Heavy Periods
About Heavy Periods
Heavy periods are a common concern among women before menopause. The medical term for heavy menstrual bleeding is “menorrhagia”.
If you have menstrual bleeding so heavy that you dread your period, especially when your period causes blood loss and cramping that you have to restrict your daily activities, talk to your GP or gynaecologist. There are many effective treatments for menorrhagia.
What are the causes of heavy periods?
The common causes of heavy menstrual bleeding are:
Hormonal imbalance
Uterine fibroids
Adenomyosis
Endometrial polyps
Other less common causes include: intra-uterine devices (ie. Copper IUD), blood disorders, pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, miscarriage, medications (ie blood thinners).
More information about Heavy Periods
What investigations are required for heavy periods?
Your GP or gynaecologist will likely check your haemoglobin and do iron studies to ensure you are not anaemic. A pelvic ultrasound will also be requested to assess your uterus and other pelvic organs.
In particular, seek medical help if you experience anaemia as a result of heavy periods.
This would mean that your bleeding is rather heavy. You doctor may suggest iron supplement to correct anaemia and improve your overall wellbeing.
What treatments are available for heavy periods?
The treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding depends on the cause. It includes:
Non-hormonal treatments such as tranexamic acid
Hormonal treatments such as oral contraceptives and progesterone hormone
A progesterone releasing IUD ie mirena
Endometrial ablation (novasure, used for blood loss not for dysmenorrhoea)
Hysterectomy (laparoscopic, robotic or open procedure)
Dr Brown will go through the pros and cons of all management options and together you can decide the best option for you.