Heavy periods can interfere with a woman’s daily life
Heavy periods can negatively affect a woman’s life. Although common, it is often not discussed or addressed. Our San Antonio OBGYNs assure women that diagnosis and treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding are available and can improve their quality of life.
Heavy periods are not only intrusive to a woman’s life, but they can also indicate a health concern and lead to medical problems, such as anemia.
What constitutes heavy bleeding?
A woman’s menstrual bleeding is defined as heavy by one or more of these characteristics.
- Lasts more than seven days
- Requires one or more tampons or pads every hour for several consecutive hours
- Requires a woman to change tampons or pads during the night
- Requires a woman to wear multiple tampons or pads at one time
- Contains clots as big as a quarter or larger
- Causes constant pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation
- Causes a lack of energy or shortness of breath
- Interferes with daily life due to physical symptoms
Causes of heavy menstrual bleeding
There are many causes of heavy bleeding, including fibroids or polyps growing in the uterine wall. Adenomyosis, a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus grows into the uterine wall, causes heavy bleeding. Endometriosis, irregular ovulation, polycystic ovary syndrome, and pelvic inflammatory disease are other potential causes of heavy menstrual bleeding.
Finding the cause of heavy periods
A physical exam, including pelvic exam and Pap test, is the first step in identifying the cause of heavy bleeding. An OBGYN might also order blood tests to check for infection, anemia, thyroid conditions or clotting issues. An ultrasound provides images of the pelvic organs. Other imaging tests, such as hysteroscopy and MRI, may also be necessary.
Achieving the desired outcome with treatment
Treatment decisions will be determined based on the cause of the bleeding, as well as the woman’s personal preferences. Is she only trying to lessen pain or reduce bleeding? Does she want to be able to become pregnant, or is birth control a priority? Her OBGYN will discuss all of these factors as they determine a treatment plan for heavy periods.
In some cases, hormone therapy, through pills or an IUD, can be used to regulate and lighten menstruation. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists can reduce the size of fibroids and stop a woman’s menstrual cycle. Tranexamic acid medication is used for many types of bleeding and has proven effective for menstrual bleeding. In some cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, help decrease bleeding.
For those women for whom medication is not an option or is ineffective, medical procedures such as endometrial ablation and uterine artery embolization might be considered. Myomectomy and hysteroscopy may be used when fibroids cause bleeding. Hysterectomy is also a consideration in cases that are unresponsive to other treatments.
Heavy periods do not have to continue to affect a woman’s life negatively. Our San Antonio OBGYNS are available to discuss treatment options. Contact Legacy Women’s Health for an appointment.
