Many women think heavy periods are just their norm and live with them for years. In fact, heavy bleeding can drain your energy, throw your daily routine off course, and sometimes indicate an underlying condition.
How Much Bleeding is Too Much?
Heavy menstrual bleeding is the term doctors use for very heavy periods, or periods that last more than seven days. Common symptoms include soaking through a pad or tampon in 1 to 2 hours, passing clots larger than a coin, needing to change your protection at nite, or avoiding activities due to leakage.
Common Causes
- Uterine fibroids and polyps
- Hormonal imbalance, such as thyroid issues or PCOS
- Adenomyosis or endometriosis
- Side Effects of Copper IUD
- Coagulation Disorders
Rarely, precancerous changes or cancer Health Effects
Continuous blood loss can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, which can lead to fatigue, dizziness, hair fall, pale skin, and breathlessness. Your quality of life suffers when your life revolves around your period.
When to go to the doctor
Call for an appointment if you have heavy bleeding, feel weak or lightheaded, have a sudden change in your cycle or are bleeding after menopause. If you have bad pain with heavy flow do not wait.
Women with heavy periods will often start with a history, examination, ultrasound and blood tests including hemoglobin and thyroid levels.
Available Treatment Options
Depending on the cause, the options include:
- Iron supplements for anemia.
- Tranexamic acid to slow flow
- Hormone pills or a hormonal IUD
- Removal of fibroids/polyps
- Endometrial ablation or hysterectomy in selected cases.
What You Can Do at Home
Keep a diary of your cycle. Eat foods high in iron: leafy green vegetables, lentils, etc. Take them with foods high in vitamin C to help your body absorb them. Stay hydrated.
Do Not Normalize It
There is usually a lot of bleeding, and that’s not healthy. Early assessment prevents complications and can bring real relief. A trusted gynecologist in Indore for heavy periods can diagnose the cause of your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan that is best suited to your age, health and future.