Heavy periods
Heavy periods or menorrhagia are standard and might be normal for you. There are treatments to help if heavy periods are affecting your daily activities.
Heavy periods symptoms
You might have heavy periods if you:
- Need to change tampon or pad every 1–2 hours or empty your menstrual cup more frequently than recommended.
- Need 2 types of sanitary products combined, such as a tampon and a pad.
- Have periods that last for a week or more
- Pass blood clots bigger than 2.5cm (the size of a 2rupee coin)
- Bleed through to your bedding or clothes
- Avoid your everyday activities because periods
- Feel tired and short of breath
Heavy periods causes
Heavy periods are often normal, but they can be heavy at different times, like when beginning periods, post-pregnancy, or during menopause. In rare instances, they can be due to:
- Conditions that affect the womb, hormones, and ovaries (polycystic ovary syndrome, fibroids, endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease)
- Certain medications and treatments (including anticoagulant medications and chemotherapy)
- Stress and depression
Very rarely, heavy periods are due to womb cancer.
Consult a doctor if:
- Your heavy periods affect your life
- You have heavy periods for a long time
- You have severe pain
- You bleed after sex or between periods
- You have a heavy period along with symptoms like pain while urinating, pooping, or during intercourse
Heavy periods treatments
Heavy periods often don’t require treatments but seek medical help if they start to affect your daily life. The doctor might prescribe:
- Some types of contraception (including the combined contraceptive pill)
- Medication to reduce bleeding
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers (prescription-only pills)
- Iron deficiency test
The doctor can refer you for further tests or a specialist depending on the results of the treatments mentioned above.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022