What is a Blood Clot? | Transgender Health and Blood Clots

A blood clot is a clump of blood that forms when blood cells stick together. Your body creates blood clots naturally and they’re usually protective. If you have a cut or scrape, an injury, or need surgery, your blood will clot to stop you from bleeding too much. Think of blood clots as your body’s first line of defense!

Sometimes, though, blood clots form on their own and can be dangerous. A blood clot in a vein is called a venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE includes deep vein thrombosis, also called DVT. A DVT is a blood clot that forms in the legs, thighs, or arms. When a blood clot travels to the lungs, it’s called a pulmonary embolism, or PE for short. DVT and PE block the flow of blood to important parts of the body, so they can be life-threatening if not recognized or treated. It’s important to know about the risk factors and signs & symptoms. 

Treatment for blood clots may involve medications to prevent new clots from forming. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the clot or repair the damaged blood vessel.