Many people suffer from heavy periods, but treatment can provide relief
Most people don’t look forward to their period, but heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) can be especially unpleasant. If you have heavy periods, it can interfere with your daily activities and overall quality of life. Thankfully, treatment can help manage this common disorder, so that you can focus on your life, not your period.
The San Antonio OBGYNs at Heights Obstetrics & Gynecology offer a wide variety of gynecologic services. Together, we can determine why you have heavier periods and then develop a customized treatment plan to address the problem.
What is considered heavy menstrual bleeding?
No two people experience the same period symptoms and menstrual flow. Some have shorter and lighter cycles, while others have more intense ones. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 27% to 54% of people with periods have heavy bleeding.
Our San Antonio OBGYNs look for the following symptoms to identify heavy periods.
- Soaking through one or more pads or tampons every hour, for multiple hours in a row
- Needing to double up on sanitary protection, such as wearing a pad and a tampon
- Having to wake up several times at night to change your pad or tampon
- Noticing blood clots that are larger than a quarter
- Bleeding for more than a week (seven days)
If you have a heavy flow, you may also feel tired or short of breath due to blood loss. These symptoms can cause you to limit your daily activities. This could look like needing to take time off work or school during your period.
How do you treat heavy periods?
Our San Antonio OBGYNs offer treatments for the different causes of heavy menstrual bleeding. However, it’s important to find out the cause before recommending treatment.
There are several common causes of heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Hormonal imbalances, such as thyroid problems and
- Noncancerous uterine growths, including polyps, adenomyosis and fibroids
- Certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Certain medications and birth control options
- Pregnancy complications, such as a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
- Approaching menopause (perimenopause)
After identifying the cause of a heavier flow, our team can recommend one or more treatments for heavy periods.
- Iron supplements to boost your iron levels
- NSAIDs like ibuprofen to help with cramps and bleeding
- Birth control options to make your period lighter and more regular
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help with perimenopause bleeding
- Hysteroscopy to remove polyps from the uterus
- Myomectomy to remove uterine fibroids
- Endometrial ablation to destroy some or all of the uterine lining
- Hysterectomy to remove the uterus and prevent both periods and pregnancy
If you have heavy menstrual bleeding, you don’t have to live with the discomfort. Our San Antonio OBGYNs are here to help you feel healthy and empowered at every age and stage. To get the effective care and compassionate support you need to manage heavy periods, contact us to schedule a visit. We look forward to helping you find relief from your period.
You may have a heavy period if you soak through one or more pads or tampons every hour for several hours in a row. Other signs include bleeding for a week or more, and passing blood clots that are larger than a quarter. If your menstrual flow limits your daily activities or leaves you tired or out of breath, you may also have a heavy period.
Several issues can cause heavier periods, including hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids, polyps, and conditions ranging from PCOS to thyroid disease.
Yes, treatments are available for heavy periods. Medications that range from oral contraceptives to NSAIDs are often the first-line treatments. If those options do not help, surgical procedures may help you find relief.
