How much menstrual bleeding is considered too much. What are the signs of excessive blood loss during periods. When should you consult a doctor for heavy menstrual flow. What are the potential causes of menorrhagia. How is heavy menstrual bleeding diagnosed and treated.

Understanding Normal vs. Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

Menstrual bleeding is a natural part of a woman’s reproductive cycle, but sometimes the amount of blood loss can be concerning. Generally, a typical period results in about 2-3 tablespoons of blood loss. However, some women may experience heavier flows, which can be classified as menorrhagia – the medical term for excessive menstrual bleeding.

Is your period flow heavier than normal? Here are some signs that indicate you may be losing too much blood during your menstrual cycle:

• Needing to change your pad or tampon more frequently than every 2 hours
• Passing blood clots larger than a quarter
• Using two pads simultaneously to prevent leakage
• Having to change menstrual products during the night

While it can be challenging to measure blood loss precisely at home, using a menstrual cup can provide a more accurate estimate. This information can be valuable when discussing your concerns with a healthcare provider.

Symptoms Associated with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Heavy menstrual bleeding doesn’t always come with additional symptoms. However, in some cases, excessive blood loss can lead to anemia, which may manifest as:

• Shortness of breath
• Low energy levels
• General weakness

It’s important to note that the absence of these symptoms doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek medical advice if you’re experiencing unusually heavy periods. Excessive bleeding alone could indicate an underlying condition that requires attention.

When Does Heavy Bleeding Become an Emergency?

While heavy periods are usually not life-threatening, there are instances where excessive vaginal bleeding can signal a medical emergency. Conditions such as postpartum hemorrhage, uterine injuries, or bleeding disorders can cause dangerous levels of blood loss.

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms along with heavy bleeding? If so, seek immediate medical attention:

• Pale or clammy skin
• Rapid heart rate
• Nausea or dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Fainting spells
• Swelling around the vagina or perineum

These symptoms could indicate a severe loss of blood that requires urgent medical intervention.

Potential Causes of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Menorrhagia can have various underlying causes. Understanding these potential factors can help in seeking appropriate medical care and treatment. Some common causes of heavy menstrual bleeding include:

1. Hormonal imbalances
2. Irregular ovulation
3. Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
4. Obesity
5. Endometriosis
6. Adenomyosis
7. Uterine fibroids or polyps
8. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
9. Thyroid disorders
10. Certain medications, such as blood thinners
11. Bleeding disorders like von Willebrand disease

In some cases, heavy menstrual bleeding can be a sign of more serious conditions such as uterine, cervical, or reproductive tract cancers. This underscores the importance of consulting with a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing unusually heavy periods.

Diagnosing Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

How do doctors diagnose menorrhagia? The process typically begins with a detailed discussion of your symptoms and medical history. Your healthcare provider may ask about the frequency of pad or tampon changes, the size of blood clots, and any associated symptoms you’re experiencing.

To determine the underlying cause and assess potential complications, your doctor may recommend several tests, including:

• Complete blood count
• Iron status test
• Thyroid hormone test
• Liver function test
• Pregnancy test
• Sexually transmitted infection screening
• Coagulopathy tests

In some cases, imaging studies such as ultrasounds may be necessary to examine the uterus and ovaries for any abnormalities or growths. If polyps or cancerous growths are suspected, a biopsy of the uterine tissue may be performed.

The Link Between Heavy Periods and Bleeding Disorders

Did you know that as many as 20% of women with unusually heavy periods have an underlying bleeding disorder or coagulopathy? These conditions affect the blood’s ability to clot properly, leading to excessive bleeding during menstruation and in other situations.

What are some signs that might indicate a bleeding disorder? Look out for:

• Frequent nosebleeds
• Bleeding gums
• Easy bruising
• Significant bleeding from minor cuts

If you experience these symptoms along with heavy periods, it’s crucial to discuss them with your healthcare provider. Proper diagnosis and management of bleeding disorders can significantly improve quality of life and prevent potential complications.

