✓ Deep breathing or meditation for 10 to 15 minutes per day
Heavy Periods: Causes and How to Stop Them
Medically reviewed by
Dr Clair GraingerLast reviewed: 23 Dec 2025
Heavy periods, known medically as menorrhagia, affect around 1 in 3 people and are more likely to occur as you get older. They can affect anyone who has periods and may even be normal for you, but they can be distressing and interfere with your everyday life.
You may have heavy periods (menstrual bleeding) if you:
- lose more than 80ml of blood regularly
- need to change a tampon or pad every 1 to 2 hours
- need to use 2 types of sanitary products at the same time
- have large clots
- have periods that last for more than 7 days
The first 2 days of your period are usually the heaviest time in your cycle, but this can be different for everybody. Although they can be distressing or a nuisance, heavy periods are treatable through lifestyle changes, non-hormonal treatments, and hormonal medications.
Here we look at what causes heavy periods, what you can do to manage them, and when you should consider seeing a doctor.
What causes heavy periods?
Some of the causes of heavy periods include:
- hormonal changes, like puberty, recent pregnancy, or perimenopause
- fibroids or polyps, non-cancerous growths in the muscular wall of the womb
- adenomyosis, which is a condition that causes abnormal tissue growth in the womb
- conditions that affect the womb or ovaries, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- conditions that make you bleed more easily, including Von Willebrand disease
- other underlying health conditions, including thyroid problems, liver disease, or kidney disease
- womb or ovarian cancer
- some medical treatments or devices, including blood thinners, copper intrauterine device (IUD), and chemotherapy
Heavy periods can be normal for some people and can happen at different life stages. For example, some people may get heavy menstrual bleeding when their periods first begin, after pregnancy, or when approaching menopause.
Heavy periods without a known cause are called primary menorrhagia. If a condition or disease is causing them, it’s known as secondary menorrhagia.
How to stop or reduce heavy periods
Heavy periods can be painful and uncomfortable, but there are things you can do to effectively manage symptoms and minimise their impact on your daily life. Through nutrition, rest, and stress management, you can help yourself feel better and more in control, but they will not treat the underlying cause, and you may still need medications or further investigations.
Some of the things you can do to stop or reduce heavy periods are:
Diet and supplements
Heavy periods can lower your iron stores, increasing the chance of anaemia, a condition where you do not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. It can cause symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and weakness.
Before, during, and after your period, it’s important to include iron-rich foods in your diet to replenish your iron stores. Choose:
- lean red meat, like beef and lamb
- poultry
- legumes
- dark green leafy vegetables, like kale and spinach
- fortified cereals and bread
Pairing iron-rich food sources with vitamin C (orange, lemon juice, bell peppers, or broccoli) can help increase iron absorption. However, it’s best to avoid drinks like tea and coffee for at least an hour after a meal, as these can prevent your body from absorbing iron.
If your periods are particularly heavy or you are not getting enough iron in your diet, your doctor might recommend taking an iron supplement. Other dietary supplements you could take if you have heavy periods are:
- vitamin C – increases iron absorption
- omega 3 – omega 3 supplements can reduce the severity of painful periods
Stay hydrated
Menstrual fluid contains blood and water, so it’s important to stay hydrated during a heavy period. Some research suggests that drinking enough water may help reduce the length of your period, pain intensity, and painkiller use.
Aim to drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day, but this may increase if you are more active, it’s hot outside, or you sweat more. This will not only help manage your symptoms, but also minimise the chance of dehydration, which can also make you feel unwell.
Get some rest
Getting enough rest is also important if you have heavy periods. Rest will help regulate stress hormones, which can also influence your menstrual flow. Try to aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night and prioritise rest when you need it because heavy periods can cause fatigue, pain, and sleep issues. So, listening to your body and taking extra rest if you need it is important to manage your symptoms.
Manage stress
Chronic stress can disrupt the hormonal balance that’s responsible for controlling your menstrual cycle. Reducing stress can lower levels of stress hormones, like cortisol. When high, cortisol can contribute to heavy periods. High cortisol levels can also impact ovulation, which may temporarily affect fertility.
Good stress management techniques include:
✓ Regular, gentle exercise, like walking, yoga, moderate-intensity cycling, or swimming
✓ Getting a consistent sleep routine
✓ Taking up a hobby
Maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) also supports hormone balance and can help manage heavy periods.
Avoid excessive alcohol or caffeine intake
Alcohol can increase oestrogen and testosterone levels, which can make premenstrual symptoms worse, including cramps, mood swings, and irritability. It can also affect your body’s ability to absorb and use nutrients like iron, which can increase your risk of iron deficiency if you have heavy periods.
Caffeine, on the other hand, narrows blood vessels and raises prostaglandin levels, which are hormone-like substances that can increase period pain and inflammation. Some research has found that some instant coffee brands are a risk factor for heavy periods.
