Menstruation is a normal, healthy process that takes place each month when your uterus sheds the blood-rich lining it’s built up in preparation to nourish a potential baby. If the egg you released doesn’t get fertilized by sperm, the lining breaks apart and leaves your body through your vagina.
Though heavy periods (i.e., menorrhagia) are common, they are sometimes a sign of an underlying issue, or could lead to other issues. Heavy periods can be disruptive and affect your quality of life, but the complications may be more serious than that. In some cases, you lose too much blood and become deficient in a key nutrient called iron, which puts you at risk for anemia.
Caring and skilled gynecologist, Sonia Enriquez, MD, diagnoses and treats heavy periods at Lake Mary Gynecology in Lake Mary, Florida. Is your period normal or heavy? And if it’s heavy, what can you do about it? Read on for the answers.
The bleeding portion of a normal menstrual cycle — i.e., menstruation or your “period” — lasts anywhere from two to seven days. Periods occur approximately every 28 days. Periods that occur anywhere from every 21-35 days are considered normal.
When you bleed longer than seven days, or more frequently than every 21 days, however, you’re considered to have a heavy period or abnormal bleeding. The volume of blood is also a sign. You likely have a heavy period if you need to double up on protection, or if you have to change your pad or tampon every hour for several consecutive hours.
Heavy bleeding might also cause you to pass blood clots during your period. Clots that are larger than a quarter are abnormal.
Heavy periods are a problem whenever they impact your quality of life. If you have to head to the bathroom to change your protection every hour, or have to deal with leaks that ruin your clothes, then your heavy periods already take a toll.
However, heavy periods don’t just deplete your time and cause you extra stress, they also impact your health. For instance, if you have to wake up multiple times a day to change your pads or tampons, you’re not getting the restorative rest your body needs. Consequently, you may be sleepy during the day, putting you at risk of accidents.
When you lose too much blood for any reason, you could also become iron-deficient or even develop anemia. Signs and symptoms of anemia include:
You may discover that you’re anemic when you try to donate blood. If your hemoglobin (i.e., a protein in your blood that contains iron) is too low, they won’t allow you to donate. If you have any signs or symptoms of anemia, particularly during your period, contact us right away so we can help.
Heavy periods have a variety of causes, which is why it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis. Some reasons why you may bleed more heavily or for longer periods of time than are normal are:
Treatment for your heavy period depends on which factors are involved in your particular case. For instance, if you have prolonged bleeding and are in perimenopause (i.e., the time leading up to menopause), we may stop your abnormal period with the hormone progesterone.
Hormonal therapy also helps other cases of heavy bleeding. We may recommend hormonal birth control, for instance, to normalize your periods. If you have endometriosis and don’t want to have more or any children, we might perform a simple procedure called endometrial ablation.
Your periods shouldn’t impair your quality of life or put you at risk for anemia. If you have heavy periods, contact us for help and treatment today. Phone our helpful staff or use our convenient online booking form.
