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Period clots: normal or not?
Small blood clots during a period are normal, especially on heavier days. Clots larger than about 2.5cm (roughly a 10p coin), lots of clots, or clots with very heavy bleeding are worth mentioning to a GP, as they can be a sign of heavy menstrual bleeding, fibroids or other causes that can be treated.
- Small clots on heavy days are common.
- Clots bigger than about 2.5 cm can be a sign of heavy periods.
- Clots with tiredness, pain or very heavy flow should be checked.
Spotting little dark red, jelly-like bits on a heavy day can be startling, but small clots are a normal part of many periods. When flow is fast, some blood clumps together before it leaves your body.
Are period clots normal?
- Small clots on your heaviest days.
- Dark red or brown blood, especially at the start or end of your period.
- Clots now and then, rather than every period.
When are period clots a concern?
- Clots bigger than about 2.5 cm (the size of a 10p coin). The NHS lists these as a sign of heavy periods, and ACOG uses the size of a US quarter.
- Clots with very heavy flow: changing products every 1 to 2 hours or double-protecting.
- Clots with periods longer than 7 days, severe pain, or tiredness and breathlessness.
- Large clots more than once or twice in a period (Cleveland Clinic).
MythAny clot means something is wrong.
Small clots are common on heavy days. It is large or frequent clots with heavy bleeding that need checking.
Sources
Written by the Splash teamSources checked
This is general information, not medical advice. Splash can’t diagnose. If you’re worried, talk to a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic. In an emergency call 999 (UK) or 911 (US). How we write and check articles.