Heavy Periods: Causes, Treatment & Prevention



Heavy Periods: Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Heavy periods, medically known as menorrhagia, can significantly affect a woman’s daily life. If you're changing sanitary pads every hour, avoiding social activities, or feeling fatigued during your cycle, it's time to take it seriously. At Isha Women’s Hospital, we understand how distressing heavy menstrual bleeding can be, and we’re here to help you understand the causes, available treatments, and preventive measures.


What Are Heavy Periods?

While periods are a normal part of every woman’s life, they can become a concern when they are unusually heavy, painful, or prolonged. This condition is called menorrhagia, or heavy menstrual bleeding.
It’s more than just a strong flow—MENORRHAGIA refers to excessive or extended bleeding that can interfere with your daily activities and impact your physical, emotional, and social well-being.
If not treated, it can lead to complications like anaemia, fatigue, and stress, making it important to seek timely medical attention.
Signs Your Period Might Be Too Heavy:
  • You're soaking through pads or tampons in less than 2 hours
  • You pass large blood clots, often the size of a coin or bigger
  • You need to change your pad or tampon during the night
  • Your period lasts for more than 7 days
  • You feel tired, dizzy, or weak (these are signs of anaemia from blood loss)
If you're experiencing these signs, it's time to speak to a doctor.
 


Common Causes of Heavy Periods

Heavy menstrual bleeding doesn’t happen without a reason. Several medical conditions and factors can cause or contribute to it. Understanding these causes can help you take the right steps toward treatment.


Hormonal Imbalance (Estrogen & Progesterone):

Your menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help build up and shed the lining of your uterus each month. If there’s an imbalance—like too much estrogen or too little progesterone—the lining can become too thick. When it sheds, it leads to heavier and longer periods.


Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):

PCOS is a common hormonal disorder where the ovaries may not release eggs regularly. This causes irregular cycles, and when your period does come, it may be heavier than usual due to the buildup of the uterine lining over time.
Uterine Fibroids:
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus. Depending on their size and location, they can press on blood vessels and make your periods longer, heavier, and more painful.
Endometriosis or Adenomyosis:
In endometriosis, the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside it, causing painful and heavy periods.
In adenomyosis, this same tissue grows into the muscle wall of the uterus, which can lead to prolonged bleeding and severe cramps.
Thyroid Disorders:
Your thyroid gland controls many body functions, including menstruation. Both an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can disturb your menstrual cycle and result in heavy or irregular bleeding.
Blood Clotting Disorders:
Some women are born with conditions that prevent their blood from clotting properly, like Von Willebrand disease. This can cause periods to be unusually heavy and hard to manage, especially during adolescence.
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs):
Some types of copper IUDS, which are used for birth control, can cause heavier or longer periods, especially in the first few months after insertion. However, hormonal IUDS may reduce bleeding in some women.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
PID is an infection in the reproductive organs, often caused by sexually transmitted bacteria. It can lead to irregular, heavy bleeding, along with pelvic pain and fever.
Medications (e.g. Anticoagulants)
Some medications—especially blood thinners used for heart conditions or clots—can make you bleed more than usual during your periods. Always inform your doctor about any medications you’re taking if you notice changes in your cycle.
If you're experiencing heavy periods regularly, it's not something you should ignore. The good news is that most causes can be diagnosed and treated effectively with the help of a gynaecologist.
Dr. Chinmay Pataki — the best gynecologist and fertility expert in Dombivli — provides expert diagnosis and personalized treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding. His compassionate approach, combined with advanced medical technology, ensures the highest quality care for every patient.


How Heavy Periods Affect Your Health


Heavy periods don’t just mean more bleeding—they can have a real impact on your overall health and quality of life.
Physical Impact
  • Anaemia: Losing too much blood every month can lead to anemia, a condition where your body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells. This can make you feel weak, cold, or short of breath.
  • Fatigue: Constant blood loss and anemia can leave you feeling tired all the time, even if you’re getting enough rest.
  • Pelvic Pain: Heavy periods are often linked to conditions like fibroids or endometriosis, which can cause ongoing lower abdominal or pelvic pain.
Emotional and Lifestyle Effects
  • Missed Work or School: Heavy bleeding and pain can make it hard to carry on with your normal daily activities, leading to frequent absences from work or school.
  • Stress, Anxiety, or Embarrassment: Worrying about leaking, frequent bathroom visits, or pain in public can create emotional stress, social discomfort, and lower self-confidence.


Diagnosing and Treating Heavy Periods


Heavy periods may seem like something to just deal with, but if they’re interfering with your life, it’s time to act. Let’s look at when to see a doctor, how the problem is diagnosed, and the treatment options available.
When Should You See a Doctor?
You don’t have to suffer in silence. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s important to consult a gynaecologist:
  • Your periods are affecting your daily life – like missing work, school, or social activities.
  • You pass large blood clots or experience severe cramping that painkillers don’t help.
  • You feel tired, dizzy, or pale, which could be signs of anemia from blood loss.
  • You bleed between periods, after sex, or experience spotting after menopause.

These symptoms may point to underlying health conditions that need medical attention.
 


How Are Heavy Periods Diagnosed?

