This is part 4 of the series “Why Am I Bleeding So Heavy”.  You can follow these links to  the previous articles:

 

The 4 Causes of Heavy Bleeding You Should Know About

Part 1 Hormone Imbalance

Part 2 Abnormal Growths in the Uterus

Part 3 Adenomyosis

 

Making Blood Clots

The human body is an amazing creation.  It uses blood to bring oxygen and nutrients around to all organs and structures of the body.  This blood is pumped around in a complex system of arteries and veins.  When an injury or disease occurs to one of these vessels and allows blood to escape from the circulatory system, the coagulation cascade is put into action.  The blood flow at the site of the injury is plugged up by the formation of a clot.  Eventually the blood vessel heals or is blocked off by the clot so no more blood escapes.

 

The coagulation cascade is a complex interaction between 2 components in the blood.  The first is a series of chemicals referred to as coagulation factors.  The second is a population of cells found in the blood called platelets.  These 2 components interact together to plug up the hole in a blood vessel at the site of injury.

 

The factors work together to form a net or web across the site of injury.  This net will become the foundation for both clot formation and later healing of the blood vessel.  The platelets in turn bind to the net and plug up spaces in the net.  Eventually the forming clot will cover the hole and stop the larger red blood cells from escaping.  This process is helped by the constriction of the vessel caused by these factors and other inflammatory chemicals, reducing the amount of blood flowing through the vessel.

 

This process happens with the menstrual cycle as well.  After the lining of the uterus sloughs off, the vessels are open, injured if you may.  The coagulation cascade, along with vessel constriction and uterus muscle contraction stops the bleeding and allows the endometrium to heal in preparation for the next menstrual cycle.

 

 

Nosebleeds, Bruising, and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Some women have problems which prevent coagulation from occurring as it should. These problems can occur because of low amounts of the clotting factors.  They can also occur because of low numbers of platelet cells (thrombocytopenia) or problems with those cells.

Women who have problems like this can have symptoms that reflect problems with clotting such as nosebleeds or easy bruising.  It is also seen as the symptom of heavy bleeding.  These symptoms can occur at any time in a woman’s life.

 

 

How Can I know If I Have This Problem

Heavy menstrual bleeding caused by clotting abnormalities is not something that you can diagnose on your own.  You need a health care provider familiar with the treatment of heavy bleeding to work with.

As part of the evaluation, a history will be taken where you’ll be asked about nosebleeds, easy bruising, or other bleeding problems.  Many of these illnesses are inherited so a taking family history may prove useful.  An examination may reveal bruising suggestive of these problems.  Your health care provider can run a series of blood tests appropriate to this problem.