Treatment Options for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Once the underlying cause of heavy menstrual bleeding is identified, your healthcare provider can recommend appropriate treatment options. These may include:

1. Hormonal treatments: Birth control pills, hormonal IUDs, or other hormonal medications can help regulate menstrual flow.
2. Non-hormonal medications: Tranexamic acid or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce blood loss during periods.
3. Iron supplements: If anemia is present, iron supplementation may be necessary to replenish iron stores.
4. Surgical interventions: In some cases, procedures such as endometrial ablation, myomectomy, or hysterectomy may be recommended.
5. Treatment of underlying conditions: Addressing issues like thyroid disorders or bleeding disorders can help manage heavy menstrual bleeding.

The choice of treatment will depend on the underlying cause, the severity of symptoms, and your personal preferences and health goals.

Lifestyle Modifications to Manage Heavy Periods

While medical treatments are often necessary for managing heavy menstrual bleeding, certain lifestyle changes can also help alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being. Consider incorporating these strategies:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity can contribute to hormonal imbalances that exacerbate heavy bleeding.
• Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help regulate hormones and reduce the severity of menstrual symptoms.
• Manage stress: High stress levels can affect hormonal balance and potentially worsen menstrual bleeding.
• Stay hydrated: Proper hydration is essential for overall health and can help prevent fatigue associated with heavy periods.
• Consider dietary changes: Some women find that reducing caffeine and alcohol intake can help manage menstrual symptoms.

Remember, these lifestyle modifications should complement, not replace, medical treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine.

The Impact of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding on Quality of Life

Heavy menstrual bleeding can have a significant impact on a woman’s daily life and overall well-being. Some of the ways menorrhagia can affect quality of life include:

• Disruption of daily activities and work
• Increased anxiety and stress related to managing heavy flow
• Sleep disturbances due to nighttime bleeding
• Social and relationship challenges
• Financial burden of purchasing extra menstrual products
• Physical discomfort and pain associated with heavy bleeding

How can you mitigate these impacts? Open communication with your healthcare provider is key. By discussing your symptoms and concerns, you can work together to develop a management plan that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of heavy menstrual bleeding.

Coping Strategies for Heavy Periods

While seeking medical treatment is crucial, there are also practical strategies you can employ to cope with heavy menstrual bleeding in your daily life:

1. Use high-absorbency menstrual products or period underwear for added protection
2. Keep a change of clothes handy in case of leaks
3. Plan important events around your menstrual cycle when possible
4. Use a period tracking app to anticipate and prepare for heavy flow days
5. Consider taking iron supplements (after consulting with your doctor) to prevent anemia
6. Practice relaxation techniques to manage stress and discomfort

Remember, every woman’s experience with menstrual bleeding is unique. What works for one person may not work for another, so it’s important to find strategies that suit your individual needs and lifestyle.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Heavy Periods

While variations in menstrual flow are normal, certain signs indicate that you should consult a healthcare provider about your heavy periods. Seek medical attention if:

• Your periods consistently soak through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours
• You regularly pass blood clots larger than a quarter
• Your period lasts longer than 7 days
• You experience severe pain or cramping with your heavy bleeding
• You feel dizzy, lightheaded, or extremely fatigued during your period
• Your heavy periods are interfering with your daily life

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about your menstrual bleeding, even if you’re not experiencing all of these symptoms. Early intervention can prevent complications and improve your quality of life.

Preparing for Your Doctor’s Appointment

To make the most of your doctor’s visit, consider keeping a menstrual diary for a few cycles before your appointment. Record information such as:

• The length of your periods
• How often you need to change your menstrual products
• The size and frequency of blood clots
• Any associated symptoms (pain, fatigue, mood changes)
• The impact of your periods on your daily activities

This detailed information can help your healthcare provider make an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Signs you are losing too much blood during your period

Most people lose around 2–3 tablespoons of blood during their period. People with heavy periods may lose twice as much. Sometimes, this contributes to anemia, which may cause tiredness or shortness of breath.

