Understanding Heavy Periods So You Can Find Relief

The compassionate women's health providers at All About Women discuss when to seek treatment for heavy periods.

If your period is heavy, you might just accept it as part of your life. While heavy periods are common, it's important for you to know that these periods are not normal.

Even more important, there are lots of effective treatment options available.

Missed work, sleep disturbances, and major alterations to your daily life during your period are all signs that you could be suffering a heavy period. Continue reading for more background information about heavy periods, as well as causes and treatment options.

What doctors define as a heavy period

Menorrhagia is the medical term that refers to periods that are either very heavy and/or last longer than 7 days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 20% of women suffer from heavy bleeding.

Your period may also be considered heavy if:

You lose more than 80 mL of blood during a single menstrual cycle. (Normal blood loss is around 30 mL.)

You must get up to change your tampon or pad during the night or every hour for several hours.

You have to double up on pads or use a pad with a tampon to prevent leaking.

You have constant pain in your lower stomach during your period.

Your blood flow interferes with your job or other daily activities.

Your menstrual fluid contains large clots (bigger than a quarter).

You can try to measure your flow based on the number of tampons you soak in a period. A soaked maxi pad or super tampon holds about 10 ml of blood, meaning that a medically defined heavy flow would soak at least 8 of these during a cycle.

Anemia: A possible complication of menorrhagia

The large blood loss associated with a heavy period puts you at a higher risk for anemia, which is a condition where your blood is unable to carry enough oxygen to your body, causing your organs to not work as well.

Signs of anemia include:

Fatigue with regular everyday activities

Shortness of breath

Irritability or depression

Dizziness

Tiredness

While anemia is easily remedied with the help of your doctor, long-term anemia can cause lasting damage to your body. It's important for you to make an appointment soon if you have heavy periods and signs of anemia.

Periods: What's Normal?

The gynecology team at All About Women clinic answer common questions about the difference between normal and abnormal periods.

What causes heavy periods?

In many women, the cause of menorrhagia is never known, but a few of the more commonly known ones include:

Uterine Fibroids (particularly in women of childbearing age)

Recent insertion of a copper intrauterine device (IUD)

Hormone imbalances

Uterine polyps (particularly in women nearing menopause)

Women nearing menopause (age 45 onwards) are at an increased risk for heavy periods. But regardless of whether the cause is known or unknown, your gynecologist should be able to treat your heavy periods.

How are heavy periods diagnosed?

To diagnose you with menorrhagia, your physician will begin by talking with you about the bleeding you’re having, as the timing, duration, and pattern are all important. They may also perform a pelvic exam.

Additionally, they may want to order blood tests to learn if you’re anemic and to check your thyroid function, as thyroid hormones can regulate periods much as they regulate other normal functions. They may also want to have you undergo some imaging, most likely a pelvic ultrasound.

With the information from the visit, the laboratory tests, and the medical images, your physician should begin to understand the cause of your problems with menstruation. This makes it easier to determine what type of treatment is necessary.

Your physician will also consider your age and whether you are finished childbearing. If you wish to become pregnant in the future, then some treatments are not recommended, but you will have other options to help with the regulation of your menstrual cycle and heavy periods.

Treatment options for heavy menstruation

There are a variety of treatment options your doctor may suggest, depending on your situation.

Drug therapies

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs, such as Ibuprofen, are sometimes a first attempt at managing symptoms. They can reduce inflammation and reduce bleeding, but not as much as hormone medications.
Tranexamic acid. This blood clotting medication can reduce bleeding better than NSAIDs.
Hormone treatment. Your doctor may suggest the hormone progestin to help reduce bleeding. You may take progestin in a pill (birth control) or a vaginal cream or through the progestin-containing Mirena IUD.

Surgical procedures

Hysteroscopy. This procedure may be used to examine the uterus and evaluate for fibroids and polyps. Surgeons then decide how to approach treatment. One option is a myomectomy to remove fibroids that may be contributing to your bleeding.
Endometrial ablation (brand name NovaSure). In this procedure, radio waves are used to destroy the tissue that lines the uterus, which usually ends periods all together. Pregnancy is not possible after this procedure.
Hysterectomy. This is a major, last resort option in which your gynecological surgeon will remove your entire uterus. Robotic hysterectomies, which we perform at All About Women, offer a less invasive surgery option compared to the traditional approach.

Natural treatment options

Some women have found that changing their diets can help reduce discomfort and regulate their menstrual cycles. Adding foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus, to your meals and iron-rich foods like spinach, chard, and other leafy greens can help to prevent anemia by providing iron to help produce more red blood cells.

You can also drink more water, which will increase your body’s hydration and prevent problems with blood clots during menstruation. Drinking sports drinks, in moderation, can also help improve electrolyte levels in your blood.

It may also help to use a heating pad on your abdomen or back to relieve the discomfort of a heavy period. Try relaxing in a hot bath or taking a long, hot shower to relax your tense muscles.

Don't delay—Seek help for your heavy periods today

The women's health physicians, nurses, and staff at Gainesville and Lake City's All About Women are dedicated to helping you have the best quality of life. Heavy menstrual bleeding and other abnormal periods definitely interfere with your quality of life, but can be resolved so you can sleep through the night and not increase your risk of anemia.