Heavy periods - what you can do - Superdrug™ Online Doctor

Are heavy periods normal?

Heavy periods are very common, with around around one in three women being affected. In many cases, there is no underlying problem.

If you have only just started your periods or if you are close to the menopause, you might also notice that your periods have changed and become heavier.

Although heavy bleeding doesn’t necessarily mean there is something wrong, however it’s always important to get changes in your norm investigated, and to seek help if these symptoms are affecting your life negatively. If heavy periods are affecting your everyday life, you should speak to your doctor about ways to manage the bleeding.

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How can I tell if my periods are heavy?

During a normal period you should lose on average between 30 and 40 ml (around six to eight teaspoonfuls) of blood per month. While five days is an average duration for a period, some women find that their periods last up to eight days. Usually, most of the blood loss occurs in the first three days.

For a period to be considered heavy you would probably be losing 80 ml or more. The following are signs that your period is heavy:

when the bleeding comes through your clothes or bedding
having to get up regularly during the night to change your sanitary towel or tampon
having to change your sanitary towels or tampons very frequently or use both at the same time
losing large blood clots

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What causes heavy bleeding?

In 40–60% of cases, there is no underlying cause.

Some of the conditions that might cause heavy periods include:

cervical or endometrial polyps
endometriosis
uterine fibroids
intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUD) (also known as "the contraceptive coil")
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
blood clotting disorder
an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)

There are also medications and treatments that have been known to cause heavy periods. These include chemotherapy for cancer and anticoagulant medicines that affect the way your blood clots.

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Is there a treatment?

There are treatments available for heavy periods, so if it’s affecting your quality of life, ask your doctor for advice. Most of the time, heavy periods can be treated with medication, but in some cases surgery may be required, for example if the heavy bleeding is caused by a physical condition like fibroids or endometriosis.

If there’s no underlying reason and it doesn't affect life, you may feel you do not need treatment.

Medication is usually offered to you if there’s nothing to suggest an underlying problem, or while you’re waiting results of further tests.

The type of medication you’re offered will depend on several different factors, including whether you are trying for a baby or breastfeeding. The types of medication used to treat heavy periods are:

non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
tranexamic acid
contraceptive medication
synthetic progestogen

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When to see the doctor

If the bleeding is stopping you from having a normal working and/or social life, or has changed from your normal level, then it’s worth speaking to your doctor to see if there’s anything that can be done to help.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your periods to see if you need tests. The type of questions you might be asked include:

how many days your periods usually last
how much you are bleeding
how often you have to change tampon or sanitary towel (or if you wear both)
if you have any flooding
whether it’s affecting your everyday activities
if you have any bleeding between periods or after sex
If you’re experiencing any pelvic pain
If you have had any unintentional weight loss or loss of appetite
If you have a family history of any gynaecological cancers
If you are a smoker

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Can an IUD help with heavy periods?

The traditional IUD (intrauterine device) doesn’t help with heavy periods. In fact, some women who have them fitted find that an IUD causes them to develop heavy bleeding.

Some of the newer hormone-releasing intrauterine systems (IUS) though, can be prescribed to treat heavy periods – the Levonorgestrel intrauterine system is fitted into your womb and releases a hormone called progestogen which stops the lining building up too fast. This type of IUS has been found to reduce blood loss by 71-96 per cent.

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Does the pill help?

The combined contraceptive pill is sometimes used to treat heavy periods and has the benefit of being more easily reversible than the IUS. The pill is also helpful if you have irregular or painful periods as it can help to regulate your cycle.

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Sources

Heavy periods (2018) NHS [accessed 3 April 2020]

Menorrhagia and bleeding disorders (2007) Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol [accessed 4th August 2020]

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Heavy periods - what causes them and what can you do?

Heavy periods - what causes them and what can you do?

Are heavy periods normal?

How can I tell if my periods are heavy?

What causes heavy bleeding?

Is there a treatment?

When to see the doctor

Can an IUD help with heavy periods?

Does the pill help?

Sources

Related Contraceptive Pill Treatments

Further Reading on Contraceptive Pill

Popular Articles

Heavy periods - what causes them and what can you do?

Heavy periods - what causes them and what can you do?

Are heavy periods normal?

How can I tell if my periods are heavy?

What causes heavy bleeding?

Is there a treatment?

When to see the doctor

Can an IUD help with heavy periods?

Does the pill help?

Sources

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Related Contraceptive Pill Treatments

Further Reading on Contraceptive Pill

Popular Articles