Patient education: Heavy periods (The Basics)

What causes heavy periods? — There are many different causes of heavy periods. They include:

●One of your ovaries not releasing 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 hormones)

●Cancer of the uterus

How much bleeding is abnormal? — 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 department right away if you soak through 2 pads or tampons in 1 hour for 2 hours in a row.

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.

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — Call your doctor or nurse if you:

●Are 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 every time you have your period

●Need to use both pads and tampons at the same time because you are bleeding so much

●Need to change your pad or tampon during the night

●Pass clots that are bigger than 1 inch (about 2.5 cm) wide

●Bleed in between periods

●Get your period more or less often than once a month

●Have pain and bad cramps in your lower belly before or while you are bleeding

●Are having trouble getting pregnant

●Have bleeding after you have not had periods for at least a year, and think you have gone through menopause

●Have any of symptoms listed above and think you might be 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? — Your 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. They can also check for 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? — It 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 contain hormones – These make your period lighter or stop your periods 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 inflammation, such as ibuprofen (sample brand names: Motrin, Advil) or mefenamic acid (brand name: Ponstel)

●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 or not 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.

More on this topic

Patient education: Uterine fibroids (The Basics)
Patient education: Absent or irregular periods (The Basics)
Patient education: Painful periods (The Basics)
Patient education: Endometrial ablation (The Basics)
Patient education: Hormonal birth control (The Basics)
Patient education: Long-acting methods of birth control (The Basics)

Patient education: Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Uterine fibroids (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hormonal methods of birth control (Beyond the Basics)