What Are The Treatment Options For Heavy Periods
Your doctor should take your symptoms seriously, ask the right questions and use the best tests to find the cause of your heavy periods without undue delay. Treatment will depend on the cause – as mentioned above, often no cause is found. However, there are still treatments that can make periods lighter. Your doctor will explain the benefits and the possible side-effects.
You should be given information about the full range of treatments that could help and what they involve. Your doctor should also support you to choose one that is right for you. If you are still having problems, your doctor should refer you to a healthcare professional with specialist knowledge of diagnosing and treating heavy periods.
Treatment aims to reduce the amount of blood loss. The rest of this leaflet discusses treatment options for women who have regular but heavy periods with no clear cause . This is the majority of cases. If there is an underlying cause, such as a fibroid or endometriosis, treatment options may be different. See the relevant leaflets to read about treatment for these conditions.
When Should You Seek Help From Your Healthcare Provider About Your Period Heaviness
If your period amount is regularly over 80 mL, your period is longer than 8 days in length, or if your menstrual flow is so heavy that you are repeatedly soaking through a pad or tampon every two hours, this is considered heavy menstrual bleeding, and should be discussed with your healthcare provider . This type of excessive menstrual bleeding can impact a personâs quality of life and can cause anemia . Heavy menstrual bleeding can have many potential causes including: fibroids , adenomyosis , problems with blood clotting , uterine polyps , and tumors .
If your period has stopped and you are not taking any form of hormonal contraceptive, you should also discuss this with your healthcare provider, as you could be pregnant.
Even if your period falls out of the âofficialâ typical range, itâs important to know what is ânormalâ for you. The majority of health research is conducted on populations from western industrialized countries, which may not reflect your own personal genetic background or environment. Everybody is different, just as everyones period is different. Speak to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your period volume.
Lets support one another.
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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You Might Have Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is rare in women who get regular Pap tests. Still, thousands of new cases are diagnosed in the US each year. And “bleeding with sex is the main symptom of cervical cancer,” says Dr. Gersh. “The bleeding is typically light and painless. It’s due to the vascular nature of cervical cancer and that the friction of sex can irritate tissue and cause bleeding.”
If you have continued or persistent abnormal bleeding, tell your MD. She’ll want to examine your cervix closeup, and she’ll make sure you’re up to date with your Paps and HPV testing, says Dr. Mahnert. Sure it’s scary. But play it safe and give your doctor the chance to officially rule it out.
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You Have Excruciating Migraines Before Or During Your Period
If migraines were even remotely considerate, theyd at least leave you alone when youre about to get your period. Unfortunately, period migraines are another issue you can add to the list of common period problems.
Its not that menstruation will just randomly cause migraines in unsuspecting people who have never had one, but people with a history of migraines may experience them before or during their periods, according to the Mayo Clinic, which adds that this may be due to estrogen fluctuations. They tend to get the headache right as they go into their periods, and it seems to get better after they have had their menses for a day or two, Dr. Minkin says.
If youre dealing with this, your typical migraine medication may work for you. As you probably know if youve grappled with migraines, the treatment options are legion. They include pain-relieving medications to relieve symptoms ASAP and preventive drugs to ward off migraines altogether, according to the Mayo Clinic. In the former camp, you have choices like anti-nausea meds and triptans, which constrict swollen blood vessels and block pain pathways in the brain. In the latter, youve got meds like tricyclic antidepressants, which affect brain chemicals like serotonin that may be implicated in migraines.
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Emergency Treatment To Rapidly Stop Heavy Bleeding
Some women have very heavy bleeding during a period. This can cause a lot of blood loss, and distress. One option as an emergency treatment is to take a course of norethisterone tablets. Norethisterone is a progestogen medicine. Progestogens act like the body’s natural progesterone hormones – they control the build-up of cells lining the womb .So, if a period is very heavy or prolonged, your doctor may advise that you take norethisterone tablets. A dose of 5 mg three times daily for 10 days is the usual treatment. Bleeding usually stops within 24-48 hours of starting treatment. If bleeding is exceptionally heavy then 10 mg three times daily may be given. This should then be tapered down to 5 mg three times daily for a week, once your bleeding has stopped.
