What Causes Heavy Periods?
The menstrual cycle isn’t the same for every woman. Do you suffer from heavy periods? Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods, or menorrhagia, can be uncomfortable, but for some women they may be disabling—making it difficult to do everyday activities.
If you suffer from heavy periods (also known as menorrhagia), your periods may cause enough blood loss and severe cramping to affect your daily activities.
Symptoms of a Heavy Period
So do you actually have menorrhagia? Here are the common signs and symptoms of heavy periods:
- Nighttime bleeding that requires you getting up to change pads or tampons
- Passing large blood clots during menstruation
- The need to change tampons or pads every hour or several hours
- Having a period that lasts longer than seven days
- Restricting your daily activities due to heavy periods
- Feeling tired, fatigued, short of breath—all could be linked to an anemic condition
What Causes Heavy Periods?
There are a number of conditions that may cause heavy periods including the ones listed below. A visit to your physician can help you identify which of these conditions may be causing your excessive bleeding.
- Hormone imbalance
- Uterine fibroids
- Small growths on the lining of the uterus
- Using an IUD
- Liver or kidney problems
- Infections
- An ectopic pregnancy
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Uterine, ovarian and cervical cancer—these are rare but a possible cause of heavy bleeding
The most common cause of heavy periods is a hormone imbalance—a balance between the hormones estrogen and progesterone regulates the buildup of the endometrium which is shed during menstruation. If a hormone imbalance occurs, this lining develops in excess and eventually sheds away due to heavy menstrual bleeding.
Fortunately, there are treatments for menorrhagia that can reduce or eliminate heavy periods. If you are having heavy periods, it’s important to see your doctor to determine the cause. Treatment will depend on what’s causing the bleeding. The physicians at My OBGyne will be able to determine what is causing your heavy periods and help you to find relief! . Make an appointment today and get on the road to recovery!