What is considered a heavy period?

Heavy period (menorrhagia) is defined as: soaking through pad/tampon every 1-2 hours, needing to change overnight, passing blood clots larger than quarter, bleeding lasting more than 7 days, losing more than 80ml blood per period (hard to measure - easier to track pad/tampon use). Average period: 30-40ml blood over 3-5 days, changing protection every 3-4 hours. Heavy periods affect 10-30% of women and often indicate underlying condition requiring treatment. Always consult doctor if bleeding is excessive or worsening.

How do you treat heavy periods?

Heavy period treatments: Hormonal (birth control pills, hormonal IUD, progestin therapy reduce bleeding 40-50%), Medications (tranexamic acid reduces bleeding by 40%, NSAIDs like ibuprofen reduce flow 20-30%), Iron supplements (prevent/treat anemia from blood loss), Procedures (endometrial ablation for completed childbearing, fibroid removal, hysterectomy for severe cases). Lifestyle: high-iron foods, vitamin C for absorption, adequate hydration, stress management. Track bleeding to monitor treatment effectiveness. Most women find significant relief with appropriate treatment. Don't suffer silently - help is available.

Heavy Periods: Causes, Treatment & When to Worry (2025 Guide)

Q: What causes heavy periods?

Heavy period causes: hormonal imbalances (most common in teens and perimenopause), uterine fibroids (benign growths), polyps, adenomyosis (uterine tissue in muscle wall), endometriosis, PCOS, thyroid disorders, bleeding disorders (von Willebrand disease), IUDs (copper IUD especially), certain medications, pelvic inflammatory disease, cancer (rare, but possible). Sometimes no cause found (dysfunctional uterine bleeding). Diagnosis requires medical evaluation: pelvic exam, ultrasound, blood tests, sometimes biopsy. Treatment depends on underlying cause.

Quick Answer: Heavy periods (soaking pad/tampon every 1-2 hours, large clots, bleeding 7+ days) affect 10-30% of women and often indicate treatable underlying conditions. Main causes: hormonal imbalances, fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis. Treatments: hormonal birth control (reduces bleeding 40-50%), tranexamic acid medication (reduces bleeding 40%), iron supplements for anemia, or procedures for severe cases. Always see a doctor - heavy periods are NOT normal and effective treatments exist.

If you're soaking through tampons or pads every hour or two, passing large blood clots, or feeling exhausted from blood loss, you're likely dealing with menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding). While common, affecting up to 30% of women, heavy periods are NOT something you have to accept. Let me explain what's happening and what you can do.

What Defines a Heavy Period?

Medical Definition:

Losing more than 80ml (5+ tablespoons) blood per period
Since this is hard to measure, doctors use these practical markers:

You Have Heavy Periods If:

Soaking protection: Changing pad/tampon every 1-2 hours
Nighttime flooding: Soaking through overnight, need to wake up to change
Large clots: Passing clots bigger than a quarter
Long duration: Bleeding more than 7 days
Anemia symptoms: Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin
Life interference: Missing work, avoiding activities due to bleeding

Normal Period for Comparison:

30-40ml blood total (2-3 tablespoons)
3-5 days duration
Changing protection every 3-4 hours
Small clots occasionally okay

Seek immediate care if: Soaking through protection every hour for 2+ hours, severe dizziness or fainting, severe abdominal pain, fever with heavy bleeding. These could indicate emergency situations requiring urgent medical attention.

What Causes Heavy Periods?

1. Hormonal Imbalances (Most Common)

What: Imbalance between estrogen and progesterone
When: Teens (cycles just starting), perimenopause (approaching menopause)
Why: Without ovulation, estrogen builds up uterine lining excessively
Treatment: Hormonal birth control, progestin therapy

2. Uterine Fibroids

What: Benign muscle tumors in uterus
Prevalence: 70% of women by age 50
Symptoms: Heavy bleeding, cramps, pelvic pressure
Treatment: Medications, fibroid removal, uterine artery embolization

3. Adenomyosis

What: Uterine lining grows into muscle wall
Symptoms: Heavy bleeding, severe cramps, enlarged uterus
More common: Women 40s-50s
Treatment: Hormonal therapy, pain management, hysterectomy if severe

4. Polyps

What: Tissue growths in uterine lining
Usually benign: But can cause heavy bleeding
Treatment: Removal (polypectomy)

5. Thyroid Disorders

Connection: Both hypo and hyperthyroidism affect periods
Easy to test: Simple blood test
Treatment: Thyroid medication normalizes periods

6. Bleeding Disorders

Most common: von Willebrand disease (affects 1% of population)
Signs: Heavy periods since first menstruation, easy bruising, prolonged bleeding
Often undiagnosed: Many women don't know they have it

Treatment Options for Heavy Periods

Hormonal Treatments:

Birth control pills: Reduce bleeding 40-50%, regulate cycles
Hormonal IUD (Mirena): Reduces bleeding 90%, many stop periods entirely
Progestin therapy: Pills or shots to regulate hormones

Non-Hormonal Medications:

Tranexamic acid (Lysteda): Reduces bleeding 40% by promoting clotting
NSAIDs (ibuprofen): Reduce flow 20-30%, start at period onset

Procedures:

Endometrial ablation: Destroys uterine lining (for completed childbearing)
Fibroid removal: Myomectomy preserves uterus
Hysterectomy: Last resort for severe cases

Iron Supplementation:

Essential: Heavy periods cause iron deficiency
Dose: 65-150mg elemental iron daily
With vitamin C: Improves absorption
Form: Ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, or iron bisglycinate (gentler)

The Bottom Line on Heavy Periods

Key Takeaways:

Heavy periods (soaking protection every 1-2 hours) are NOT normal - seek medical evaluation
Common causes: hormonal imbalances, fibroids, polyps, thyroid issues
Effective treatments exist: hormonal birth control, tranexamic acid, procedures
Iron supplementation crucial to prevent/treat anemia
Hormonal IUD most effective (90% reduction in bleeding)
Track bleeding to help doctor diagnose and monitor treatment
Don't wait - chronic heavy bleeding leads to anemia and reduced quality of life

Heavy periods significantly impact quality of life, but effective treatments exist. Don't accept them as "just how your periods are" - they often indicate treatable conditions. See your healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment options.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is informational, not medical advice. Always consult healthcare providers for heavy menstrual bleeding. Seek immediate care for severe bleeding, dizziness, or signs of significant blood loss.