Changes To Your Birth Control
I have written about methods of contraception in previous blogs but here I focus on how changing birth control methods can affect the amount you bleed.
Contraceptive patch and the pill
These contraceptives usually result in a lighter flow so if youve recently stopped using either of them you may experience a heavier period.
The non-hormonal coil
This common contraceptive is non-hormonal and commonly referred to as the copper coil. It is inserted in the uterus by a doctor or nurse to stop you getting pregnant. Although it is very effective and can last for years, it comes with the unfortunate side effect of heavier and more painful periods.
Nevertheless, this is only temporary problem and things should settle down after a few period cycles. After all, the body needs time to adjust to the new hormone balance that contraceptives bring.
There is an alternative, hormonal coil known as the Mirena coil which can offer some hormonal support, and in some cases, make periods much lighter, shorter, or can even cause them to disappear completely.
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Hormonal Contraceptives And Other Medications
Hormonal contraceptives can inhibit the growth of the uterine lining. A progestin-releasing intrauterine device may reduce menstrual blood flow by .
Hormonal contraceptives also can be beneficial in slowing the growth of fibroids and other uterine adhesions.
For women who cant or dont want to use hormones, a common option is the medication tranexamic acid , which affects blood clotting.
Changes In Your Periods
Your periods can change for example, they may last longer or get lighter. This does not necessarily mean theres a problem, but it does need to be investigated.
You can see your GP, or visit your nearest womens clinic or contraceptive clinic.
Bleeding between periods, bleeding after having sex, or bleeding after the menopause needs to be checked by a doctor.
It might be caused by an infection, abnormalities in the neck of the womb or, in rare cases, it could be cancer.
You could be pregnant if you miss a period and youve had sex. See your GP if youve taken a pregnancy test and the result is negative and youve missed 3 consecutive periods.
They will investigate the cause and recommend any necessary treatment.
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How Do You Know If You Have Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Heavy menstrual bleeding interferes with your quality of life. Many people with heavy periods assume that periods are supposed to be inconvenient and uncomfortable. They may have watched people in their families live with heavy periods without seeking care and followed their example. But periods should never cause you to restrict activities or accept inconvenience.
During your period, you should be able to:
- Wear a standard pad or tampon every three to four hours without changing it.
- Wear a single menstrual product without having to double-up at any point.
- Leave your home without having to pack extra bags of pads or clothing changes.
- Live your life as usual, without missing work, avoiding going out in public, or skipping activities you enjoy.
If your periods are disrupting your life, it’s time to see your provider.
Uterine Polyps Or Fibroids
A blockage in the uterus may stop it from contracting as it should, meaning that it cannot force the blood out as quickly as usual. The blood will leave the body more slowly so it will have more time to pool and form clumps.
The blockage can also cause a heavier flow, which results in more blood pooling.
Blockages may occur as a result of growths in the uterus. These include uterine polyps and fibroids, which are not cancerous but can cause other health issues without proper management.
Uterine polyps and fibroids consist of either endometrial or muscular tissue that grows in the uterine wall. They can cause symptoms such as:
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What Is The Normal Menstrual Flow
In a randomly selected group of premenopausal women, the most common amount of menstrual flow was about two tablespoons in a whole period . However the amount of flow was highly variableit ranged from a spot to over two cups in one period! Women who are taller, have had children and are in . That means it is normal to soak one to seven normal-sized pads or tampons in a whole period.
What Are The Symptoms Of Menorrhagia
If you have to change your pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours because it is soaked, or bleed longer than 7 days, see your doctor. Spotting or bleeding between periods is also a sign of a problem.
The symptoms of menorrhagia may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
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Abnormal Period Blood Clots
Menorrhagia refers to heavy menstrual bleeding and menstrual bleeding that lasts more than seven days.
Your flow is considered heavy when you have to change your pad or tampon after less than two hours, or you are passing blood clots that are the size of a quarter or larger.
Depending on your age and medical history, there are many conditions that could be increasing the volume of your menstrual flow and/or causing abnormally large clots to form.
Some of these conditions include:
A Period Thats Heavy On The First Day
Many women experience heavier bleeding on the first day of a period and lighter bleeding on the last days. A heavy flow that might get in the way of your normal activities is unusual.
Birth control changes
If you recently stopped using hormonal birth control, your periods may be very heavy in the first days as your cycle adjusts to the hormone changes.
Medication changes
Like birth control, medications you take may interfere with your cycle and lead to heavy bleeding on the first day of your period.
