Don't be alarmed if you sometimes have lumps in your menstrual blood, or if it is a bit slippery. The thickness of menstrual blood differs for everyone, so don't worry. The composition and texture of your menstrual blood can tell you something about the health of your uterine lining. Menstrual blood also contains uterine tissue, so its texture is often different from normal blood. It can be thick, lumpy, smooth or light – we'll explore that further.
What does it mean if my menstrual blood is watery and thin?
A thin, watery texture is usually a sign of a light flow. If it occurs together with a light pink color of menstrual blood, it can be a sign of being stressed or pre-menopausal.
My menstrual blood is thick, lumpy and clotted, what does that mean?
On the heaviest day of your period, clots and thick clumps can occur in your menstrual blood. Generally this is in combination with a dark blood color. This is because it has had time to build up in your body (also read our blog about the colors of your menstrual blood ). If you like to wear menstrual underwear, you can easily remove these clots with a piece of paper in the toilet for a clean and fresher feeling. If the clots in your blood are comparable to the size of a 50 cent coin or larger, this could be a sign of a miscarriage or uterine fibroid. The latter is a small benign tumor that grows in the uterus. So go to the doctor and get checked.
What if my menstrual blood is stringy?
Some older dark red or dark brown menstrual blood may have a stringy texture. It's a different form of blood clots, and that's totally okay!
What does it mean when menstrual blood is slippery and jelly-like?
Smooth menstrual blood with a jelly-like texture is a mix of high amounts of cervical mucus. Nothing to worry about.
So… What does the thickness of your menstrual blood say?
When you have your period, the texture and color of the blood can change continuously. This is all part of it. It is important to pay close attention and listen to your body. And also to pay attention to the patterns and changes in your body. Only you know what is normal for your body.
If you are in doubt, we advise you to keep a menstrual diary for one or two months in which you keep track of when you have your period, the amount of blood (approximately) and the color and substance of the blood. Take this with you when you go to the doctor. In that case, do not wear menstrual pants for a while, but instead wear white sanitary towels to keep track of the color and texture of your blood. You can download a menstrual calendar from the home doctor site.
