How Can I Manage Heavy Periods
Going on certain forms of hormonal contraceptives may help with your heavy menstrual cycle, as these balance your hormones out more. Your doctor may also recommend iron supplements or other treatments. If you find youâre bleeding through tampons really quickly, just trying a higher absorbency tampon may also help. Tampax offers Super and Super Plus tampons that may be a better fit for your flow.
How Do I Know When I Will Get My Next Period
Its impossible to predict when your next period will start. Most girls and women go about 28 days from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, but anywhere from 21-35 days is normal. Especially in the first few years of menstruating, your period may be very irregular. If you track your period on a calendar , you will begin to notice a pattern over time. You can use this menstrual diary to keep track of your periods.
What Will It Be Like
Every females period is different. Periods can vary in duration, frequency, and heaviness. Some females have very light periods, while others have heavy periods.
For some, the first period is light, with a small amount of blood. It may begin gradually, starting with some spotting or brown discharge before becoming red.
For others, periods begin suddenly, with bright red blood appearing straight away. In either case, this is normal. Period blood can range in color from brown to dark red. Some people may also pass small blood clots.
Having a period can feel similar to having vaginal discharge, but some females do not feel much at all.
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Period Bleeding Thats Cause For Concern
Your daughter probably doesnt want to discuss her periodwith you. But talk to her if you notice that she:
- Is going through a huge stack of pads each month
- Has periods that last longer than 10 days
- Has heavy bleeding throughout her entire period
If she does have a bleeding disorder, you might notice theseother signs as well:
- Blood loss when a baby tooth fell out or whilebrushing teeth
- History of significant bleeding during minorsurgery
- Family history of bleeding disorders or heavyperiods
Some unlucky women just have heavier periods than others. But if you have any concerns, its worth taking your teen to see a doctor even if it means risking some heavy-duty eye rolling.
Other Undiagnosed Gynaecological Or Endocrine Issues
Womens health and reproductive medicine specialist, Doctor Andrew Orr, says the most likely cause of heavy periods after giving birth is an undiagnosed gynaecological or endocrine issue.
Often the mother is totally unaware that she has a gynaecological problem because shes been able to get pregnant and have a baby so no-one assumes she has any fertility-related issues. But as some people will know, secondary infertility is a real problem. With secondary infertility, there are no issues getting pregnant the first time, but next time they try, it doesnt happen and everyone wonders why, he says.
Even if you have given birth with the help of an obstetrician, you cannot assume everything has been checked out and you have the all clear.
Some of my patients who have had a c-section have been shocked to discover they have a gynaecological problem, because they assumed the obstetrician would have had a look, and said something after the c-section but they dont check for gynaecological problems, they just get the baby out, Doctor Orr adds.
After a c-section issues such as adhesions and infections can become a problem. And sometimes they have no symptoms at all, or symptoms appear much later.
Some examples of the most common gynaecological and endocrine issues which may contribute to increased blood loss during your period include adenomyosis, endometriosis, polyps, fibroids, PCOS or thyroid issues.
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If You Have A Sharp Pain On One Side
It might be: an ovarian torsion or ruptured ovarian cyst. In the case of a torsion, something has caused the ovary to twist, which cuts off its blood flow ovarian cysts, on the other hand, are quite common and usually unproblematicunless they rupture or break open. Either condition is serious, says Masterson, who describes the pain for both as sharp and stabbing, causing you to double over. You may even experience nausea or vomiting, too.
What to do: Go straight to the ER for medical scans to determine whether a cyst or torsion is causing your severe pain. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, treatment for ruptured cysts is variable, ranging from mild interventions to surgery, but a torsion will pretty much always require surgery to either correct the problem or remove the ovary .
Heavy Bleeding 7 Months After Ufe
Why??? UFE done September 2017 . Nov 17 ist period normal . second one Feb 2018 .also normal . but this one “holy molly” flash back from pte UFE , pelvic pail left side, bleeding to death it feels like and blood clots big ones, I thought I was in the clear until 4 days ago. I don’t know why this is happening. I haven’t gone in for my post MRI. My insurance sucks, so I was putting it off, also I was feeling great. Going to make appt tomorrow need to get more meds also, back to motrin 800 and some nor- cos . Sex life affected again … Anyone else ???
1 like, 31 replies
Posted 3 years ago
I had UFE Feb 2018, and I still have heavy periods it gets really discouraging. I had 9cm and about 100 small fibroids. It’s seems periods last 5 days instead of weeks at a time but when I start I still get weak. I am going or a check up in July, but this is very frustrating. I did this to avoid hysterectomy but I guess I’ll have to see if these things shrunk any. I feel your frustration.
Posted 3 years ago
so sorry to hear, hope it gets better for you, I only had 4 total cysts between 2cm and 4cm , i have only had 3 periods since my procedure in 7/17, just the third scared, i felt that my flow was the same as before and some clots and cramps, which lasted 10 days , But now Im good we’ll see next period, , i still have not scheduled my follow up. but i know i need to soon…
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What Causes A Period
A period happens because of changes in in the body. Hormones are chemical messengers. The ovaries release the female hormones and . These hormones cause the lining of the uterus to build up. The built-up lining is ready for a fertilized egg to attach to and start developing. If there is no fertilized egg, the lining breaks down and bleeds. Then the same process happens all over again.
