Heavy Periods

How Do You Know If Your Periods Are Too Heavy?

Heavy periods aren’t just about discomfort; there is usually an underlying reason why you’ll be bleeding more heavily than usual. If you’re soaking through one or more sanitary products every hour for several consecutive hours, passing large blood clots, or needing to double up on protection to prevent leaks, this may indicate heavy menstrual bleeding that is not normal for you. Other signs include bleeding for more than seven days or experiencing symptoms of anaemia, such as extreme tiredness or breathlessness, due to heavy blood loss.

Not only can heavy bleeding interfere with your daily life – it can leave you feeling exhausted, frustrated and unable to enjoy the things you like doing. If your periods feel unusually heavy, the expert care, advice and treatments we deliver could greatly improve your quality of life.

What Causes Heavy Periods?

The causes of heavy periods will be different for everybody, and sometimes it’s not always clear why you might be bleeding more heavily than usual. If you are in perimenopause, you might be experiencing heavier than normal (or irregular) periods, due to the fluctuation in your hormones at this time. Some other common causes might include: 

• Fibroids or Polyps: Non-cancerous growths in the uterus can increase bleeding.
• Hormonal Imbalances: Changes in the levels of oestrogen and progesterone can lead to a thickened uterine lining and heavier bleeding.
• Endometriosis or Adenomyosis: Conditions where uterine tissue grows outside or into the uterine muscle may cause pain and heavy bleeding.
• Specific Medications: Blood thinners or hormonal medications may contribute to a heavier-than-normal flow.
• Bleeding Disorders: Rare conditions like von Willebrand disease can affect clotting.
• Other Health Conditions: Thyroid issues, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or even certain cancers can be underlying factors of heavy bleeding.

Common Symptoms of Heavy Periods

Heavy periods are often more than just heavy bleeding. You might experience additional symptoms such as:

• Passing blood clots larger than a 50p coin.
• Needing to wake up during the night to change your sanitary towel or tampon to avoid leaking.
• Bleeding that lasts over a week.
• Experiencing exhaustion, weakness, and dizziness, which may be a sign that you have anaemia due to blood loss.

These symptoms can significantly affect your work, social life, and overall confidence, so it’s really important that you get the right help at the earliest opportunity.

Diagnosing Heavy Periods

At our clinic we’ll always aim to find the root cause of your heavy periods. This will typically involve going through your medical history together, and doing a blood test to check for ​​anaemia or certain hormonal imbalances.  We may also carry out a pelvic ultrasound scan to check for fibroids, polyps, or other anomalies in your uterus.

By assessing the possible reasons for your heavy bleeding, we can then recommend the most appropriate treatment options for you.

Can Heavy Periods Be Effectively Managed?

Treatment for heavy periods will depend on the cause and severity, as well as additional factors such as your age, overall health, and whether you wish to have children. Options include:

• Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce blood loss and reduce menstrual cramps. Hormonal treatments such as the contraceptive pill or hormonal IUDs can also help to regulate or lighten blood flow.
• Surgical Interventions: We might recommend procedures such as polyp removal, or fibroid surgery where necessary.
• Iron Supplements: If you are shown to have anaemia, topping up your iron levels is essential.

When Should You Seek Help for Heavy Periods?

If heavy periods are disrupting your daily life, affecting your physical health, or your confidence, it’s important to seek help. Our women’s healthcare team – made up of consultant gynaecologists, endocrinologists, sonographers and GPs with a specialism in gynaecology – offer personalised care, with treatment plans designed especially to suit your needs.

Visit Our London Clinic

We’re here to offer our care and expertise and discuss the best treatment options for you, with affordable appointments often available at short notice. To find out more, please telephone 020 7244 4200 or make an appointment online.