Heavy periods
Heavy menstrual bleeding can interfere with everyday life, cause weakness or fatigue, and may be linked to conditions such as polyps, fibroids, hormone problems, or other medical concerns.
Request an AppointmentRequest a Consultation
When Heavy Bleeding Disrupts Daily Life
Periods heavy enough to soak through a pad or tampon in an hour
Weakness, tiredness, or symptoms related to iron deficiency or anemia
Bleeding that interferes with work, home life, sleep, social activities, or daily routines
When Are Heavy Periods a Concern?
It can be hard to assess what is “normal” with a monthly period. Most women do not shed very much blood when they menstruate and usually only need to change a tampon or pad once every few hours. If periods are so heavy that you have to go to the toilet very often, worry about soaking through your clothes, or feel that blood loss is interfering with everyday life, heavy menstrual bleeding may be a real problem.
Heavy menstrual bleeding is also called menorrhagia or hypermenorrhea. About 1 in 20 women, or 5%, are affected.
Some women are not bothered by heavy bleeding or have found ways to manage it. Others look for medical options or consider surgery. Many women with heavy periods also have other concerns, such as periods that last too long or are very irregular.
A general rule of thumb is that if it is common to soak through a pad or tampon in an hour, or even faster, and you get weak and tired easily, that may be very heavy menstrual bleeding. Passing a lot of large blood clots during menstrual flow can also mean that you are shedding a lot of blood.
Causes, Effects, and Diagnosis
Some women have heavy periods from the start, while others notice that their periods become heavier later in life. Hormonal changes in the time leading up to menopause can also be a factor. One common reason for heavy menstrual bleeding is the growth of too much tissue in the uterus. These growths are usually benign.
Two main types of benign growths can cause heavy periods: polyps, which are small soft growths in the endometrium, and fibroids, also called myomas, which are growths in the muscle layer of the uterus. These growths are fairly common and often do not cause symptoms. Very rarely, malignant growths such as uterine or cervical cancer can lead to heavy bleeding. Less common causes may include hormone problems, bleeding disorders, or problems involving the heart, kidneys, thyroid gland, or liver. It is not always possible to pinpoint the cause of heavy menstrual bleeding.
Losing a lot of menstrual blood can lead to iron deficiency. Iron is important for building red blood cells. If the body does not have enough iron, it cannot produce enough red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Signs of anemia may include feeling weak and tired, a pale complexion, cold hands and feet, breathing difficulties, or a racing heart, especially after physical activity. A doctor can check for anemia with a blood test.
To diagnose menorrhagia, a doctor will usually ask you to describe how heavy your periods are, including how many pads or tampons you use per day. Tracking this for a month or two may be helpful. Because heavy periods are most commonly caused by benign growths in the womb, doctors will usually examine the womb, palpate it, and perform an ultrasound. Sometimes a hysteroscopy is recommended, which uses a tiny camera inserted into the womb. Blood testing can also show whether heavy periods have led to anemia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is menorrhagia?
Menorrhagia is heavy menstrual bleeding. In gynecology, it generally means regularly losing more than 80 ml of blood during a period, although the impact of bleeding on daily life is also important.
How common are heavy periods?
About 5% of women between the ages of 30 and 49 seek medical help for heavy menstrual bleeding, which is about 1 in every 20 women.
What can cause heavy periods?
Heavy periods may be caused by benign growths such as polyps or fibroids, hormonal changes, hormone problems, bleeding disorders, or problems involving the heart, kidneys, thyroid gland, or liver. Very rarely, uterine or cervical cancer can lead to heavy bleeding.
Can heavy periods cause anemia?
Yes. Heavy menstrual blood loss can lead to iron deficiency, which can cause anemia. Symptoms may include weakness, tiredness, pale complexion, cold hands and feet, breathing difficulties, or a racing heart.
How are heavy periods diagnosed?
A doctor may ask about how heavy the bleeding is, including how many pads or tampons are used each day. The doctor may examine the womb, perform an ultrasound, recommend hysteroscopy, or order blood tests to check for anemia.
Still Have Questions?
Talk with us about your symptoms
Our team in Sparta and Wayne, New Jersey can help you understand your options and build a care plan that fits your goals.