It usually takes about a month for the lining to build up, then break down. That is why most girls and women get their periods around once a month.
When Should You See A Doctor For Heavy Bleeding
You should call the attention of your doctor when you notice one or some of the following symptoms:
- Extremely heavy menstrual bleeding from the vagina which soaks one tampon at least within the space of two hours.
- Irregular vaginal bleeding. Always take note of when you begin to notice bleeding in between periods.
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How Long Does A First Period Usually Last
You can also consider different kinds of underwear for that time of the month. How Long Do Periods Last? Typically, your first period will last from two to seven days and it may be very light, perhaps just spots of blood. If bleeding is so heavy you have to change a pad or tampon every one to two hours
Heavy periods or infrequent periods should also be evaluated. A change in cycle characteristics is also a reason to seek medical care.
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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Is It Normal For The Period To Be Bright Red
Although many women perceive bright red period blood as indicative of a serious underlying medical condition, this is actually not the case. In fact, the shade of period blood is a measure of how fresh the blood is, brighter the color, fresher the blood. As the hue of the blood changes from bright red, to deep red and then finally to a browner shade, it means that, the blood, which was originally fresh, is becoming older and therefore darker in appearance.
Blood usually tends to be brighter shades of red on the first few days of menstruation. The color gradually becomes darker in shade as periods are about to end as the blood which is shed from the endometrium lining of the uterus, becomes less fresh.
Furthermore, a balanced diet and a healthy uterus may also be responsible for the bright red color of period blood. If the body has sufficient iron stores, menstruation blood is more likely to have a brighter hue.
When Bright Red Period Blood Is Not Normal
However, a bright red shade may not always be normal. If a woman, who normally has a darker colored blood during her period, suddenly experiences bright red blood, the probable causes as to why this happened need to be investigated, as the color may signal a variety of problems.
Frequently Asked Questions Expand All
If these problems do not go away after treatment or if you cannot go to school or do your normal activities, you should talk to your doctor.
Amenorrhea means not having a period. It is normal for some girls not to start their periods until age 16 years. But you should see your doctor if you have not started your period by age 15 years. You also should see your doctor if you have started your period but it then stops for more than 3 months.
If you are bleeding so much that you need to change your pad or tampon every 12 hours or if your period lasts for more than 7 days, you should see your doctor. See your doctor right away if you are light-headed, dizzy, or have a racing pulse.
You should tell your doctor if your periods are usually regular but then become irregular for several months. You also should see your doctor if your period comes more often than every 21 days or less often than every 45 days.
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Other Period Colors And What They Mean
It must be noted, however, that not all women experience bright red period blood. In fact, menstruation blood can be of numerous shades, including dark red, brown or black, orange and pale red or pink. Every shade has its own causes and some may be quite normal to experience whilst others may need medical treatment.
1. Brown or Black Period Blood
Sometimes a woman may also experience blood, which is brown or even black in appearance. Extremely dark blood suggests that the latter is quite old and was shed a considerable time before. Women are more likely to observe these particular colors at the tail end of their menstruation or right at the onset of their period. Usually, this is blood that was lodged in the folds of the uterine lining and was released from the body later. This color is also common for women who experience infrequent or irregular menses. This colored blood is often associated with light bleeding.
2. Dark Period Blood
3. Orange Period Blood
Although not very common, orange period blood is also a possibility that should not be ruled out. Period blood usually has an orange tinge if it is exposed to cervical fluid. Sometimes, however, orange period blood may be indicative of an infection especially if accompanied with a foul odor. If such is the case, it is recommended to see the doctor at once.
4. Pale Red/Pink Period Blood
What Causes Heavy Periods After Childbirth
After I night-weaned my second born, when he was 18 months of age, my period returned with a vengeance. It was so heavy I avoided going out when I had my period, in case of embarrassing leaks.
At first, I didn’t do anything about it, assuming it was due to my hormones getting back into balance after childbirth. But it continued for over a year.
As a result, my iron levels had bottomed out, leaving me feeling more exhausted than ever before.
Feeling defeated, I reached out to a friend, telling her I didn’t know what to do. I thought my period should have returned to normal by now. She suggested I go on the pill which I thought was a great idea.
After all, its what most doctors tell us will help to regulate the menstrual cycle. It also sounded like an attractive quick fix for something that was making me miserable.
What I didnt know at the time was that abnormal blood loss is usually the sign of a problem. The pill won’t fix the underlying issue it’s simply a bandaid fix, masking what’s really going on.
Here are 3 common reasons why periods may be heavy after childbirth.
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Am I Old Enough For Tampons
If you are having your menstrual period, your body is mature enough for using tampons. While many girls get their first periods between age 12 and 14, you may have your first period at a younger or older age. Whether to use tampons or not is a personal decision, there is no age restriction. You will need to learn how to insert a tampon, which can be tricky when you are new to using one.
You must be sure to change it every four to six hours to lessen the risk of toxic shock syndrome. Use the lowest absorbency available and start with those that have a smooth plastic applicator with a rounded tip . You may want to also use a pantyliner in case there is a leak. If you’re active or want to be able to swim during your period, then tampons may be a good choice. You can also consider different kinds of underwear for that time of the month.