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Heavy Periods In Perimenopause: More Like An Exclamation Point
Itâs like your menstrual cycle is going out with a bang. For many women, their periods get more erratic and heavier before they stop entirely. During a time that is already stressful, concerns about leaking and excessive bleeding can negatively impact the quality of your life. Youâre not alone.
Occasional heavy periods, , are common in perimenopause. One study of more than 1,300 middle-aged women reported that 91 percent of them experienced at least one occurrence of heavy flow lasting three or more days during a three-year timeframe. Twenty five percent reported up to three episodes of heavy bleeding for 10 or more days during a six-month time period.
When To See A Healthcare Provider
Verywell / Emily Roberts
See your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:
- Blood clots are larger than a quarter
- An excessive amount of blood clots
- Menstrual bleeding that is heavy and requires you to change your tampon or pad every couple of hours
- Bleeding lasts longer than seven days
- Extreme abdominal pain with nausea or vomiting
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Iron Deficiency And Anaemia
If you have heavy periods each month, one of the key things to watch out for is iron deficiency. One of the most common causes of iron deficiency is prolonged or heavy periods. This can leave you feeling tired and lacking energy. In some cases, this can even lead to anaemia.
Ask your doctor or nurse if you need a blood test to check your ferritin and full blood count. If your results indicate your iron is low, you may need to also take iron supplements.
What Causes Blood Clots During Periods
Although small period blood clots may be normal in most cases, there can be several underlying health issues that may cause them. Large blood clots during periods typically indicate an underlying issue, therefore, its important to be aware of any new changes in your cycle. To determine what is causing your period clots, we recommend tracking your symptoms and sharing detailed descriptions with your doctor.
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Period Blood Clots: Whats Normal & Whats Not
Finding a clot in your tampon, pad, menstrual cup or menstrual disc does not mean you need to rush to your doctors office. Normal period clots are:
- Smaller than a quarter
- Occasional and usually on heavier days
- Bright red or dark red
- Blackish, especially if theyre larger
- Brown, especially later in your cycle
That said, sometimes, period clots can be a symptom of another condition. Look out for period clots that are:
- Frequently larger than a quarter
- Accompanied by heavier-than-usual menstrual bleeding
- Grayish and/or happening when you think you could be pregnant
- Accompanied by lots of pain that isnt normal for your period
- Accompanied by anemia or easy bruising2
At times, clots can form for other reasons including certain underlying health conditions. Knowing whats normal for you will help you decide whether or not you should see a healthcare provider. When in doubt, it never hurts to make a quick call.
When To See Your Healthcare Provider For Heavy Bleeding
Consider talking to your healthcare provider if you see any of the following :
-
No period bleeding for 3-6 months
-
Bleeding or spotting in between periods
-
Soaking one or more pads/tampons every hour
-
Bleeding for longer than 7 days
-
Bleeding or spotting after sex
-
Blood clots larger than the size of a quarter
-
Large grayish clots
-
Any changes that see out of the normal for your period
Consider seeking emergency care if you:
-
Feel lightheaded, dizzy, short of breath, or experience chest pain related to period bleeding
For some people, blood clots are most common on the heaviest days of their period. If you experience heavy period bleeding and are worried, you should consider talking with a healthcare provider. Even if you do not have the symptoms in this article, being worried is reason enough to check in with your healthcare provider. Consider talking with your friends about your periods, because sharing what each of your period blood looks like and how it changes cycle to cycle may bring reassurance to you all. You may see that what you’re experiencing is similar to your friends’ experiences too.
to track your bleeding and symptoms during your period to better understand what is normal for you, and to spot any changes.
An original version of this article was published September 27th 2017.
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Everything You Need To Know About Period Clots
- Not to be confused with venous or thrombosis clots , period blood clots are perfectly normal and usually nothing to worry about
- Normal period clots are smaller than a quarter and red, brown, or black-ish in color they show up occasionally and are most common on your periods heavier days
- Keep an eye on your flow. Abnormal clots tend to be larger than a quarter and may be grayish in color. They may also be accompanied by heavy bleeding or unusual pain
Vaginal Infections In Women
What are vaginal infection symptoms?
Abnormal discharge like greenish yellowish discharge, yellowish smelly discharge or thick white discharge with odor are symptoms of vaginal infections. Others are vaginal itching, vulva sore, fever, abdominal pain and body weakness.
You should inform your doctor if you have these symptom. Vaginal discharge samples are collected and tested for the cause. Treatment with antibiotics will follow after testing your blood and vaginal discharge with good success rate.
