Heavy periods (menorrhagia), defined as prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding that can sometimes be painful, are most commonly caused by a hormonal imbalance. They can affect your quality of life and be a sign of an underlying medical condition that can usually be treated.
However, heavy menstrual bleeding can be caused by many different factors, such as:
Uterine fibroids and polyps:
- These growths, which are typically noncancerous, form in or on the uterine wall and can cause excessive bleeding.
Adenomyosis:
- In this condition, the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) breaks through the myometrium (muscular wall of the uterus) and causes heavy bleeding.
Ovulation issues:
- If you don’t ovulate or bleed regularly, parts of the endometrium (innermost uterine lining) may become too thick.
- This can occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (a hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries with small cysts) and hypothyroidism (when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone).
- Heavy menstrual bleeding can be an early sign of endometrial (uterine) cancer.
- Conditions such as von Willebrand disease (a genetic disorder caused by low levels of clotting protein in the blood) and other conditions can cause menorrhagia.
- In this condition, the uterine lining grows in sites outside of the uterus (the fallopian tubes, ovaries, etc.), which can cause menorrhagia.
Pregnancy problems:
- Ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg gets implanted outside the uterus) and miscarriage can cause heavy menstrual bleeding.
- An infection of the reproductive organs with symptoms that include heavy menstrual bleeding.
Medications:
- Anticoagulants such as aspirin can cause increased bleeding in women.
- Herbal supplements such as ginseng, ginkgo and soy may cause heavy bleeding as a side effect.
- Some types of chemotherapy may also cause heavy bleeding.
- Most oral contraceptive pills tend to normalize your menstrual flow.
- However, certain birth control methods, such as a copper intrauterine device (IUD), can result in increased menstrual bleeding.
Age:
How can I know if my periods are heavy or normal?
It is hard to define exactly what heavy periods are. What is heavy for one woman may be normal for another woman. Moreover, some women who think they have heavy periods may have an average amount of blood loss, whereas others who think they have normal periods may have a high amount of blood loss.
- Most women lose 16 teaspoons of blood (80 mL) or less during periods.
- The average amount of blood loss during periods is six to eight teaspoons.
- According to studies, heavy periods are a symptom if blood loss is higher than 80 mL per period and/or having periods that last longer than seven days.
You will not usually need to measure your blood loss. Most women can tell when they are bleeding more than normal. Signs that your periods are heavy include:
- Bleeding through your clothes or bedding
- Having to change your normal lifestyle due to heavy bleeding
- Needing to change your sanitary products every one to two hours
- Needing to use two types of sanitary products at the same time (a tampon and a pad)
- Passing blood clots larger than 2.5 cm
Heavy periods every month can occur with or without other symptoms. Apart from the above, symptoms of heavy periods include:
- Feeling tired during your periods, which is caused by anemia (iron deficiency)
- Staining of the sheets during the night and needing to replace your sanitary protection constantly
- Period cramps
- Periods that last more than seven days
- Symptoms continuing for several monthly cycles
QUESTION
The vagina includes the labia, clitoris, and uterus. See AnswerWhen should I be concerned about heavy periods?
There are certain symptoms that can occur with heavy periods that require urgent evaluation by your healthcare provider, such as:
- Shortness of breath can be a symptom of anemia, a condition in which the body has a low hemoglobin level due to excessive blood loss and cannot keep up with its replacement of red blood cells.
- This can also cause severe tiredness, light-headedness or dizziness.
- If anemia is severe, a woman may require a blood transfusion.
Bleeding after menopause:
- If menstrual bleeding starts after menopause, this could be a sign of a more serious condition such as a malignancy.
- If you have heavy vaginal bleeding and you have had a positive pregnancy test, make sure to contact your doctor immediately.
Pain:
- Heavy menstrual periods that occur with severe pain could be a sign of a more urgent condition and may need your doctor’s intervention.
No matter the cause, there are many ways and treatments to address your heavy bleeding. Treatments include fairly simple remedies, such as iron supplements, birth control, hormone therapy and prescription medication, or surgical options, such as removal of polyps or fibroids. Together with your physician, you can find the best solution.
References
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/blooddisorders/women/menorrhagia.html
When is a heavy period too heavy: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/when-is-a-heavy-period-too-heavy-2020021218877
Heavy periods: Overview: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279294/
When is a heavy period too heavy: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/when-is-a-heavy-period-too-heavy-2020021218877
Heavy periods: Overview: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279294/
Complete List
Top Why Is My Period So Heavy Related Articles
How Many Days After Your Period Can You Get Pregnant?
Getting pregnant just after your period is unlikely, but it’s not impossible. However, the chances of getting pregnant are low right after the periods compared to a few days or a week in the menstrual cycle.
Can Sperm Survive in Menstrual Blood?
Sperm can survive in a woman’s reproductive system for up to 5 days whether the woman is menstruating or not. Thus, even if a woman has sex during her period, sperm from ejaculation may remain inside her reproductive system and may fertilize the egg if ovulation occurs.
Cramps But No Period
Having cramps but no period can occur because of conditions other than your monthly menstrual cycle. They may feel like period cramps of the lower abdomen when you are not due for your period and produce no blood. These 12 diseases and conditions are examples of what can cause abdominal cramping when not on period.
How Can I Stop Prolonged Periods Naturally?
Heavy periods may be a sign of some underlying health condition. Quite often, heavy and prolonged periods may be a result of nutritional deficiencies. There are a few home remedies for a heavy period. Your doctor may use medication or surgery to treat heavy periods.
How Do I Get Rid of Gas Pains During My Period?
Gas pain during your period can be debilitating. Learn what causes gas pain during your period and how you can get rid of it or lower the chances of developing gas pain during your period.
How Many Days Before a Period Do You Get Discharge?
Vaginal discharge is a normal part of a woman's menstrual cycle. Learn about vaginal discharge before a period, how many days you get discharge before your period, signs and causes of vaginal discharge, and when to see a doctor if there's a problem. Vaginal discharge is the fluid secreted from the uterus, cervix (neck of the uterus) and vagina. A thick yellow vaginal discharge may point to vaginitis (infection of the vagina).
PMS Slideshow
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) can cause from mood swings, munchies, and more. Learn about the symptoms, causes and treatments of PMS.
Spotting vs. Period
Menstruation (a female's "period") occurs due to the shedding of the lining of the uterus. Menstrual bleeding lasts about three to five days, and the bleeding is heavy the first couple of days and then it lessens. Spotting is vaginal bleeding between periods.
Why Am I Getting Brown Discharge Before My Period?
What is brown discharge and why does it sometimes happen before your period? Learn the signs of abnormal vaginal bleeding and what the causes may be.
Why Am I Getting Period Cramps With No Blood?
Why are you getting period cramps but no blood? Learn the causes of period cramps without blood and how to treat it. The menstrual cycle is cyclic changes that occur in a woman"s body every month. During the menstrual cycle, the levels of reproductive hormones change, the egg is released from the ovary, and the uterus is prepared for pregnancy.Why Am I Having Menstrual Cramps but No Period?
Menstrual cramps may happen even without a period. Learn more about menstrual cramps without a period, when they can happen, what causes them, and what to watch out for. Menstrual cramps are a type of abdominal pain women get when they have their period. Menstrual cramps may occur after running due to dehydration, gastrointestinal problems, hypothyroidism and pregnancy.