What causes heavy periods?
That depends on your body and individual situation. There might be nothing wrong with you at all. But sometimes heavy periods are a sign that there is a problem.
Things that can cause heavy periods include:
- One of your ovaries has not released an egg during one or more months.
- Growths in the uterus called “fibroids”
- A bleeding disorder that prevents your blood from clotting normally
- Side effects of some medicines, such as some types of birth control or blood thinners
- A problem with your thyroid (a gland that makes thyroid hormones)
- Cancer of the uterus
How much bleeding is normal when I have my period?
During a normal period, bleeding lasts less than 8 days. Signs that your periods are too heavy include:
- Having to change a pad or tampon every 1 or 2 hours because it is completely soaked
- Passing large lumps of blood, called clots
Is my bleeding an emergency?
See your doctor or go to the emergency room right away if you soak through four or more pads or tampons in two hours.
If you are pregnant and have any bleeding, tell your doctor or midwife right away. Bleeding during pregnancy can sometimes be a sign of an emergency condition.
Please see the doctor if you have any following symtoms
- Are you pregnant or think you could be pregnant?
- Have a period that lasts for more than 8 days.
- Soak through a pad or tampon every 1 or 2 hours, and this happens every time you have a period.
- You need to use both pads and tampons at the same time because you are bleeding so much.
- You need to change your pad or tampon during the night.
- Pass clots that are bigger than 1 inch wide.
- Bleed in between periods
- Have irregular periods that happen more or less often than once a month.
- Have pain and bad cramps in your lower belly before or while you are bleeding.
- Are you having trouble getting pregnant?
- You have bleeding after you have not had periods for at least a year and think you have gone through menopause.
- Have any of the symptoms listed above and are low in iron. Signs of being low in iron include:
- Feeling weak
- Feeling very tired
- Having headaches
- Having trouble breathing when you exercise
- Feeling your heart beat too fast when you exercise
Are there tests I should have taken?
The doctor or nurse will decide if you need tests based on your age, symptoms, and individual situation. There are lots of tests, but you might not need any.
Here are the most common tests doctors use to find the cause of heavy periods:
- Blood tests: Blood tests can check if you are pregnant, have hormonal changes, a bleeding disorder, low iron levels, or other problems.
- Endometrial biopsy: For this test, the doctor will take a sample of tissue from inside your uterus. The sample can be viewed under a microscope to look for problems.
- Pelvic ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to make a picture of your uterus, ovaries, and vagina. The pictures can show if you have fibroids or other growths.
- Hysteroscopy: For this test, the doctor will use a small instrument to look inside your uterus.
How are heavy periods treated?
That depends on what is causing your heavy periods and whether you want to get pregnant soon. You might not need treatment. If you do, treatments might include:
- Birth control methods that use hormones These make your periods lighter or stop them completely. They come as:
- Pills
- Skin patches
- A ring that you put inside your vagina
- Shots that you get every 3 months
- An intrauterine device (IUD), a device that your doctor inserts into your uterus
- Medicines that thicken blood and slow bleeding
- Medicines that reduce swelling, such as ibuprofen or mefenamic acid,
- Medicines that contain a hormone called “progestin.” These are taken for a week or so every few months.
- Medicines that make the ovaries stop working for a short time
If you have fibroids or if medicines haven’t helped with your heavy periods, your doctor might suggest surgery. Your options will depend on whether you might want to get pregnant in the future. They might include:
- The removal of fibroids or other growths
- Endometrial ablation: This is a procedure that causes scarring in the inner lining of the uterus.
- Uterine artery embolization: This is a procedure to block the blood vessels that supply blood to the uterus.
- Hysterectomy: This is surgery to remove the uterus. After a hysterectomy, you will no longer have periods at all.