This figure comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Menorrhagia is the medical term for heavy menstrual bleeding. A person has heavy periods if they need to change their pad or tampon less than every 2 hours, or if they pass clots the size of a quarter or bigger.

Heavy periods can be a sign of an underlying health issue. Sometimes, a person may mistake an early miscarriage for a heavy period. Sudden, very heavy bleeding may be a medical emergency.

Read on to learn about signs you are losing too much blood during a period.

A typical period causes around 2–3 tablespoons (tbsps) of blood loss. However, this may vary from person to person. A person with heavy periods may have twice as much blood loss, while others may have less.

It can be difficult to measure the precise volume of blood loss at home. Using a menstrual cup can help to measure the blood loss, which may help a person give their doctor more precise information.

Another way to quantify blood loss is to examine how often a person changes their pad or tampon. A person is losing too much blood during their period if they:

• soak through a pad or tampon once an hour for several hours
• pass large clots the size of a quarter or bigger
• have to use two pads at a time to prevent leaks
• have to change pads or tampons during sleeping hours

People can have heavy periods without experiencing any additional symptoms. However, sometimes the blood loss can contribute to anemia. This may cause:

• shortness of breath
• low energy
• weakness

A person does not have to have these symptoms to get help from a doctor. Heavy bleeding alone may indicate that there is an underlying condition.

Heavy periods are not usually an emergency. However, people can mistake other conditions for a heavy period. These other conditions can require urgent treatment.

For example, postpartum hemorrhage can occur up to 12 weeks after giving birth. Injuries to the uterus and bleeding disorders can also cause dangerous bleeding that requires emergency treatment.

Additionally, an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage can mimic a heavy period, and may be mistaken for one if a person does not know they were pregnant. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the pregnancy begins outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.

If a person starts losing a lot of blood from the vagina, or has the following symptoms, call 911:

• pale or clammy skin
• rapid heart rate
• nausea
• dizziness
• blurry vision
• fainting
• swelling around the vagina, or in the space between the vagina and anus (perineum)

If a person often has periods that soak through tampons and pads within a few hours or less, or that consist of large clots, they should also speak with a doctor.

Some potential causes of heavy periods include:

• irregular ovulation, which is common in puberty, perimenopause, and in people with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome
• intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• hormonal imbalances
• obesity, as this can elevate the amount of estrogen in the body
• endometriosis
• adenomyosis
• uterine growths, such as fibroids or polyps
• infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• kidney, liver, or thyroid disease
• cancer of the uterus, cervix, or reproductive tract
• certain medications, such as blood thinners
• bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand disease

As many as 20% of people with unusually heavy periods have a bleeding disorder, or coagulopathy.

Frequent nose bleeds, bleeding gums, bruising, or significant bleeding from minor cuts may indicate a person has coagulopathy.

Doctors may be able to diagnose heavy periods by asking about a person’s symptoms. If they regularly experience heavier blood loss than is typical, or that the blood loss causes symptoms of anemia, they may give a diagnosis of menorrhagia.

The doctor should also perform tests to check for the potential causes, or complications of, having heavy periods. This may include a:

• complete blood count
• iron status test
• thyroid hormone test
• liver function test
• pregnancy test
• sexually transmitted infection tests
• coagulopathy tests

A doctor may also recommend scanning the uterus and ovaries to assess the cause. This may show signs of growths or lesions.

If they the suspect the growths result from polyps or cancer, they may perform a biopsy to test the uterine tissue.

If a person experiences tiredness, weakness, or shortness of breath while on their period, it can be a sign they are losing too much blood.

According to the CDC, most people lose around 2–3 tbsps of blood during a period. Heavy periods may cause twice as much blood loss.