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How To Get Rid Of Heavy Period Surgically
Surgery can be an option if medically treatment of heavy flow fails. If you already completed childbirth, then surgery option totally solves your bleeding problems.
Endometrial ablation
This process uses an electrical diathermy loop to destroy the endometrium preventing it from regenerating.
Hysterectomy
Removal of the fibroid mass
Nearing 40 Expect Changes To Your Period
Chances are youve been managing, trackingand perhaps lamentingyour period for decades. And you may know your menstrual cycle well. But dont get too comfortable change is likely just around the corner.
Some women believe their period changes after pregnancy. But its our age that affects our menstrual cycle, explains , OB/GYN at Main Line Health. Around age 40, expect to see some changes in your period.
Heres whats possible:
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Key Points About Heavy Period Bleeding
What Causes Blood Clots During Period With Pain
If you have prolonged periods and pain, then it may be due to an infection, endometriosis, adenomyosis or a sign of dysmenorrhea. Both adenomyosis and endometriosis can cause period blood clots with pain. However, this can be relieved with analgesics like ibuprofen or naproxen. If you have an infection, then antibiotics and pain relief drugs will help.
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What Counts As A Heavy Period
First, lets recap real quick how periods work in general. Each month your body prepares for a potential pregnancy by lining your uterus with blood and tissue. If no pregnancy occurs, the blood and tissue are shed in the form of your monthly period.
So, what constitutes a typical flow versus a heavy one? Keep in mind that every womans periods are different. While its normal to have some heavier and some lighter days, your normal might not match up with someone elses.
Whats usual for you can change over time too. Birth control pills and IUDs can make your period lighter or heavier. Your periods can also change after having a baby and again as you get closer to menopause.
Even with all that variation, very heavy periods can be abnormal. Menorrhagia is a condition in which your period goes on for more than 7 days or the flow is super intense. That might mean you:
- soak through one or more pads or tampons per hour for several hours in a row
- need to change your pad or tampon in the middle of the night
- need to double up on pads
- pass blood clots that are bigger than a quarter
- have constant or intense abdominal cramping during your period
- avoid doing the things you normally do because your period feels too heavy
- feel tired, sluggish, or out of breath during your period
Certain health factors can also cause your periods to become heavier. Some of the things that can cause a heavier than typical flow include:
Bleeding thats heavier but still on the normal side might look like:
Very Large Blood Clots Is It Normal Sometimes
No. If you experience very large blood clots during your period, then you should book an appointment with your doctor. Very large blood clots may be due to
- Fibroid if less than 40 years
- Cancer or endometrial thickening if you are more than 40 years
Now its your turn. Do you have prolonged bleeding with clots? Let us know if we can help.
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Tranexamic Acid And Non
Non-invasive treatment options are widely available and its these that seem to have the most effect. Tablets such as tranexamic acid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets are beneficial, Dr Russell says. If these options have been tried unsuccessfully, then there are more drastic treatment options such as surgery.
Tranexamic acid is a commonly used medicine to help control bleeding of various types, including dental and nose bleeds, as well as menstrual bleeding. It normally comes in tablet form, the NHS explains, but it’s also available in liquid, mouthwash, and injection forms.
Lesley Bourne, 50, from Buckinghamshire, originally had a Mirena coil fitted for her heavy periods but it stopped working, leading to a heavy bleed and a trip to the emergency room one evening. Here, she wasn’t seen by the gynecologist. Instead, she was given tranexamic acid and sent home.
Two days later I started clotting and went to A& E again, only to be told Im menopausal and its common. Then I went to my GP to have the coil taken out but that wasnt possible, so now I finally have a gynecologist appointment next month. But its taken three referrals and Im taking norethisterone to stop the bleeding, but I still lose a clot of blood here and there and get crampy pains.
Norethisterone is another drug used in the treatment of adverse gynecological issues, confirms the National Institute for Healthcare and Excellence, but this is a progesterone hormone replacement.
Some Are Normal But Others Can Be A Sign Of Issues Like Uterine Fibroids
Peter Weiss, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN and expert in women’s health.
For most individuals who menstruate, occasional period blood clots are normal and nothing to be concerned about. That said, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and other conditions can cause blood clots to appear in your period blood too.
One sign of an abnormal blood clot is that it is the size of a quarter or larger.
This article explains what period blood clots are made of, how they form, and signs that they may not be normal and need to be evaluated by a healthcare practitioner.
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