. Further, it will help with retaining the moisture content in your skin to prevent flare-ups.

So, you can try any of the remedies mentioned above to treat the symptoms of eczema. Bathing is an effective solution as it will relieve the burning sensation and itching. However, you should make sure to follow the tips below.

Tips For Bathing and Moisturizing For Eczema

• Make sure to take at least one bath or shower a day
• You can use lukewarm and not hot water for bathing
• Also, make sure to bath for about 10-15 minutes
• Remember not to scrub your skin when bathing
• You can use a gentle cleanser. Remember not to use soap
• When you have a higher level of flare-ups avoid cleansers to prevent irritation.