If blood often soaks through tampons or pads in less than 2 hours, or a person often passes large clots, they should speak with a doctor. Heavy periods is not something a person has to tolerate, and it may signal an underlying medical condition that needs treatment.

Signs you are losing too much blood during your period

Most people lose around 2–3 tablespoons of blood during their period. People with heavy periods may lose twice as much. Sometimes, this contributes to anemia, which may cause tiredness or shortness of breath.

This figure comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Menorrhagia is the medical term for heavy menstrual bleeding. A person has heavy periods if they need to change their pad or tampon less than every 2 hours, or if they pass clots the size of a quarter or bigger.

Heavy periods can be a sign of an underlying health issue. Sometimes, a person may mistake an early miscarriage for a heavy period. Sudden, very heavy bleeding may be a medical emergency.

Read on to learn about signs you are losing too much blood during a period.

A typical period causes around 2–3 tablespoons (tbsps) of blood loss. However, this may vary from person to person. A person with heavy periods may have twice as much blood loss, while others may have less.

It can be difficult to measure the precise volume of blood loss at home. Using a menstrual cup can help to measure the blood loss, which may help a person give their doctor more precise information.

Another way to quantify blood loss is to examine how often a person changes their pad or tampon. A person is losing too much blood during their period if they:

• soak through a pad or tampon once an hour for several hours
• pass large clots the size of a quarter or bigger
• have to use two pads at a time to prevent leaks
• have to change pads or tampons during sleeping hours

People can have heavy periods without experiencing any additional symptoms. However, sometimes the blood loss can contribute to anemia. This may cause:

• shortness of breath
• low energy
• weakness

A person does not have to have these symptoms to get help from a doctor. Heavy bleeding alone may indicate that there is an underlying condition.

Heavy periods are not usually an emergency. However, people can mistake other conditions for a heavy period. These other conditions can require urgent treatment.

For example, postpartum hemorrhage can occur up to 12 weeks after giving birth. Injuries to the uterus and bleeding disorders can also cause dangerous bleeding that requires emergency treatment.

Additionally, an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage can mimic a heavy period, and may be mistaken for one if a person does not know they were pregnant. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the pregnancy begins outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.

If a person starts losing a lot of blood from the vagina, or has the following symptoms, call 911:

• pale or clammy skin
• rapid heart rate
• nausea
• dizziness
• blurry vision
• fainting
• swelling around the vagina, or in the space between the vagina and anus (perineum)

If a person often has periods that soak through tampons and pads within a few hours or less, or that consist of large clots, they should also speak with a doctor.

Some potential causes of heavy periods include:

• irregular ovulation, which is common in puberty, perimenopause, and in people with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome
• intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• hormonal imbalances
• obesity, as this can elevate the amount of estrogen in the body
• endometriosis
• adenomyosis
• uterine growths, such as fibroids or polyps
• infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• kidney, liver, or thyroid disease
• cancer of the uterus, cervix, or reproductive tract
• certain medications, such as blood thinners
• bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand disease

As many as 20% of people with unusually heavy periods have a bleeding disorder, or coagulopathy.

Frequent nose bleeds, bleeding gums, bruising, or significant bleeding from minor cuts may indicate a person has coagulopathy.

Doctors may be able to diagnose heavy periods by asking about a person’s symptoms. If they regularly experience heavier blood loss than is typical, or that the blood loss causes symptoms of anemia, they may give a diagnosis of menorrhagia.

The doctor should also perform tests to check for the potential causes, or complications of, having heavy periods. This may include a:

• complete blood count
• iron status test
• thyroid hormone test
• liver function test
• pregnancy test
• sexually transmitted infection tests
• coagulopathy tests

A doctor may also recommend scanning the uterus and ovaries to assess the cause. This may show signs of growths or lesions.

If they the suspect the growths result from polyps or cancer, they may perform a biopsy to test the uterine tissue.

If a person experiences tiredness, weakness, or shortness of breath while on their period, it can be a sign they are losing too much blood.

