Heavy Periods

You may have heavy periods if: 

• your periods last longer than 7 days

• you need to change your pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, or empty your menstrual cup more frequently than the manufacturer recommends

• you need to wear multiple pads or pads and tampons together to prevent leaking

• you need to change your pads or tampons in the middle of the night

• you pass blood clots larger than 2.5 cm (the size of a 10 pence coin) several times a day

• your periods affect your daily life and interfere with your ability to carry out normal activities such as working and exercising 

• you feel weak, tired, or short of breath

Heavy bleeding during your period is a relatively common problem, and there are a number of potential causes, most of which are not harmful to your health and can be easily treated.

Some common causes of heavy periods include: 

• fibroids

• endometriosis/adenomyosis

• hormonal changes

• endometrial polyps

• infection

• breakthrough bleeding with hormonal contraception

• pre-cancerous or cancerous changes (this is less common)

At your initial consultation, you’ll be seen by a consultant gynaecologist, a doctor with specialist training in diagnosing and treating conditions of the female reproductive system. 

Your gynaecologist will ask you about your symptoms, general health, family and medical history and any medications you take regularly. They may also perform a physical examination. 

Your gynaecologist may request some tests to help identify the cause of your heavy periods. 

These may include: 

• swabs for infection

• cervical smear 

• pelvic ultrasound scan

• blood tests to check your hormone levels 

• hysteroscopy (a small telescope is used to check inside the womb)

Your gynaecologist will make a diagnosis using a combination of your symptoms, physical examination and test results. They will explain your diagnosis to you and create a personalised treatment plan that best suits your needs.

It isn’t always possible to prevent heavy periods, but you can reduce your risk by implementing healthy lifestyle changes such as keeping your weight within healthy limits, staying hydrated and eating a healthy, nutritious diet.

If you have heavy periods, always seek a professional opinion from a qualified gynaecologist for an accurate diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment. 

Heavy periods aren’t usually serious, but can cause complications such as iron-deficiency anaemia if you regularly lose a lot of blood. Anaemia is a serious condition that can lead to dangerous complications if not treated. 

Rarely, heavy periods can be a sign of a serious condition such as cancer that requires urgent treatment.

Treatment for heavy periods depends on the underlying cause and the impact your symptoms are having on your quality of life. In some cases, no treatment is needed, and your gynaecologist may adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach to see if your periods return to normal over time. 

If treatment is necessary, it may include: 

Medication 

There are several medications available to treat heavy periods, including: 

• hormonal contraceptives – such as the pill or a hormone-releasing coil (IUD) 

• progesterone, taken cyclically

• tranexamic acid – a non-hormonal treatment which can reduce menstrual blood loss by 50%, which is only taken on the days of heavy bleeding

Surgery 

The type of surgery your gynaecologist may recommend depends on the cause of your heavy periods and may include: 

• hysteroscopic surgery – a day case procedure to remove uterine polyps or fibroids using a small telescope 

• TCRE (sometimes called endometrial resection or ablation) – a surgical procedure to remove or destroy the entire lining of the womb and permanently stop bleeding. They are only appropriate for women who don’t wish to get pregnant in the future

• laparoscopic myomectomy – surgical removal of fibroids while preserving fertility

• laparoscopic hysterectomy – surgical removal of the womb, which is a definitive treatment for abnormal bleeding

At Welbeck, our gynaecologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you’ve obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.