Is Your Period Ruling Your Life? Let's Talk About Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

If you're reading this, chances are you've found yourself canceling plans because of your period, or maybe you've wondered if it's normal to go through a super tampon every hour. Here's the thing – you're not alone, and you don't have to live this way.

Millions of women deal with heavy periods, but too many of us just accept it as "part of being a woman." At Advanced Women's Health of NJ, we're here to tell you that excessive bleeding and debilitating cramps aren't something you have to grin and bear. There are real solutions that can give you your life back.

So What Exactly Counts as "Heavy"?

The medical term is menorrhagia, but let's skip the jargon. Technically, it's losing more than 80 milliliters of blood per cycle or bleeding for more than seven days. But honestly, who's measuring? What really matters is how your period affects your life. If you're planning your schedule around your cycle or dreading that time of the month, we need to talk.

The Tell-Tale Signs You Might Be Dealing With

You know your body better than anyone, so trust your instincts. Here are some red flags that suggest your periods might be heavier than they should be:

The Bleeding Situation:

• You're changing a super tampon or pad every hour for several hours straight
• You've become a pro at the pad-and-tampon combo
• Your period drags on for more than a week
• You're passing clots the size of quarters (or bigger – yikes!)
• You experience that dreaded "flooding" feeling that makes you want to stay home

How Your Body Feels:

• Cramps that make you want to curl up in a ball
• Feeling exhausted and weak, even when you're not on your period
• Getting winded just walking up stairs
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

The Real-Life Impact:

• You've called in sick to work because of your period
• You avoid wearing light colors or white pants for a whole week
• You wake up multiple times at night to change protection
• You've turned down invitations because you're worried about bleeding through
• You feel anxious about leaving the house during heavy days

What's Behind All This Bleeding?

Heavy periods aren't just bad luck – there's usually a reason behind them. The good news? Once we figure out what's going on, we can fix it. Some common culprits include:

Hormonal Imbalances: Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, or perimenopause can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle.

Uterine Conditions: Fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, or endometriosis can cause structural changes that lead to heavier bleeding and increased pain.

Blood Disorders: Conditions affecting blood clotting, such as von Willebrand disease or platelet disorders, can contribute to excessive menstrual bleeding.

Medications: Certain medications, including blood thinners and some types of birth control, may increase menstrual flow.

How We Get to the Bottom of Things

Don't worry – we won't just guess what's wrong. At Advanced Women's Health of NJ, we're detectives when it comes to figuring out your heavy bleeding. Here's what you can expect:

Let's Talk: We'll sit down and really discuss what you're going through. How long has this been happening? What does a typical cycle look like for you? How is it affecting your life? Pro tip: if you can track your periods for a couple of months before your visit, that's super helpful.

The Exam: Yes, we need to do a pelvic exam, but we'll make it as comfortable as possible and explain everything we're doing.

Blood Work: We'll check for things like anemia (which is common with heavy bleeding), thyroid issues, and clotting problems.

Pictures of Your Insides: Okay, that sounds weird, but we might need some imaging to see what's going on:

• An ultrasound (just like pregnancy ultrasounds) to check your uterus and ovaries
• Sometimes a special ultrasound with saline to get a clearer picture
• Occasionally an MRI if we need more detailed images

Sometimes We Need a Closer Look:

• We might take a small sample of your uterine lining (it's quick, we promise)
• Or use a tiny camera to peek inside your uterus (also quick!)

Your Treatment Options (And Yes, There Are Many!)

Here's the best part – we have lots of ways to help you feel better. The right treatment depends on what's causing your heavy bleeding, your age, whether you want kids in the future, and what feels right for you.

Hormone Helpers:

• Birth control (pills, patches, rings, or IUDs) can be game-changers for regulating your cycle
• Progestin therapy to get your hormones back in balance
• Special hormone medications for more severe cases

Non-Hormone Options:

• Anti-inflammatory medications (like ibuprofen) that reduce both bleeding and cramping
• Medications that help your blood clot better
• Iron supplements if you've become anemic

Minimally Invasive Procedures:

• Endometrial ablation – we basically remove the lining of your uterus so there's less to shed each month
• Blocking blood flow to fibroids to shrink them down
• Removing polyps or small fibroids through a tiny scope

When Surgery Makes Sense:

• Robotic hysterectomy – this is where technology gets really cool. If other treatments haven't worked and you're done having children, we can remove your uterus using robotic assistance. This means smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery compared to traditional surgery. The robot gives us incredible precision and you get to go home much sooner than with old-school surgery.
• Fibroid removal surgery if you want to keep your uterus

Ready to Take Control of Your Periods?

Look, we get it. Dealing with heavy periods is exhausting, frustrating, and honestly, kind of embarrassing sometimes. But you don't have to suffer through it anymore. The team at Advanced Women's Health of NJ has helped countless women go from dreading their periods to barely thinking about them.

Heavy bleeding isn't just about discomfort – it can lead to serious health issues like anemia and really impact your quality of life. You deserve to feel confident every day of the month, not just the "good" weeks.

Ready to get your life back? Give us a call at Advanced Women's Health of NJ. We're here to listen, understand what you're going through, and find the solution that's right for you. Because honestly? Life's too short to let your period call the shots.