According to the CDC, most people lose around 2–3 tbsps of blood during a period. Heavy periods may cause twice as much blood loss.

If blood often soaks through tampons or pads in less than 2 hours, or a person often passes large clots, they should speak with a doctor. Heavy periods is not something a person has to tolerate, and it may signal an underlying medical condition that needs treatment.

Abundant menstruation. Possible reasons | Kotex®

Expert Comment
Gynecologist Anastasia Degteva

“Heavy periods can not only affect your well-being and plans for the day, but also exacerbate existing health problems, such as iron deficiency anemia.
It is important to exclude the most common causes of heavy menstruation, for example, the presence of polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, thyroid dysfunction, increased prolactin, etc. The next step is to ask your gynecologist for a specific therapy to reduce bleeding, which usually includes hemostatic agents, NSAIDs, and hormonal medications. Do not ignore uncharacteristic heavy discharge and consult a doctor immediately!

Menstruation (menstruation) is uterine bleeding, usually lasting from 2 to 7 days and occurring on average once every 25-35 days. Usually, blood loss during menstruation is from 30 to 50 ml, but the norm can be as high as 80 ml. To make it clearer, each fully soaked sanitary napkin or tampon absorbs on average about 5 ml of blood, that is, on average, women spend 6-10 pads or tampons per menstruation.

Abundant periods in the medical sense of the word are considered to be such periods in which the bleeding is so intense that the pad or tampon sometimes has to be changed every hour, that is, use 6-7 pieces a day and which last longer than 7 days. This condition is called menorrhagia and can cause anemia as well as clots larger than 2 cm in diameter. Often, such heavy periods are accompanied by severe cramps that interfere with leading a full-fledged lifestyle.

Signs of menorrhagia:

• Menses last longer than 7 days

• Loss of more than 80 ml of blood per cycle

• Using more than 16 tampons or pads per cycle

• Leakage or complete soaking of a pad or tampon within 30 minutes

• Large blood clots (two ruble coin or larger)

• The need to replace the gasket at night

• Have to use two pads at once or a pad and tampon to avoid leakage

In addition, menorrhagia may be accompanied by symptoms that may also indicate anemia (a condition in which the hemoglobin and red blood cells are low in the blood):

What are the reasons for heavy periods?

If periods are profuse, prolonged and painful every time

This may be due to the presence of pathologies and changes in the body that you do not know about.

Hormonal imbalance

The female body secretes the hormones progesterone and estrogen, which regulate the menstrual cycle. Excess estrogen can cause the lining of the uterus to thicken, which in turn causes more bleeding during menstruation.

Ovarian dysfunction

The condition when the ovaries do not release an egg (ovulation does not occur) during the menstrual cycle is called anovulation. This is because the body does not produce progesterone as it does during a normal cycle.

Blood clotting disorder

Between 10 and 30% of women with heavy periods suffer from bleeding disorders that can lead to difficulty stopping bleeding.

Uterine polyps

Polyps are small benign growths in the uterus that can increase the amount of blood sheds during menstruation. They can also cause slight bleeding between cycles and after penetrative intercourse. Sometimes polyps can degenerate into malignant tumors, especially in older women, so they are recommended to be removed.

Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors in the muscular layer of the uterus. Most often they appear in women of late reproductive age (35-45 years). This is a very common condition that about 80% of women encounter during their lives. Menorrhagia is most often caused by large or numerous fibroids. Most often, fibroids are small and are not accompanied by any symptoms.

Premenopausal

This period is characterized by hormonal changes before menopause, and many women notice an increase in the volume of menstruation

Recovery after childbirth

It is not uncommon for menses to be very heavy after childbirth. In some women, they gradually become what they were before childbirth, but in many they remain plentiful.