Is Every Heavy Flow Considered To Be Hmb
Heavy menstrual bleeding is also known as menorrhagia. This medical term refers to abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding. Although its quite difficult to estimate the incidence of HMB, its somewhere in the range of 5 to 30 percent, according to different sources.
It can be challenging to maintain your normal daily activities with HMB because of significant blood loss. And some bleeding can be very heavy, leading to the need to change your tampon or pad frequently . If you think your periods are like this, talk with your health care provider about possible treatment options.
Various things can cause heavy menstrual bleeding. Here are some of the causes:
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Why We Need To Update & Demand More Menstrual Research
Now, has my research led me to the right conclusion? I cant be sure of that but according to the published research that I found, I will draw some further thoughts and questions from my adventure here: Does the indicated norm of blood loss by e.g. NHS take into account all the menstrual fluid or does it refer only to the quantity of blood?
If, technically speaking, the 30-50ml norm is the standard for an unproblematic period, then the problem is not the quantity but the fact that the terms used are misleading: its not 30-50ml of menstrual flow, it’s 30-50 ml of menstrual blood. As you could see in my calculations above, 40ml of menstrual blood corresponds to about 111ml of menstrual flow .
This means we definitely have to be more accurate about the words we use – its very important that heavy bleeders facing health risks get help – that should be put at the forefront of it all.
But it is also important not to scare people unnecessarily – how can we improve the information to be more helpful and inclusive of all kinds of period experiences and as nuanced as possible? Periods have been stigmatized and mystified in our society for so long – just think about the decades that ads made periods a blue, sterile, homogenous liquid free from blood clots.
This mystification and taboo that surrounds periods have certainly not contributed to inclusivity and nuanced information about the menstrual fluid and periods in general – we need much more research and clarity.
An Endometrial Polyp Is To Blame
This sounds scarier than it is. “Polyps are like tear drops of tissue that form in the reproductive tract on the cervix or inside the uterus,” explains Dr. Gersh. They’re benign, and they can range in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. Polyps can hang down from the cervix into the vagina, where they might get touched or hit during sex. “They have many blood vessels feeding them and can bleed if bumped around, so you’d see small amounts of blood after intercourse,” she says.
It’s worth noting that polyps are more common among older women, generally age 40 and above. If you suspect a polyp is to blame for any blood you see after sex, your ob-gyn can diagnose you, says Dr. Gersh.
Read Also: How To Help A Girl With Period Cramps
When Do Most Girls Get Their Period
Most girls get their first period when theyre around 12. But getting it any time between age 10 and 15 is OK. Every girls body has its own schedule.
There isnt one right age for a girl to get her period. But there are some clues that it will start soon:
- Most of the time, a girl gets her period about 2 years after her breasts start to develop.
- Another sign is vaginal discharge fluid that a girl might see or feel on her underwear. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period.
Potential Causes For Large Blood Clots During Your Period
Passing blood clots during your menstrual cycle is often a normal occurrence during the heaviest days of your period. In fact, most women experience clots at some point in their lives however, heavy bleeding and passing large clots can sometimes Read More
Passing blood clots during your menstrual cycle is often a normal occurrence during the heaviest days of your period. In fact, most women experience clots at some point in their lives however, heavy bleeding and passing large clots can sometimes be a cause for concern.
Are huge blood clots normal during your period? What other symptoms can you look out for to ensure that more worrisome health conditions arent occurring?
Menorrhagia is defined as menstrual bleeding that can be heavier than usual. If youre changing your tampon every two hours or sooner, or are passing blood clots the size of a quarter or larger, you may be suffering from heavy periods. This is uncomfortable and often painful, and many women suffer from the debilitating symptoms that come from heavy periods.