To find out what’s causing your heavy bleeding, your doctor will carry out a few important tests. Such as: -
Pelvic Exam: A routine physical check to look for abnormalities in your uterus or cervix.
Ultrasound Scan: This imaging test shows the inside of your uterus and can detect fibroids, polyps, or other issues.
Blood Tests: These include:
  • CBC (Complete Blood Count) – checks for anaemia.
  • Thyroid Tests – as thyroid imbalance can affect your cycle.
  • Hormone Levels – to assess estrogen, progesterone, and other reproductive hormones.
Endometrial Biopsy: A small sample of the uterine lining is taken and tested, especially if you're over 35 or have irregular bleeding.
Hysteroscopy: It involves inserting a small camera into the uterus to check for growths or abnormalities.


Treatment Options for Heavy Periods and Natural Remedies & Prevention Tips

Treatment depends on the cause, your age, your fertility goals, and how severe your symptoms are. Thankfully, there are many safe and effective options—both medical and surgical.
Medical Treatments
  • Hormonal Birth Control Pills/Patch/IUD: Regulates your cycle and reduces the amount and duration of bleeding.
  • Tranexamic Acid Tablets: Non-hormonal medicine that helps reduce bleeding by helping your blood clot normally.
  • NSAIDS (like Ibuprofen or Mefenamic Acid): Reduce bleeding and ease pain during periods.
  • Hormone Therapy (Progesterone Pills or Injections): Balances your hormones to control the uterine lining and reduce bleeding.

Surgical Treatments (for more serious or persistent cases)
  • Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
    A short procedure to gently scrape and remove the thick uterine lining to control bleeding.
  • Endometrial Ablation
    Destroys the lining of the uterus permanently, reducing or stopping periods. Not recommended if you wish to have children in the future.
  • Myomectomy
    Surgical removal of fibroids while preserving the uterus—ideal for women who still want to conceive.
  • Hysterectomy
    Surgical removal of the uterus—used as a last resort when other treatments fail or if you're finished with childbearing.
Natural Remedies & Prevention Tips
While medical treatment is often necessary for heavy periods, some natural remedies and lifestyle habits can make a big difference in how you feel. 
Here are simple things you can do at home to support your body:
  • Eat an Iron-Rich Diet: Heavy bleeding can lead to anaemia, which causes tiredness, weakness, and dizziness. Include foods like spinach, pomegranate, jaggery, dates, eggs, lentils, and red meat to boost your iron levels.
  • Use a Warm Compress: A warm heating pad or hot water bag on your lower abdomen can ease menstrual cramps and help relax uterine muscles.
  • Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps maintain energy levels and supports circulation, especially when you're losing blood.
  • Manage Stress: High stress levels can disrupt your hormones. Practices like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and even short walks can help calm your mind and regulate your cycle.
  • Avoid Caffeine & Processed Foods: Too much caffeine, sugar, and salty snacks can increase bloating and discomfort. Stick to fresh, balanced meals for better hormonal health.
  • Get Regular Exercise: Even light physical activity like walking, stretching, or dancing helps improve blood circulation and keeps your hormones in check. Plus, it releases endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers!


Can You Prevent Heavy Periods?

While not all cases of heavy bleeding are preventable, some smart habits can reduce your risk or help manage symptoms better:
  • Go for Regular Gynecological Check-ups: Don’t wait until it gets worse. Yearly visits to your gynaecologist can help detect problems early and keep your reproductive health on track.
  • Manage Existing Health Conditions: Conditions like thyroid disorders, PCOS, or diabetes can impact your menstrual cycle. Controlling them with medication and lifestyle changes can help prevent heavy periods.
  • Support Hormonal Balance with Diet & Routine: A healthy diet, regular sleep, exercise, and stress management can go a long way in maintaining balanced hormones.
  • Be Cautious with Medications: Some medicines, like blood thinners or certain contraceptives, can increase bleeding. Always take them under medical supervision.
 Heavy periods are not something you have to silently suffer through. They are often your body’s way of saying, I need help. Whether it’s affecting your daily routine, your energy levels, or your emotional well-being, you deserve answers, relief, and the right treatment.
Listen to your body. Speak to a specialist.
Ignoring the signs can make things worse over time. But the good news is, with early diagnosis, most causes of heavy bleeding can be treated easily and effectively.
At Isha Women’s Hospital, you’re in the expert hands of Dr. Chinmay Pataki—Thane’s best fertility and gynaecology expert. The expertise team of Isha Women's Hospital offers advanced, compassionate care tailored to your needs and future goals, whether it's symptom relief or preserving your fertility.
You deserve to feel healthy, confident, and in control every month.
Let’s put an end to period struggles, together.
Book your consultation today with Isha Women’s Hospital – Thane’s most trusted centre for women’s health and fertility care.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much blood loss is considered a heavy period?
Ans - More than 80 ml per cycle or soaking a pad/tampon every 1–2 hours.
2. Can stress cause heavy periods?
Ans - Yes, stress affects hormonal balance, which may increase bleeding.
3. Will birth control help with heavy periods?
Ans - Yes, certain hormonal contraceptives can regulate and reduce bleeding.
4. Are heavy periods a sign of cancer?
Ans - Rarely, but persistent heavy bleeding should be evaluated by a doctor.
5. Is it normal to pass blood clots during periods?
Ans - Small clots are normal, but large, frequent clots are a concern.