You can help by limiting:
- your intake of alcohol to no more than 1 to 2 units a few times per week
- coffee or energy drinks to 1 to 2 cups per day maximum
Where possible, switch to decaffeinated or alcohol-free options.
Medical treatments for heavy periods
If lifestyle changes are not enough, there are several effective medical treatments available that can reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. They range from hormonal treatments, like the combined contraceptive pill, non-hormonal treatments, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to surgical options, like a hysterectomy in the most severe cases.
Non-hormonal medications
For many people, the first step in treating heavy periods is trying non-hormonal medication. These often provide period pain relief and include:
- mefenamic acid – a type of NSAID used to treat mild to moderate pain, and can reduce menstrual blood loss by about 30%
- tranexamic acid – a licensed treatment for heavy periods, with a usual dose of 1g, 3 times a day for up to 4 days, and can reduce menstrual blood loss by 40 to 50%
Both of these treatments may be more suitable for people who would prefer not to use hormonal options, but NSAIDs can also be taken alongside hormonal contraception during your period to reduce pain and blood flow. Speak with your pharmacist or doctor to check if mefenamic acid or tranexamic acid would be suitable for you.
Hormonal treatments
Hormonal treatments can regulate your menstrual cycle, thin the womb lining, and make your period less heavy. Some may also stop your periods altogether while taking them. However, they are not a suitable option if you are trying to get pregnant.
Hormonal treatment options include:
The combined pill
The combined oral contraceptive pill contains synthetic versions of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which can help to balance your hormone levels. Some research suggests the combined pill reduces the chance of heavy menstrual bleeding from 12 to 77% within 6 months of taking it.
If you’re taking it to treat heavy periods or have certain female reproductive conditions, like adenomyosis, your doctor may recommend taking it back-to-back, without breaks. This can stop the withdrawal bleed and may be more comfortable and preferable for people with heavy bleeding and period pain.
Combined pill options for heavy periods include:
The mini pill
The mini pill or progesterone-only pill may also help with heavy periods because it can make them lighter or stop them completely in some people. However, they can also cause more frequent or irregular bleeding, so it’s important to speak to a doctor to check whether it’s safe and suitable for you.
Mini pills that may be suitable for heavy periods:
Important: It can take 3 to 6 months for your body to get used to hormones in the contraceptive pill, so your doctor may recommend staying on it to see if any period symptoms get better or stop altogether, but if it’s not for you, let your doctor know so you can discuss other options.
Intrauterine system (IUS)
An intrauterine system (IUS), also known as the hormonal coil, is a small plastic device that is inserted into your womb by a doctor or nurse. It steadily releases progesterone and is also used to prevent pregnancy.
An IUS is usually kept in for 3 to 6 years, depending on the type. Research shows that in the long term, the hormonal coil is better at managing heavy periods compared to medical treatments.
Surgery
If medication does not work or is not suitable for you, surgery may be an option. This is usually only recommended if your symptoms are severe and after trying other options. The type of surgery you will be offered may depend on the underlying cause of heavy menstrual bleeding, but can include:
- endometrial ablation, where the lining of the womb is removed
- fibroid removal, if fibroids are thought to be causing heavy periods, and are more than 3cm in diameter
- hysterectomy, where all or some of the womb is removed
You will likely need further tests, such as blood tests, to check whether you have any underlying conditions, such as iron deficiency anaemia. Surgery is a big step and comes with its own side effects and risks, so it is important to discuss your options with your doctor.
When to see a doctor
Heavy periods are not always a cause for concern and can be related to a specific life stage, such as puberty or perimenopause. However, you may be experiencing menorrhagia if you soak through 1 or more pads or tampons per hour, your periods last longer than 7 days, or you have large blood clots.
“You should see a doctor if you have heavy periods and:
- they are affecting your everyday life
- you have had them for a while
- you get severe pain during your period
- you get bleeding between periods or after sex
- you get other symptoms, such as pain when peeing, pooing, or during sex
- you are having difficulty getting pregnant
- you have any new changes to your bleeding pattern, especially over the age of 40
Dr Clair Grainger
Online Doctor
FAQs
Can birth control help reduce heavy periods?
Yes, some types of birth control can help reduce heavy periods by thinning the womb lining or stopping periods altogether. Birth control methods that may help with heavy periods include the combined pill, the mini pill, and the hormonal coil (IUS).
How can I stop heavy periods naturally?
It may be possible to manage heavy periods naturally with several lifestyle changes, including staying hydrated, following a healthy, balanced diet that incorporates iron and vitamin C, getting regular exercise, prioritising sleep, and managing stress.
This may not always stop or reduce heavy periods, depending on the cause, so it’s important to speak to a doctor if they do not get better or you have other symptoms.
Should I be worried about heavy bleeding during perimenopause?
Not always. It’s common to get heavy menstrual bleeding during perimenopause because of changing hormone levels. However, if you get any new changes to your symptoms or are concerned, speak to your doctor for more advice as it’s also important to rule out any potentially serious causes for changes to your bleeding pattern over the age of 40.
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