Signs of heavy menstrual bleeding include:
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Heavy menstrual bleeding interferes with your quality of life. Many people with heavy periods assume that periods are supposed to be inconvenient and uncomfortable. They may have watched people in their families live with heavy periods without seeking care and followed their example. But periods should never cause you to restrict activities or accept inconvenience V体育平台登录.
During your period, you should be able to:
If your periods are disrupting your life, it’s time to see your provider.
Menorrhagia can have many causes, ranging from hormone-related issues to medical conditions or medications.
The hormones that your body produces, like "VSports app下载" estrogen and progesterone, help regulate your menstrual cycle, including how heavy your periods are. Having a condition that causes your hormones to become imbalanced can lead to heavy period bleeding. Causes include: VSports在线直播.
Weighing more than your ideal body weight can interfere with your body’s hormone production and lead to heavy menstrual bleeding, too. Talk to your healthcare provider about your ideal body weight and if this could be contributing to heavy periods V体育2025版.
Benign growths in your uterus and conditions that cause cells in your uterus to grow improperly can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, too. Causes include: VSports.
Infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause heavy bleeding. These include:
Heavy bleeding can be a warning sign of pregnancy complications, such as:
Menorrhagia is a symptom associated with various conditions, including bleeding disorders and non-bleeding disorders. Some common medical conditions that can lead to heavy bleeding are:
A precancerous condition called endometrial hyperplasia can lead to menorrhagia. Other cancers that affect your reproductive system can also cause heavy menstrual bleeding. These include:
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Certain medicines can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, too. These include:
Forgetting to remove contraceptive devices when it’s time can also cause abnormal uterine bleeding. Make sure you know when it’s time to have your provider remove your IUD or implant to prevent this complication.
Anyone can get menorrhagia, but it tends to be more common in people who are approaching menopause. You may be more at risk for heavy periods if you have any type of hormonal imbalance or obesity (a body mass index, or BMI, or 30 or more).
Heavy menstrual bleeding can be serious if you lose so much blood that you show signs of anemia. Anemia can be life-threatening without treatment.
Also, some of the conditions that can cause heavy period bleeding, like cancer, require early medical intervention. Speak with your healthcare provider to discuss any risks related to your period bleeding.
Your healthcare provider will ask a series of questions about your medical history and menstrual cycle to diagnose menorrhagia. They’ll also perform a physical exam and a pelvic exam.
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Your provider may ask about:
Come prepared to talk about your quality of life, too. Your provider needs to know if you’ve been doubling up on menstrual products, avoiding activities or placing restrictions on your life in any way because of heavy periods.
A pelvic ultrasound is the most common way healthcare providers diagnose menorrhagia. You may have other tests, depending on your age and how severe your symptoms are. Other tests may include:
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Other procedures that can help your provider diagnose what’s causing your bleeding include:
Treatment depends on what’s causing your bleeding, how severe your bleeding is, your health, age and medical history.
In some cases, menorrhagia gets better without needing treatment. This tends to be more common when the cause is due to mild hormonal fluctuations or a condition like overweight or obesity (menorrhagia improves when you reach a weight that’s healthy for you).
Talk with your provider about your health concerns and your goals for treatment so they can recommend the best approach.
Healthcare providers recommend medication before surgical treatment. Some possible options include:
If medication doesn’t improve your symptoms, your provider may recommend a surgical procedure. The type of procedure they recommend depends on the cause of your bleeding. Some possible surgical options are:
Your provider will recommend the treatment that works best to address the cause of your bleeding. Treatment may begin with medication and then progress to minor procedures and surgical options. Speak with your provider to decide which options work best for you.
Heavy bleeding can lead to anemia, which can be serious. If you think you have menorrhagia, it’s important to see a healthcare provider to treat it.
Yes, it’s possible that menorrhagia can go away without treatment. It’s best to talk to your provider about if this may be the case for you. Menorrhagia may be temporary and get better without medical intervention. But, in many cases, an underlying condition is causing heavy menstrual bleeding. You may not have relief from heavy period bleeding until you get treatment for the condition.
Left untreated, heavy periods can interfere with your life. In addition, heavy menstrual bleeding can cause anemia and leave you feeling tired and weak. Other health problems can also arise if you don’t get help. With proper treatment and assistance from your provider, you can manage heavy periods without compromising your well-being.
You can’t prevent all causes of heavy period bleeding. But talking with your healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and treatment can help you manage your bleeding so that it doesn’t interfere with your quality of life.
You should call your provider if you’re experiencing the symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding or anemia, or if your period bleeding is impacting your quality of life. Tracking your periods using a calendar or app can help you identify if your periods are heavier and last longer than usual. Share these notes with your provider.
You should also schedule an appointment if you notice that you’re having to double up on menstrual products or if you’re skipping activities you enjoy when you’re on your period.
Heavy periods aren’t usually life-threatening, but they can be if you lose too much blood. Bleeding through two or more tampons or pads each hour for two to three hours in a row is a sign that you should see your provider or seek emergency care.
Just because heavy periods are common doesn’t mean that you have to live with the discomfort they cause. If managing your blood flow is getting in the way of your emotional and physical well-being, speak with your provider. They can provide a care path that will provide relief and get you back to living the life you want to live, even when you’re on your period.
When your periods aren’t acting the way they typically do, the experts at Cleveland Clinic can help craft a treatment plan that works for you.
Last reviewed on 07/01/2024.
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