Blood clots, which are clumps of blood, often form after a vein or artery sustains damage. If they form inside a vein, the result is redness, pain and swelling in the localized area. According to MayoClinic.com, the leg is most often affected. In some cases, clots cause heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms or stroke. Blood clots form in both women and men; however, women face particular risks of developing blood clots due to certain factors.
Birth Control
The University of Maryland Medical Center reveals that all combination estrogen/progestin birth control products increase the risk of causing blood clots in women, particularly clots in the veins -- a condition called venous thromboembolism. Birth control patches and rings expose women to higher levels of estrogen than birth control pills, but all can raise the probability of blood clots. The risk is compounded in women who smoke, have heart disease risk factors or are obese. Using progestin-only oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices or barrier contraceptive methods are alternatives to progestin/estrogen birth control methods.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia, a condition that may occur after the 20th week of pregnancy, causes high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine. This dangerous health problem presents the risk of death to both the pregnant woman and the fetus. The only cure for preeclampsia is giving birth. According to Yale University, a higher risk of blood clot development exists for women experiencing preeclampsia, particularly during a first pregnancy. Any woman who develops preeclampsia runs an increased risk of blood clots throughout her lifetime.
Menstruation
Blood clots commonly occur in women during menstruation, although these blood clots don't form in the veins and arteries. When the uterus sheds its lining during the normal course of the menstrual cycle, tissue and blood leave the body. This blood routinely clumps to form clots, which may seem alarming to some women. TeensHealth reports that these blood clots pose no danger and don't indicate a wider health problem.