Endometrial hyperplasia

Some women may develop a condition in which the endometrium of the uterus becomes too thick. This condition is called endometrial hyperplasia and can cause profuse, prolonged bleeding with blood clots. It most often occurs after menopause, but it sometimes happens to younger women as well.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a condition in which the endometrium of the uterus grows into the muscular and intermediate layers of the uterus. Most often occurs in women of childbearing age (25-35 years). In the places of germination of the endometrium, inflammatory processes occur. This condition is often difficult to diagnose and its causes are poorly understood.

Other diseases

Heavy periods may also be associated with endometriosis, thyroid disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and cancer.

If menstruation is heavy on the first day

Many women have more intense periods on the first day and then become weaker. However, if you have not experienced this before, you may need to consider whether you have changed oral contraceptives or started taking any other medications that could affect hormone levels.

Once heavy periods

Miscarriage

Often, miscarriages can occur before a woman knows she is pregnant, because at very early stages they can pass like heavy periods.

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg attaches itself outside the uterus. The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy can easily be confused with heavy menstruation. This condition can be deadly.

If you are pregnant and start to bleed profusely, call an ambulance!

Non-hormonal IUD

Heavy periods are a typical side effect of the use of non-hormonal uterine coils.

Medicines

Blood thinners and anti-inflammatory drugs may cause more heavy menstrual bleeding.

Please remember that heavy menstruation is not always due to some kind of pathology. Every woman’s menstrual cycle is unique and heavy bleeding may just be a feature of your body. However, a large loss of blood can cause excess iron loss and anemia. With mild anemia, you may experience fatigue and weakness. More severe forms can cause dizziness, headache, and heart palpitations. Often heavy periods are accompanied by severe uterine spasms that cause severe pain (dysmenorrhea). Severe pain cannot be tolerated and this condition may require medical treatment.

What can be done at home to relieve heavy periods?

• If you are in pain, take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. You can also apply a heating pad to your abdomen—the heat relieves cramps.

• Iron-rich foods and iron supplements can help relieve heavy periods and manage iron deficiency in mild anemia.

• Iron-rich foods such as beef, liver and other offal, turkey, spinach, fish, pumpkin seeds, dried apricots, white beans, cocoa beans, mushrooms. It also makes sense to increase the amount of vitamin C, because it promotes the absorption of iron. A lot of vitamin C is found in kiwi, bell peppers, strawberries, citrus fruits, broccoli, tomatoes, kohlrabi, pineapple.

• Drink enough water.

If you bleed heavily for several days, your blood volume may drop noticeably. Drink 4-6 extra glasses of water to maintain your blood volume.

Treatment of heavy periods | Causes of hypermenorrhea

Text created with the participation of gynecologist Natalya Dmitrievna Sadova

Treatment of heavy periods is available in branches:

Treatment of heavy periods in the Primorsky district

Address: St. Petersburg , Primorsky district, st. Repishcheva, 13

Treatment of heavy periods in the Petrogradsky district

Address: St. Petersburg , Petrogradsky district, st. Lenina, 5

Treatment of heavy periods in Vsevolozhsk

Address: Vsevolozhsk , Oktyabrsky pr-t, 96

Women quite habitually assess their health by the course of the menstrual cycle (MC). That is why any changes in the MC (duration, frequency, abundance of discharge) is an occasion to unscheduledly contact the gynecologists of the Dynasty clinic network and avoid the appearance or aggravation of gynecological problems. So a woman should know what heavy menstruation means, what could be the reasons for their appearance, and what needs to be done. The doctor will explain that the appearance of excessively heavy periods, their increase or increase in duration, most likely, will indicate the presence of problems in the body. These manifestations are attributed to the consequences of already existing pathologies and are not attributed to a separate type of disease, but, despite this, the treatment of hypermenstrual syndrome is of great importance and requires a proper approach and control. When evaluating menstruation, the medical norm is considered to be a daily blood loss of 5-80 ml or 250 ml for the entire menstruation. Of course, it is difficult for a woman to determine the exact amount of her blood loss, but this is not necessary. In this case, she can simply count the number of pads (or tampons) she uses in one day. The use of one to two or three pads will be an average norm, and in the case when there are more than four or five of them per day, hygiene products are changed more often than every 2 hours, and nightly awakenings to change hygiene products become systematic, then it is considered that menstruation is plentiful and a woman simply needs a thorough diagnosis of heavy periods.

