My Periods Are Extremely Heavy: Can You Help?

Heavy menstrual bleeding—called menorrhagia—is one of the most common reasons women visit their OB-GYN. About 10% of menstruating women struggle with extremely heavy periods month after month.

The good news? You don’t have to just “deal with it.” Take a moment as our team of expert providers reveals the top signs of heavy periods, the potential causes, and what treatments are available at Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates in Marietta, Georgia.

6 signs that your periods are considered heavy

Every woman’s period is different, but there are a few signs that your bleeding may be heavier than it should be:

1. You soak through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours in a row
2. You need to use both pads and tampons to control the bleeding
3. You bleed for more than 7 days
4. You pass large clots (larger than a quarter)
5. You feel tired, lightheaded, or weak during your period
6. Your period keeps you from work, school, or normal activities

If you use a menstrual cup, you might also be able to measure the blood lost during your period. You can expect to lose about 60 milliliters of blood during a normal period. If your periods are heavy, you can lose 80 (or more) milliliters of blood.

What causes heavy periods?

Several conditions can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis before starting any treatments. 

Hormonal imbalance

Estrogen and progesterone regulate your menstrual cycle. If these hormones are out of balance, your uterine lining may build up too much and shed more heavily.

Uterine fibroids

As many as 80% of women have fibroids, non-cancerous growths in the uterus. Not everyone has symptomatic fibroids, but for the women who do have symptomatic fibroids, they can lead to longer, heavier periods. They’re especially common in women in their 30s and 40s. 

Endometriosis 

If you have endometriosis, the tissue that lines your uterus grows outside your uterine wall.  If you have adenomyosis, that same tissue grows into the muscular wall of your uterus. Both conditions can cause significant pain and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Bleeding disorders

Some women have inherited conditions like von Willebrand disease that affect their blood’s ability to clot properly.

Birth control side effects

Some methods—especially copper IUDs—can increase menstrual flow. This is particularly true during your first 12 months after insertion.

What can you do about heavy periods?

You have options, and they don’t all involve surgery. At Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, we begin with a detailed discussion of your symptoms, followed by appropriate tests such as:

• Blood work to check for anemia or hormonal issues
• Pelvic ultrasound to detect fibroids, polyps, or endometriosis
• Biopsy (in some cases) to rule out more serious conditions

Once we determine the source of your heavy periods, it’s time to review your treatment options. 

Some of the most effective solutions include:

Medication

Hormonal birth control methods—such as the pill, patch, ring, or hormonal IUD—can help regulate your menstrual cycle and significantly reduce bleeding. 

Tranexamic acid is another option that works by reducing bleeding without affecting your hormone levels. 

In addition, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help lessen both blood loss and menstrual pain. In fact, NSAIDs can reduce menstrual blood loss by 30%.

However, NSAIDs can be hard on your kidneys if used frequently or over long periods. Because of this, they shouldn’t be considered a long-term solution for managing heavy periods. That’s why we work with you to find a safe and sustainable treatment that protects your kidney health while addressing your symptoms effectively.

Minimally invasive procedures

If medications aren’t enough, we may recommend a minimally invasive procedure. Endometrial ablation is one technique that destroys the lining of the uterus to reduce or even stop your periods entirely.

A hysteroscopy with polyp or fibroid removal allows us to directly target and remove the source of the bleeding. 

Another option, uterine artery embolization, works by cutting off the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink—all without surgery.

Surgery

For severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments, and when future pregnancy is not desired, hysterectomy may be an option.

Don’t ignore a heavy period

Heavy periods aren’t just annoying. Over time, they can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, fatigue, and even heart palpitations. They can also be a sign of a more serious underlying issue.

More importantly, you deserve to feel well every day of the month, not just when your period ends. With the correct diagnosis and treatment plan, you can regain energy, take control of your cycle, and feel more like yourself again.

Call  770-422-8505 or click here to schedule an appointment today and take the first step toward a better cycle and a healthier you.