Introduction:
Heavy periods, also referred to as menorrhagia, affect many women in their reproductive years. Although it is a common gynecological issue, it can be the cause of an underlying medical condition.
Hence, it is important to consult with a gynecologist as soon as possible. In this article, let us briefly discuss heavy periods, the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available for heavy periods.
Heavy periods (menorrhagia)
Heavy menstrual bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, is a common menstrual disorder that a lot of women go through.
Menorrhagia is a condition where the menstrual bleeding is heavier than usual and lasts more than 7 days.
Symptoms of heavy periods
The common symptoms of a heavy period include the following:
- Heavy bleeding that lasts for more than 7 days
- Drenching a pad, tampon, or filling a menstrual cup within 2 hours.
- Blood clots that are bigger in size
- You need to change the sanitary pad, tampon, or dunk the menstrual fluid from the menstrual cup, even at midnight.
- Tiredness or exhaustion
- Anemia
11 Causes of heavy periods
There are a lot of causes of heavy bleeding during periods, including:
1. Hormonal imbalance
The hormones estrogen and progesterone play an important role in regulating the menstrual cycle.
But when there is an imbalance in these hormones, the endometrium becomes too thick, which results in heavy periods.
2. Issues in the ovaries
When there is any issue in the ovaries (PCOS, ovarian cyst, endometriosis) and it does not release an egg, ovulation does not happen.
This phenomenon is called anovulation, which results in lower levels of progesterone.
The hormonal imbalance causes anovulation, which leads to heavy menstrual bleeding.
3. Fibroids
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that occur outside of the uterus. These growths can potentially lead to heavy periods.
4. PCOS
Women with PCOS tend to have higher levels of estrogen and lower levels of progesterone, causing the uterine lining to thicken, thus resulting in heavy periods.
5. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the endometrium grows outside the uterus, typically on the pelvic organs, resulting in heavier periods.
6. Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is a condition where the uterus area is bigger than usual. In this condition, a tissue similar to endometrium grows in the wall of the uterus, which results in irregular periods.
7. Uterine polyps
Polyps on the uterine lining are excessive tissue growths that are attached to the endometrium. These polyps affect the menstrual cycle, resulting in heavier and more irregular periods.
8. IUD
An IUD (Intrauterine device) is a contraceptive device that is inserted into the vagina. Heavy periods are one of the common outcomes of using IUD.
9. Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a rare genetic condition where blood doesn’t clot normally as it does not contain enough proteins for blood clotting.
Thus it results in heavy bleeding during menstrual cycles.
10. Medicines
The use of certain medications, including birth control pills, can interrupt the hormones, resulting in heavy periods.
11. Miscarriage
Miscarriage is the sudden loss of a fetus during pregnancy. It is common for women to have heavy periods a few days after a miscarriage.
Tips to manage heavy periods
To manage heavy bleeding during a period:
- Have a healthy diet with all the essential nutrients, including iron and calcium. Vitamin C and adequate protein
- Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day.
- Involve yourself in physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Consult with a gynecologist and get adequate treatment if the heavy period is due to any underlying medical condition.
Treatment for heavy periods
Gynecologists might recommend:
- Surgery to remove any cysts, fibroids, or tissues that are the cause of heavy periods
- Birth control pills
- Hormone therapy
- Medication to control bleeding
- Dietary supplements
Conclusion
Although it is normal to have heavy periods during the first few days of the cycle—extremely heavy periods where you have the need to change the pad, tampon, or cup every few hours, even at midnight, you need to consult with a gynecologist as it is not at all considered normal.
On average, every woman loses about 30 to 40 ml, which is around 2-3 tbsp of blood, during every menstrual cycle, whereas women with heavy periods lose double the amount.
Hence, it is important to consult with a gynecologist and get adequate treatments to control the flow.
For consultations with the best gynecologist in Chennai, Dr. Deepthi Jammi, contact Jammi Scans at 7338771733 for easy appointments.
Chennai Women’s Clinic is now Jammi Scans
FAQs:
1. Why is it that my period is so heavy?
Your periods can be heavy due to several underlying reasons, including hormonal imbalance, endometriosis, fibroids, and cysts. It is important to consult with a gynecologist and receive adequate treatment.
2. How can I control my heavy period flow?
To control heavy period flow, consult with a gynecologist and get treatment. The gynecologist might recommend tablets and other options to control excessive bleeding during the period.
3. What is good for heavy periods?
It is good to take a healthy and nutritious diet to control heavy bleeding with all the essential nutrients. Apart from that, it is also important to do some sort of physical exercise every day for at least 30 minutes.
4. What home remedy can I use to stop heavy periods?
You can try home remedies, including:
- Herbal teas
- Hot or cold compress
- Nutritious meal
- Pelvic exercise
5. Do periods get heavier with age?
Although not all women get heavier periods as they age, it is still possible for some women to have heavy periods temporarily as they age.
Heavy periods could also be due to an underlying medical condition, and you need to consult with a gynecologist as soon as possible.