Types of profuse menstruation

As a rule, it is difficult for a woman not to notice if her periods change in any way. And, of course, these changes should by no means be ignored. To understand what kind of violations occur, it is customary to distinguish between heavy periods according to how they pass in each specific case, that is, according to the types of their manifestation:

1. A decrease in the menstrual cycle is called proiomenorrhea. This type can be described as the onset of each new menstruation before the expected date.
2. An increase in the number of days of menstruation is called polymenorrhea.
3. A significant increase in the volume of menstruation is called hypermenorrhea (menorrhagia).

These species may appear alone or in combination. For example, with an increase in the duration of menstruation, a condition can be observed that is supplemented by an increase in the volume of blood loss.

Causes of heavy menses

Only a professional diagnosis of hypermenstrual syndrome by a qualified gynecologist will be able to find the exact cause of the syndrome. There are a lot of reasons for changes in menstrual flow, but gynecology especially highlights the following:

• hormonal disorders;
• the presence of myomas, polyps, fibromyomas in the uterus;
• adenomyosis;
• congenital malformations of the uterus;
• coagulopathy;
• use of intrauterine devices;
• taking anticoagulants;
• vitamin K deficiency;
• infections;
• various pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• incomplete maturity or extinction of sexual function.

As with other gynecological problems, there are several reasons for heavy periods and often a woman may not even be aware of them. That is why it is so important not to postpone for a long time, but to contact a clinic specialist as soon as possible if you have the appropriate symptoms. As for age, strong periods in a teenager most often will not be a pathology. This is due to the fact that during puberty, almost every teenager has a hormonal imbalance and during this period, heavy periods can really take place. The same applies to heavy periods after childbirth. As a rule, the appearance of heavy periods at this stage is likely to be the norm. But do not forget about possible pathological disorders, in any case, it is better to consult a doctor.

Symptoms

Many women face unpleasant problems in their women’s health, but very often the visit to the doctor is postponed due to fear, lack of time or confidence that everything will go away on its own. How to understand that it is still necessary to consult a gynecologist and treat heavy periods? The following symptoms can be distinguished, the appearance of which requires special attention:

1. Premature onset of menstruation.
2. Increased duration of menstruation (more than a week).
3. Unusually heavy periods with clots.
4. Feeling weak.
5. Fast fatigue and loss of strength.
6. Appearance of shortness of breath.
7. Tachycardia.
8. Bleeding from the nose.
9. Paleness.
10. Fainting.

The presence of any of the listed manifestations is no longer the norm, and if there are several of them, then a doctor should be contacted immediately.

Effects of heavy menstruation

As a rule, heavy menstruation seriously impairs a woman’s life. Poor health, pain, discomfort and insecurity – all this can deprive you of working capacity for more than one day. The consequence of strong periods can be a significant decrease in iron in the body. The development of anemia leads to a decrease in hemoglobin, which gradually leads to oxygen starvation, with subsequent problems in the functioning of the brain, liver, nervous and cardiovascular systems. Also, overall immunity decreases, because of this, a woman is more likely to suffer from severe forms of respiratory infections. Appearance worsens: hair fades, fragility of nails increases, skin color turns pale. A woman should be aware that in this case it is impossible to do without a comprehensive examination and treatment. Vitamin complexes, self-medication, folk advice will not help get rid of the root cause of heavy menstruation, and untimely treatment of hypermenstrual syndrome can worsen existing problems of the reproductive system.

