Common Causes Of Heavy Periods And Their Treatment Options

What if the heavy periods were your body’s way of indicating that something is wrong with your hormones? But your hormones aren’t the only reason that could cause heavy periods.

Doesn’t not knowing the cause feel overwhelming?

This blog aims to explain not just the cause but the treatment options as well. You’ll also benefit from the recommended lifestyle changes for managing heavy periods. Tips on when you need to involve an expert are also provided towards the end. Equip yourself with this knowledge and take active charge of your menstrual health.

A] Common Causes Of Heavy Periods

Some common causes of heavy periods include:

1. Hormonal imbalance

A balance of both oestrogen and progesterone is required to maintain a healthy menstrual cycle. Any imbalance in either oestrogen or progesterone can cause abnormal bleeding periods. In case of an imbalance in these hormones, your uterine lining becomes thick, which creates a good environment for the egg to implant. Conditions such as PCOS, thyroid, perimenopause, menopause, and even medications could cause heavy periods. The correct cause for hormonal imbalance needs to be identified for the treatment to become successful. 

2. Underlying Medical Conditions

Sometimes an underlying medical condition could be the cause of heavy periods. Some of the medical conditions you need to pay attention to include:

• Blood clotting disorders

Blood clotting disorders, such as von Willebrand disease, generally lead to your menstrual cycle getting longer. To understand symptoms of von Willebrand disease, refer to this blog by the Mayo Clinic. Passing large blood clots, abnormal bleeding patterns, and periods that last longer than usual are some signs associated with blood-clotting disorders. If left untreated, it can lead to anaemia. 

• Endometriosis

In endometriosis, the inner lining of the uterus starts to grow outside the uterus, which can lead to complications. These include pelvic pain, menstrual cramps, fatigue, spotting, and more. Pelvic pain is a commonly expressed concern in endometriosis. At Women’s Healthcare, we provide pelvic pain treatment caused by various conditions such as fibroids, ovarian cysts, and more. If you’re looking for private gynaecology services in London, our specialists are here to help.

• Fibroids and polyps

Fibroids are yet another cause of heavy periods that can result in menstrual irregularities. The fibroid size is responsible for heavy bleeding, abdominal discomfort, and lower back pain. Unlike fibroids, polyps are smaller in size, but they also result in abnormal bleeding patterns.

3. Infections or Inflammation

In certain cases, even infections or inflammation can cause heavy periods or abnormal bleeding patterns. These can be due to:

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

In PID, the bacteria travel from the vagina into your reproductive organs.  Symptoms such as fever, pain, abnormal bleeding patterns, and unusual discharge are some common signs of PID. Chronic PID affects your uterine lining, which can lead to heavy bleeding.

• Cervicitis or vaginal infections

In cervicitis, your cervix becomes swollen or irritated due to inflammation. Causes of cervicitis could be due to bacterial, viral or yeast infections. When the natural bacteria of your vagina become imbalanced, it can lead to various infections. Examples of vaginal infections include yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and more. 

B] Treatment Options To Manage Heavy Periods

A gynaecologist has experience treating several concerns that can involve hormonal imbalances. 

These individualised treatment options can be:

1. Non-surgical treatments

Non-surgical treatments are always given priority over surgical treatment options. These can involve:

Hormonal therapy in the form of birth control pills, hormonal patches, IUDs and other options might be recommended by your gynaecologist. If high prostaglandin levels are detected, use of NSAIDs might be the most suitable option. For heavy menstrual bleeding, tranexamic acid will work to reduce your menstrual flow. Heavy periods can deplete your iron levels, which is why the use of supplements might be a good choice. Your options here include tablets, syrups, or IV iron. 

2. Minimally invasive procedures

Minimally invasive procedures are usually recommended for structural concerns such as fibroids, polyps, and others involving the uterine lining. Some of these procedures are:

• Hysterectomy

Here, a camera is passed through the vagina into the uterus. Removal of polyps and shaving of fibroids are some common procedures performed by your gynaecologist. 

• Endometrial ablation

This procedure involves the use of anaesthesia. The goal of the gynaecologist here is to remove or thin the uterine lining. Usually, after this, problems related to your menstrual cycle, such as heavy bleeding, might be resolved. 

• Hormonal IUD

A hormonal IUD is a small T-shaped device that is placed inside the uterus. It’s very likely that your period flow will become lighter in the first month itself. The reason behind this is levonorgestrel, a progesterone hormone released by the IUD.

3. Surgical treatments

Surgical treatments are often considered when the symptoms of your menstrual cycle problems are persistent. These include:

• Myomectomy

Myomectomy helps to remove fibroids while still preserving your uterus. Women who prefer to avoid a hysterectomy usually opt for a myomectomy. The type of myomectomy will depend on the size of the fibroids detected. 

• Polypectomy

Polypectomy helps to remove polyps that cause heavy periods and abnormal bleeding patterns in your cycle. No external cuts or stitches are involved in this procedure.

• Hysterectomy

This surgical procedure is chosen when improvement with other options, such as medications, hormonal treatments, and others, fails to show results. With time, it provides relief from menstrual cycle problems such as heavy bleeding. 

For personalised advice on how to treat menorrhagia or heavy periods, we recommend you book an appointment with a private gynaecologist at Women’s Healthcare. 

C] Few Lifestyle Changes to Manage Heavy Periods

Even when the cause of heavy periods could be due to medical reasons, certain lifestyle changes can reduce the abnormal bleeding patterns in your cycle. These include:

• Having a balanced diet involving iron-rich foods, healthy fats, and vitamin C sources for iron absorption.
• Keeping yourself hydrated.
• Engaging in light exercises such as walking or yoga.
• Use of traditional remedies, such as placing a heating pad on your stomach.
• Use of a period tracker app to understand changes in your menstrual cycle.
• Limit smoking and alcohol, as they are known to disrupt your hormone levels. 

D] When To See A Doctor For Menstrual Cycle Problems

Consult a doctor if you experience any of the following menstrual cycle problems:

• Heavy periods that last for seven days or more indicate an abnormal bleeding pattern. 
• Irregular menstrual cycles that are too short or too long can indicate hormonal imbalances. 
• Pain that is enough to disrupt daily activities. 
• Pelvic pain that might be caused by structural concerns or endometriosis.
• Passing large blood clots as mentioned earlier. 
• Signs of anaemia, such as fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath, among others. 

Conclusion

Going through menorrhagia, or heavy periods, can feel emotionally exhausting. From having to constantly change your pad every few hours to not having energy to perform tasks, menorrhagia can feel draining. 

Don’t let menorrhagia take hold of your daily life, and take steps to treat heavy periods with women’s healthcare. 

Contact us to know about the treatment options that will help you live life without any worries or discomfort. Along with treating menorrhagia, we also provide care for other gynaecological conditions, which you can explore here.