العربية Waking up to find your sheets stained, changing pads every hour, and passing blood clots the size of golf balls isn’t just inconvenient—it’s terrifying. You’re exhausted, anemic, and worried about what’s happening inside your body.
Every month, the bleeding gets worse. You cancel plans, miss work, and live in fear of embarrassing accidents. The clots are alarming, and you’re wondering if this is normal or something more serious.
Understanding the reasons for why do fibroids cause heavy bleeding and clots is your first step toward relief. The good news? You have treatment options that don’t involve major surgery.
Why Do Fibroids Cause Heavy Bleeding and Clots?
Fibroids trigger excessive menstrual bleeding through several mechanisms. These noncancerous growths in your uterus disrupt the normal menstrual cycle in ways that directly affect blood flow.
First, fibroids increase the surface area of the uterine lining. Think of your uterus as a room—fibroids push against the walls, stretching them and creating more space. When menstruation occurs, there’s simply more lining to shed, which means more bleeding.
Second, fibroids interfere with the uterus’s natural ability to contract. During your period, the uterus normally squeezes to close off blood vessels and control bleeding. Fibroids block these contractions, leaving vessels open and bleeding unchecked.
The location of the fibroids plays a crucial role too. Submucosal fibroids—those growing into the uterine cavity—are the greatest predictor of heavy bleeding. They sit right where menstrual blood collects, directly disrupting the endometrial lining and preventing proper healing.
Blood clots form when bleeding is so heavy that your body’s anticoagulants can’t keep up. The blood pools inside the uterus before being expelled, giving it time to clot. These clots can range from small specks to masses larger than a quarter.
Why Do Fibroids Cause Bleeding Between Periods?
Spotting or bleeding between periods is a common fibroid symptom that catches many women off guard. This happens because fibroids can erode the blood vessels in your uterine wall.
Submucosal fibroids, in particular, can develop a rich blood supply that becomes fragile and prone to spontaneous bleeding. You might notice pink or brown discharge, light spotting, or even heavier bleeding that seems to come out of nowhere.
The pressure from larger fibroids can also cause the endometrial lining to break down irregularly, leading to unpredictable bleeding patterns. Some patients report bleeding after exercise, sex, or even without any apparent trigger.
If you’re experiencing bleeding between periods, track the pattern. Note when it happens, how heavy it is, and any associated symptoms like pain or cramping. This information helps your doctor determine the best treatment approach.
How to Stop Heavy Bleeding from Fibroids
Managing heavy menstrual bleeding from fibroids involves both immediate relief strategies and long-term solutions.
Immediate measures:
- Tranexamic acid tablets can reduce bleeding by up to 50% during your period
- Hormonal birth control may lighten periods, though results vary
- Iron supplements combat anemia from chronic blood loss
- NSAIDs like ibuprofen can decrease flow and relieve cramping
Long-term treatment options:
Uterine artery embolization (UAE) offers a minimally invasive alternative to surgery. This procedure blocks blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink. Most women experience significant reduction in bleeding within three months.
Unlike hysterectomy, UAE preserves your uterus and requires only a tiny puncture in your wrist or groin. You’ll return home the same day and resume normal activities within a week.
Dr. Samir Abdel Ghaffar specializes in this advanced technique, helping women avoid major surgery while effectively treating their symptoms.
Why Do Fibroids Cause Bleeding After Menopause?
Finding blood after menopause is alarming because periods should have stopped. While fibroids typically shrink after menopause due to dropping estrogen levels, they can still cause bleeding in certain situations.
Postmenopausal bleeding from fibroids usually occurs when:
- You’re taking hormone replacement therapy that stimulates fibroid growth
- A submucosal fibroid begins to degenerate or break down
- The fibroid has an unusually rich blood supply that remains active
Any postmenopausal bleeding requires immediate medical evaluation. While fibroids are a common cause, your doctor needs to rule out other conditions. Don’t wait or assume it’s nothing serious.
Fibroids and Blood Clots in Period
The connection between uterine fibroids and blood clots during menstruation is direct and significant. When you’re passing clots regularly, it’s your body’s response to overwhelming blood volume.
Normal menstrual blood contains anticoagulants that prevent clotting. But when bleeding exceeds what these anticoagulants can handle, blood pools and clots form. The size and frequency of clots often correlate with fibroid size and location.
Women with fibroids in the uterine cavity typically pass more clots than those with fibroids in the uterine wall. This happens because blood collects in the cavity before being expelled, giving it more time to clot.
Passing occasional small clots is normal. However, if you’re regularly seeing clots larger than a quarter, soaking through pads in less than two hours, or feeling dizzy and weak, you need medical attention.
Are Fibroid Clots Dangerous?
The clots themselves aren’t dangerous, but what they represent can be. Large, frequent clots signal excessive blood loss that can lead to serious complications.
Anemia is the most common danger. Chronic heavy bleeding depletes your iron stores, leaving you exhausted, weak, and short of breath. Severe anemia can affect your heart and other organs.
Warning signs that require immediate attention:
- Soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours
- Passing clots larger than a golf ball
- Feeling faint, dizzy, or experiencing heart palpitations
- Severe abdominal pain accompanying the bleeding
- Bleeding that doesn’t slow down after two days of your heaviest flow
These symptoms suggest your bleeding has crossed from manageable to dangerous. Don’t tough it out or wait for your next scheduled appointment.
What Causes Fibroids?
The exact cause of fibroids remains somewhat mysterious, but researchers have identified several contributing factors:
- Hormonal influence: Estrogen and progesterone stimulate fibroid growth. These growths contain more hormone receptors than normal uterine tissue, making them especially responsive to hormonal fluctuations.
