Heavy Periods Treatment

What counts as a heavy period?

Your menstrual cycle is a very subjective experience. What’s tolerable for one woman might be unbearable for the next, so there are no set criteria for what constitutes a heavy period, but in general, your period may be considered heavy if any of the following apply:

• Waking during the night to change sanitary protection
• Soaking through more than one pad or tampon every hour for several hours in a row
• Bleeding that lasts longer than a week
• Blood clots larger than a quarter
• Needing to “double up” on sanitary products to avoid bleeding through
• Inability to complete normal daily tasks due to bleeding
• Painful cramps

Heavy bleeding can cause anemia, so it’s important to be able to recognize symptoms of anemia, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and persistent tiredness.

What causes heavy bleeding?

Heavy bleeding can have many different causes, including:

• Hormonal imbalance
• Dysfunctional ovaries
• Uterine polyps
• Uterine fibroids
• Adenomyosis
• Certain cancers
• Some medications
• Bleeding disorders

Because there are so many potential causes of abnormal bleeding, it’s very important to seek a thorough diagnostic workup to ensure the best treatment approach.

What are some treatment options for heavy periods?

Your treatment path depends on the cause of your heavy bleeding, your overall health, and your plans for having children. Your doctor works with you to find the treatment option that is best for your specific set of circumstances.

Medications can help, including a hormonal birth control to restore proper hormonal balance. Over-the-counter medications can reduce your menstrual flow and help with discomfort. There are also prescription medications that can slow bleeding.

Endometrial ablation is another option to control heavy bleeding. The process involves using laser energy, radiofrequency, or heat to destroy your endometrium, which is the lining inside your uterus. This is only a good option for women who are certain they don’t want to have children, but it is also not a form of birth control, so you’ll need to use a reliable method until you reach menopause.

To learn more about how to stop heavy bleeding, schedule a visit with North Atlanta Women’s Care by phone or online.