Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Specialist

How can I tell if my periods are unusually heavy?

In a normal menstrual period, a woman passes about an ounce of blood. In a woman with heavy periods, or menorrhagia, more than three ounces of blood are passed. Of course, there's no practical way to tell if you're passing more than three ounces of blood, so a better way to define a heavy period is one in which:

• you need to use tampons and pads together to help control the flow of blood

• you pass clots

• you must change your pad or tampon or both every couple of hours or more frequently to avoid leakage

• your period lasts more than seven days.

Many women with menorrhagia must get up many times during the night to change their protection, and fatigue and anemia are also common side effects of severe menorrhagia.

What causes heavy menstrual bleeding?

Heavy menstrual bleeding occurs most commonly as a result of hormonal changes such as those that occur during menopause or, in some cases, adolescence. But it can also be caused by:

• uterine fibroids

• issues with an IUD

• miscarriage

• ectopic pregnancy

• pelvic inflammatory disease

• cancer of the uterus, ovaries or cervix

• use of blood thinners including a daily aspirin regimen

• kidney, thyroid or liver disease

• adenomyosis, a condition in which the glands of the uterine lining become embedded in the wall of the uterus

What treatments are available for heavy menstrual bleeding?

Treatments for menorrhagia vary based on the underlying cause, and can include:

• medication to decrease the amount of blood loss

• hormone treatments

• minimally-invasive procedures to eliminate the uterine lining or remove fibroids

In severe cases of menorrhagia, you may be prescribed iron supplements to prevent anemia.