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What Causes Clots After Missing Periods?
Question: I missed two periods, and a few days after my second missed period I experienced 'normal' menstrual cramping followed by very dark 'larger' clots and mucous discharge. The following day I had very dark small clots.
During the time of my missed periods I experienced several signs of early pregnancy symptoms, however had numerous negative results on home pregnancy tests.
I have been on the pill for over a year and have had very regular 28 day cycle.
I'm currently without health insurance as I have recently made a cross-country move.
Could you provide any potential insights? I know I need to see a healthcare provider for a true assessment. But I'm looking for some direction so I may know what to expect and make financial plans accordingly- whether I should quickly schedule an appointment locally and pay the fees out of pocket, or fly back to my previous town and see my regular provider with whom I still have insurance coverage.
During the time of my missed periods I experienced several signs of early pregnancy symptoms, however had numerous negative results on home pregnancy tests.
I have been on the pill for over a year and have had very regular 28 day cycle.
I'm currently without health insurance as I have recently made a cross-country move.
Could you provide any potential insights? I know I need to see a healthcare provider for a true assessment. But I'm looking for some direction so I may know what to expect and make financial plans accordingly- whether I should quickly schedule an appointment locally and pay the fees out of pocket, or fly back to my previous town and see my regular provider with whom I still have insurance coverage.
Brief Answer:
NO NEED FOR AN EMERGENCY VISIT.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
First question - how soon can you see your regular provider with whom you still have insurance coverage ?
If it is reasonably early, within a week, do that.
There is no emergency as such right now.
The clinical picture that you describe could belong to one of a number of things, without a few more investigations, it is impossible to say what.
Have you been regularly on the pill ?
With negative pregnancy tests, pregnancy is reasonably ruled out.
Only two pregnancy related complications - a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy ( pregnancy outside the uterus ) - can be missed.
For that you need to have a blood pregnancy test , make that the first investigation that you would be paying for.
That would pick up a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
Missed and irregular cycles sometimes happen while on the pill, for no reason, however a workup is in order so that you stay reassured.
You should be having an internal exam, a Pap smear, a pelvic ultrasound scan and hormonal evaluation ( FSH, LH, TSH, Prolactin, OGTT, DHEAS, Free testosterone ).
THis would rule out conditions such as polycystic ovaries, thyroid hormone disturbance, polyps, fibroids, a cervical growth etc as potential causes.
Also, common situations like - stress, weight changes, exercise, travelling ( you mentioned a cross country move recently ), smoking, drinking, late nights, erratic eating - can all precipitate a missed period and altered spotting.
The workup is what I outlined, and what you should be having ideally.
You can fly back and have it with insurance.
I see no emergency reason to have it right away.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
NO NEED FOR AN EMERGENCY VISIT.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
First question - how soon can you see your regular provider with whom you still have insurance coverage ?
If it is reasonably early, within a week, do that.
There is no emergency as such right now.
The clinical picture that you describe could belong to one of a number of things, without a few more investigations, it is impossible to say what.
Have you been regularly on the pill ?
With negative pregnancy tests, pregnancy is reasonably ruled out.
Only two pregnancy related complications - a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy ( pregnancy outside the uterus ) - can be missed.
For that you need to have a blood pregnancy test , make that the first investigation that you would be paying for.
That would pick up a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
Missed and irregular cycles sometimes happen while on the pill, for no reason, however a workup is in order so that you stay reassured.
You should be having an internal exam, a Pap smear, a pelvic ultrasound scan and hormonal evaluation ( FSH, LH, TSH, Prolactin, OGTT, DHEAS, Free testosterone ).
THis would rule out conditions such as polycystic ovaries, thyroid hormone disturbance, polyps, fibroids, a cervical growth etc as potential causes.
Also, common situations like - stress, weight changes, exercise, travelling ( you mentioned a cross country move recently ), smoking, drinking, late nights, erratic eating - can all precipitate a missed period and altered spotting.
The workup is what I outlined, and what you should be having ideally.
You can fly back and have it with insurance.
I see no emergency reason to have it right away.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. I have been rather convinced the missed periods were due to increased stress as of late. The discharge that i experienced elevated my concern a bit.
The pregnancy-like symptoms that i experienced, i felt could also be attested to increased stress- headaches, on and off nausea, absence of appetite and then sudden food cravings. I had some breast tenderness and mild cramping here and there, but not to the extent that i had experienced in my previous pregnancy.
I have not missed a pill, although there were minimal times that i have missed taking it at the exact same time each day.
Im not sure when i can make it back to my previous town for an appointment, but ill make some calls locallay and get an idea of what out of pocket costs may be incurred.
A miscarriage was my preliminary thought with the discharge i experienced.
The pregnancy-like symptoms that i experienced, i felt could also be attested to increased stress- headaches, on and off nausea, absence of appetite and then sudden food cravings. I had some breast tenderness and mild cramping here and there, but not to the extent that i had experienced in my previous pregnancy.
I have not missed a pill, although there were minimal times that i have missed taking it at the exact same time each day.
Im not sure when i can make it back to my previous town for an appointment, but ill make some calls locallay and get an idea of what out of pocket costs may be incurred.
A miscarriage was my preliminary thought with the discharge i experienced.
Brief Answer:
GET MINIMUM WORKUP DONE NOW
Detailed Answer:
What you can do is just have a pelvic scan and a blood pregnancy test.
That much is warranted early.
The rest of the workup, you can have it done at leisure once the insurance is managed, and that too,if the symptoms recur.
If the pregnancy test and the scan are normal, and this is not the norm for you, you can be reasonably sure it is due to a combination of stress and travelling.
Take care.
GET MINIMUM WORKUP DONE NOW
Detailed Answer:
What you can do is just have a pelvic scan and a blood pregnancy test.
That much is warranted early.
The rest of the workup, you can have it done at leisure once the insurance is managed, and that too,if the symptoms recur.
If the pregnancy test and the scan are normal, and this is not the norm for you, you can be reasonably sure it is due to a combination of stress and travelling.
Take care.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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