- Genetic factors: If your mother or sister had fibroids, your risk increases significantly. Certain genetic mutations also predispose women to fibroid development.
- Growth factors: Substances like insulin-like growth factor may play a role in fibroid formation and growth.
Additional risk factors include:
- Being of African descent (fibroids are 2-3 times more common)
- Starting your period early
- Never having been pregnant
- Obesity
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Diet high in red meat and low in fruits and vegetables
Understanding these risk factors doesn’t prevent fibroids, but it helps you monitor for symptoms and seek early treatment.
Can Fibroids Cause Blood Clots in Legs?
This is a crucial distinction: fibroids cause blood clots during menstruation, but they don’t typically cause dangerous blood clots in your legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT).
However, very large fibroids—those bigger than a grapefruit—can occasionally press on pelvic blood vessels, potentially affecting circulation. This is rare and usually requires truly massive fibroids.
The real concern about leg clots comes from surgical treatment of fibroids. Any surgery, including hysterectomy or myomectomy, carries a small risk of DVT. This is one reason why minimally invasive treatments like uterine artery embolization are attractive—they carry significantly lower risks.
If you experience leg swelling, pain, warmth, or redness, seek immediate medical care. These symptoms could indicate a blood clot and require urgent evaluation.
Signs of Fibroids Breaking Down
Fibroid degeneration happens when a fibroid outgrows its blood supply and begins to break down. This process causes distinct symptoms:
- Acute pain: Sharp, severe abdominal pain that comes on suddenly is the hallmark sign. The pain may be constant or come in waves.
- Fever: Low-grade fever sometimes accompanies degeneration as your body responds to the dying tissue.
- Increased bleeding: Some women experience heavier bleeding or spotting as the fibroid breaks down.
- Tenderness: Your abdomen may feel tender to touch, especially over the fibroid location.
Most degenerating fibroids can be managed with pain medication and rest. The process typically resolves within a few weeks. However, severe pain or fever above 101°F warrants medical evaluation to rule out infection or other complications.
Uterine artery embolization intentionally causes controlled fibroid degeneration by cutting off blood supply. The difference is that this happens in a planned, monitored way that minimizes discomfort and maximizes benefit.
Understanding Heavy Menstrual Bleeding and Treatment Options
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) affects roughly one-third of women with fibroids. The impact goes far beyond inconvenience—it affects your quality of life, relationships, career, and overall health.
Menorrhagia is clinically defined as losing more than 80 milliliters of blood per cycle or having periods lasting longer than seven days. But you don’t need to measure—if bleeding interferes with your daily activities, it’s too heavy.
The location of the fibroids matters more than size when predicting bleeding severity. A small submucosal fibroid protruding into the uterine cavity often causes worse bleeding than a large intramural fibroid buried in the uterine wall.
Treatment should be tailored to:
- Your symptoms and their severity
- The size, number, and location of fibroids
- Your age and desire for future pregnancy
- Your overall health and treatment preferences
Dr. Samir Abdel Ghaffar offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning. As a consultant in interventional radiology, he specializes in catheter-based treatments that provide relief without the risks and recovery time of traditional surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do fibroids cause large blood clots?
Large blood clots form when bleeding is so heavy that blood pools in the uterus before being expelled. Fibroids in the uterine cavity are particularly prone to causing this because they create a reservoir where blood can collect and clot. The body’s natural anticoagulants can’t keep up with the volume, resulting in clots that can be alarmingly large.
Can tranexamic acid treat fibroids?
Tranexamic acid doesn’t treat fibroids themselves—it treats the symptom of heavy bleeding. This medication works by preventing blood clots from breaking down too quickly, which reduces menstrual blood loss. Many women find it helpful for managing heavy periods while deciding on definitive fibroid treatment. However, it’s a temporary solution, not a cure for fibroids.
Why am I passing very large blood clots?
Very large blood clots during your period usually indicate excessive menstrual bleeding. When blood flow exceeds your body’s ability to prevent clotting, blood pools and forms clots before being expelled. Fibroids are a common cause, but other conditions like adenomyosis, bleeding disorders, or hormonal imbalances can also be responsible. Any clots larger than a quarter warrant medical evaluation.
When is fibroid bleeding an emergency?
Seek emergency care if you’re soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for more than two hours, passing clots larger than a golf ball, experiencing severe pain, feeling faint or dizzy, or having chest pain or difficulty breathing. These symptoms suggest dangerous blood loss that could lead to severe anemia or other complications requiring immediate intervention.
Why do I pass golf ball sized blood clots during my period?
Golf ball sized clots indicate very heavy menstrual bleeding, often from fibroids that have significantly increased your uterine cavity size or disrupted normal uterine contractions. This level of bleeding isn’t normal and puts you at risk for severe anemia. You should contact your doctor promptly to discuss treatment options that can reduce this excessive bleeding.
Take Control of Your Health Today
Living with heavy bleeding and large clots doesn’t have to be your reality. Understanding why fibroids cause these symptoms empowers you to make informed decisions about treatment.
Uterine artery embolization offers a proven alternative to hysterectomy, preserving your uterus while effectively reducing bleeding and other fibroid symptoms. With over 90% of women experiencing significant symptom improvement, UAE represents a safe, effective path to reclaiming your life. ✨
Contact Dr. Samir Abdel Ghaffar for expert consultation:
London, UK:
- Clinic: 00442081442266
- WhatsApp: 00447377790644
Egypt:
- Cairo Booking: +201000881336
- WhatsApp: +201000881336
Don’t let fibroids control your life. Schedule your consultation today and discover how minimally invasive treatment can help you feel like yourself again.