There are numerous potential reasons that your period is getting heavier and youre passing abnormal period clots, and the good news is that many of the conditions and reasons for these symptoms are both common and treatable.
Here are seven reasons why you may be passing big blood clots and experiencing heavier-than-normal periods:
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Scanty Period: What Causes Less Bleeding During Periods
If perhaps you just noticed less bleeding during periods , it may not mean much. During the menstrual cycle and because of hormone imbalance, you may experience lighter than usual bleeding sometimes.
However, if persistent for many periods, it may indicate a problem.
In some women, lighter than usual period bleeding may be the first sign of pregnancy. This occurs because of implantation bleeding.
Other reasons for a light period are perimenopause, drugs, sexual intercourse with a vaginal tear, weight loss, hypothalamus dysfunction, contraceptives, abortion and thyroid problems.
Check If You Have Heavy Periods
You may have heavy periods if you:
- need to change your pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, or empty your menstrual cup more often than is recommended
- need to use 2 types of sanitary product together, such as a pad and a tampon
- have periods lasting more than 7 days
- pass blood clots larger than about 2.5cm
- bleed through to your clothes or bedding
- avoid daily activities, like exercise, or take time off work because of your periods
- feel tired or short of breath a lot
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Cervical Causes Of Bleeding
Unlike the vagina, bleeding from the cervix after sex usually isnt heavy enough to bring you to the emergency room in the middle of the night. Typically theres a limited amount of bright red blood. It can be so minimal that you only notice it when youre wiping yourself or changing your sheets.
Even though it may be minimal, its still important to discuss any bleeding after sex with your healthcare provider. Essentially there are four reasons why your cervix may bleed after sex.
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Common Reasons You Experience Bleeding After Your Period Has Ended
Observing blood stains after your period is over is not something very unnatural, unless you have been diagnosed with some major health complication. This HerHaleness article presents the most probable reasons behind such bleeding. Read on…
Observing blood stains after your period is over is common. This HerHaleness article presents the most probable reasons behind such bleeding. Read on
Normally, a woman undergoes periods for 3 to 5 days. The time span between onset of the next period ranges between 28 to 30 days, and this phase is known as a menstrual cycle. In most cases, discharge of blood or spotting doesnt take place during the break period. However, a woman might observe bleeding after a period has ended. But why does this happen? Is it normal to undergo spotting during mid-menstrual cycles? Or do you need an immediate medical check up? Well, its natural for a woman to ponder on these health questions, because menstruation holds considerable significance in a womans life. Here, in this article, we shall let you know why menstruation takes place, and the reasons behind blood after period is over.
- Implantation bleeding. You will observe dark reddish brown fluid in a discharge from your vagina. This usually occurs 8-10 days after fertilization. You might think that this spotting will lead to your period because such spotting occurs often before you test positive on a pregnancy test.
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How Is Menorrhagia Managed
To manage menorrhagia, some women stay home on days when they are bleeding heavily. Others leave the house if they know a bathroom will be nearby. Also, it is a good practice to keep pads and/or tampons in your purse or at work. Wearing dark pants or skirts can help if you are worried about stains on light-colored clothing. Additionally, you can use a waterproof sheet on your mattress to prevent stains.
Related: This Woman’s Photo Shows What It’s Really Like To Live With Extreme Pms
Anticoagulants, often referred to as blood thinners, are often taken to help people reduce and break up potentially dangerous blood clots. While anticoagulants like aspirin allow blood to flow through your body more easily, thus decreasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke, they also allow blood to flow more freely down there, according to research from the Royal Free Hospital in London. Your M.D. could help you figure out what meds might be best to prevent this from happening.
Watch 5 women share their first period stories:
Abnormally heavy periods might also be a sign of blood disorder. While there are many different types of blood conditions, two to four million Americans suffer from von Willebrand disease , which means they dont have a specific blood-clotting protein, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. See your doc if you think you might have this problem.
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