Heavy periods

What Are Heavy Periods?

Heavy periods, medically known as menorrhagia, refer to menstrual bleeding that is unusually heavy or lasts longer than normal. Although the amount of blood loss can differ from person to person, heavy periods can disrupt your daily life and may signal an underlying health issue. Women with heavy periods might need to change their sanitary protection every hour or two and may pass large blood clots. If left untreated, these symptoms can lead to anaemia and other complications.

What Causes Heavy Periods?

Heavy periods can result from a range of factors, sometimes even a combination of causes. Common reasons include:

• Hormonal imbalance: Disruptions in estrogen and progesterone levels can cause the uterine lining to thicken excessively, resulting in heavier bleeding.
• Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in the uterus can increase menstrual blood loss.
• Polyps: Small, benign growths on the uterine lining may lead to prolonged or heavy periods.
• Endometriosis: When tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, it can cause heavy bleeding and pain.
• Adenomyosis: This occurs when the tissue that lines the uterus begins to grow into the uterine wall, leading to heavier bleeding.
• Blood disorders: Conditions like von Willebrand disease may affect the blood’s ability to clot, resulting in more significant bleeding.
• Medications: Certain drugs, such as anticoagulants or hormonal therapies, can trigger or worsen heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Intrauterine Device (IUD): Some women may experience heavier periods after the insertion of a copper IUD.

What Are the Symptoms of Heavy Periods?

The main symptom of menorrhagia is heavy menstrual bleeding. Additional signs can include:

• Frequently needing to change sanitary protection, for example, every hour or two.
• Passing large blood clots (clots larger than a 10p coin).
• Bleeding that lasts more than seven days.
• Feeling fatigued or short of breath, which may be due to anaemia from blood loss.
• Disruption to daily activities such as work, exercise, or social engagements.

How to Treat Heavy Periods

Treatment options depend on the underlying cause and the severity of your symptoms. Common approaches include:

• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Medications like ibuprofen can help reduce blood loss and relieve pain.
• Hormonal treatments: Options such as birth control pills, hormonal IUDs, or progestin therapy can help regulate or lighten menstrual bleeding.
• Tranexamic acid: This medication assists in reducing blood loss by enhancing the blood’s clotting ability.
• Iron supplements: If heavy bleeding has led to anaemia, iron supplements may be needed to restore iron levels.
• Surgical options: In cases where other treatments do not work, procedures like endometrial ablation or hysterectomy might be considered.

How to Prevent Heavy Periods

While it may not be possible to completely prevent heavy periods, you can manage your symptoms with these steps:

• Maintain a healthy weight, as excess body fat can affect hormone levels.
• Engage in regular exercise to help regulate your menstrual cycle.
• Manage stress through techniques such as yoga or meditation.
• Monitor your cycle to identify patterns or triggers, allowing you to seek timely medical advice.

When to Seek Medical Attention

It is important to consult a healthcare professional if you experience:

• Consistently heavy periods requiring frequent sanitary protection changes or passing large clots regularly.
• Symptoms of anaemia, such as fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
• Irregular bleeding between periods or after menopause.
• Severe pain that cannot be managed with over-the-counter medications.
• A significant impact on your daily activities.

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