Diagnosis of hypermenstrual syndrome

Do not look for reasons to postpone a visit to an obstetrician-gynecologist when severe bleeding occurs during menstruation. Without finding out the causes of this condition, it is impossible to carry out a full-fledged treatment of hypermenorrhea. Only the doctor of the clinic will be able to determine the cause and establish the presence of the syndrome. The initial consultation will help the gynecologist to collect the necessary history, while any information about the woman’s MC (cycle duration, abundance of discharge, presence of pain) will be important. After that, the doctor performs a general and gynecological examination. They help to exclude the presence of injuries, tumors, polyps, possible inflammation. Often, the cause of profuse bleeding may be the onset of pregnancy, including an ectopic pregnancy. After the procedures performed on the patient, the specialist conducts an ultrasound of the pelvic organs. In the case when this is not enough and if the doctor considers it necessary, he will prescribe additional examinations, the results of which will complement the overall picture of the diagnosis:

• hemostasiogram;
• CBC, ferritin level;
• swab for genital infections;
• blood for hormones and tumor markers;
• hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy.

Only a complete and versatile diagnosis of heavy periods will guarantee that the treatment will be carried out at a high level. That is why the issue of diagnosis must be treated with due attention.

Treatment of hypermenorrhea

Every woman should understand that with heavy menstrual bleeding it is unacceptable to self-treat or completely ignore the manifestations, since without qualified medical care there are very unpleasant consequences. Treatment of heavy periods will be prescribed depending on the pathology that caused them:

1. If the cause of the pathology is a hormonal failure, hormone-containing drugs are prescribed.
2. If anaemia is diagnosed, therapy will include iron supplementation supplemented by dietary modification.
3. When establishing coagulopathy disorders, hemostatic drugs (or hemostatics) are used, which must be consistent with the appointments of a hematologist and gastroenterologist.
4. When diagnosing fibroids, both hormonal and surgical therapy is used, it all depends on their size and location (uterine artery embolization, FUS ablation, conservative myomectomy). If the need is proven, then the removal of the entire uterus with myomatous formation can be carried out.
5. The presence of adenomyosis is corrected with hormonal therapy or surgery (if necessary).
6. Anomalies in the development of the uterus are corrected surgically.
7. When tumors and polyps are diagnosed, they are removed (hysteroscopy).
8. If the cause of strong periods is the use of intrauterine contraceptives, then they are removed.

Care for women’s health should not begin only during the period of illness, it should be a systematic and daily process. So, if you keep a menstrual calendar, then it is very easy to track any fluctuations in the MC, which will allow you to take therapeutic measures on time. Also, do not forget about the minimum rules: reduce the amount of strong tea / coffee, exclude alcohol, minimize physical activity during the MC, stop smoking, take walks in the fresh air as often as possible and avoid any stress. Any unscheduled bleeding is a dangerous manifestation, so you should not delay the decision to visit a doctor. Specialists of the network of clinics “Dynasty” at any time of the day will provide a full range of necessary procedures to maintain the health of their patients.

Visited by gynecologists:

Choose a branchClinic “Dynasty” in St. Petersburg, Krasnogvardeisky districtClinic “Dynasty” in St. Petersburg, Petrogradsky districtClinic “Dynasty” in St. Petersburg, Primorsky districtClinic “Dynasty” in VsevolozhskVisiting service

Pediatric specialists

Consults online

Abazyan Lilit Gagikovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist, first category

Atajanyan Anna Sarikovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist, ultrasound specialist

Gavrilyuk Nina Bokhadyrovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist

Ivanova Ekaterina Alekseevna

Obstetrician-gynecologist

Krisanenko Julia Georgievna

Obstetrician-gynecologist

Najaryan Marine Tigranovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist

Sadovaya Natalya Dmitrievna

Obstetrician-gynecologist, candidate of medical sciences

Samarina Olga Vladimirovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist

Tuzhik Anastasia Petrovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist

Cost of treatment for heavy periods:

Name of services	Price in rubles
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