Periods and Heavy Bleeding

Periods and Heavy Bleeding

“A heavy period
is when your period lasts longer than 8 days
or you lose more than 80 mL of blood during a period”.1

Umbrella

What may the Periods and Heavy Bleeding Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
  • Heavy Bleeding
  • Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  • Heavy Periods
  • Heavy Uterine Bleeding
  • Menorrhagia

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

What is heavy menstrual bleeding?

DotS the definition of heavy menstrual bleeding may vary. The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:

“A heavy period is when your period lasts longer than 8 days or you lose more than 80 mL of blood during a period. It’s a common problem for teenagers and people aged between 30 and 50.

The amount of blood loss can change at different life stages. For example, in teenage years or in the lead-up to menopause”.2

Heavy or Not

How heavy is heavy menstrual bleeding?

In Bleeding Disorders In Women: About Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Signs and Symptoms the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explain:

“How do you know if you have heavy menstrual bleeding? You might have heavy menstrual bleeding if you:

  • Need to change your tampon or pad after less than 2 hours
  • Have a menstrual flow that soaks through one or more pads or tampons every hour for several hours in a row
  • Need to double up on pads to control your menstrual flow
  • Need to change pads or tampons during the night
  • Have menstrual periods lasting more than 7 days
  • Have a menstrual flow with blood clots the size of a quarter or larger
  • Have a heavy menstrual flow that keeps you from doing the things you would do normally
  • Have constant pain in the lower part of the stomach during your periods
  • Are tired, lack energy, or are short of breath.

If you have this type of bleeding, you should see a healthcare provider”.3

In Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia): How Do You Know If You Have Heavy Periods? the JH note:

“You might have heavy periods if:

  • Your bleeding can’t be contained with a pad or tampon
  • You need to change your pad or tampon every two hours or less
  • You need to change your pad overnight
  • You notice blood clots that are bigger than a 50-cent coin
  • Your period lasts more than seven to eight days
  • Your periods stop you from doing things you normally do.

Some period products, such as menstrual cups or high-absorbency pads, hold more blood than others. It’s helpful to tell your doctor about the period products you use so they can better understand your bleeding”.4

Cause

What causes heavy menstrual bleeding?

In Heavy Periods: Causes of Heavy Periods the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:

“It can be normal to have heavy periods.

They can sometimes be heavy at different times, like when you first start your periods, after pregnancy or during menopause.

Sometimes, they can be caused by:

  • Conditions affecting your womb, ovaries or hormones, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, fibroids, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Some medicines and treatments, including some anticoagulant medicines and chemotherapy medicines
  • Stress and depression

Rarely, heavy periods can be a sign of womb cancer”.5

In Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding): Symptoms & Causes – Causes the Mayo Clinic explain:

“In some cases, the cause of heavy menstrual bleeding is unknown, but a number of conditions may cause menorrhagia. Common causes include:

  • Hormone imbalance…
  • Dysfunction of the ovaries…
  • Uterine fibroids…
  • Polyps…
  • Adenomyosis…
  • Intrauterine device (IUD)…
  • Pregnancy complications…
  • Cancer…
  • Inherited bleeding disorders…
  • Medications…
  • Other medical conditions…”.6

Common or Not

How common is heavy menstrual bleeding?

On page one in Heavy Periods the (British) Women’s Health Concern (WHC) note:

“One in three women describe their period as heavy and one in twenty women consult their healthcare professional about this problem every year”.7

Treatment

What are treatment options for heavy menstrual bleeding?

On page three in Heavy Periods: Treatment the WHC elaborate on:

“Treatment options depend on the type and duration of abnormal bleeding, the presence of organic disease, your age and desire for further pregnancies. Treatment can be medical or surgical.

Once a serious condition has been excluded, you may choose not to have any treatment, especially if symptoms are not significantly affecting your health or quality of life”.8

In Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Treatment and Recovery the CDC elaborate on different types of treatment and note:

“The type of treatment you get will depend on the cause of your bleeding and how serious it is. Your healthcare provider also will look at things such as your age, general health, and medical history; how well you respond to certain medicines, procedures, or therapies; and your wants and needs”.9

Look for A Pattern

Can it be helpful to record period dates and symptoms?

In Heavy Periods: When To Get Medical Advice the (Scottish) NHS Inform explain:

“It can be helpful to keep a note of your period dates and symptoms using a calendar, a diary or an app. You can then discuss this with your doctor who can decide if any tests or treatments might be needed.

If you’re seeing your doctor, there are some useful pieces of information to think about beforehand:

  • The first day of your last period (when it started)
  • How many days your period usually lasts
  • What was the shortest time between your periods (from the first day of one period to the first day of the next)
  • What was the longest time between your periods (from the first day of one period to the first day of the next)
  • How often you need to change your period products on a heavy day
  • If you are over 25, when you had your last smear test”.10

Health Care Provider

What if I have heavy menstrual bleeding?

If you have heavy menstrual bleeding, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. In Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (Menorrhagia): Living With – When Do You Call Your Healthcare Provider If You Suspect Heavy Period Bleeding? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic explain:

“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”.11 

The Mayo Clinic also note:

“Seek medical help before your next scheduled exam if you experience:

  • Vaginal bleeding so heavy it soaks at least one pad or tampon an hour for more than two hours in a row
  • Bleeding between periods or irregular vaginal bleeding
  • Vaginal bleeding after menopause”.12

Health Topics A-Z

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In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia). Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/periods/heavy-periods/ Accessed: 27 May 2026
  2. Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia). Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/periods/heavy-periods/ Accessed: 27 May 2026
  3. Bleeding Disorders In Women: About Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Signs and Symptoms. 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/female-blood-disorders/about/heavy-menstrual-bleeding.html Accessed: 27 May 2026
  4. Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia): How Do You Know If You Have Heavy Periods? Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/periods/heavy-periods/ Accessed: 27 May 2026
  5. Heavy Periods: Causes of Heavy Periods. Page Last Reviewed: 19 September 2024. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heavy-periods/#what-causes-heavy-periods Accessed: 27 May 2026
  6. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Symptoms & Causes – Causes. 30 August 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menorrhagia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352829 Accessed: 27 May 2026
  7. Heavy Periods. Reviewed: March 2026:1. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/heavy-periods/ Accessed: 27 May 2026
  8. Heavy Periods: Treatment. Reviewed: March 2026:3. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/heavy-periods/ Accessed: 27 May 2026
  9. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Treatment and Recovery. 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/female-blood-disorders/about/heavy-menstrual-bleeding.html Accessed: 27 May 2026
  10. Heavy Periods: When To Get Medical Advice. Last Updated: 11 April 2025. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/girls-and-young-women-puberty-to-around-25/periods-and-menstrual-health/heavy-periods/ Accessed: 27 May 2026
  11. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (Menorrhagia): Living With – When Do You Call Your Healthcare Provider If You Suspect Heavy Period Bleeding? Last Reviewed: 01 July 2024. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17734-menorrhagia-heavy-menstrual-bleeding Accessed: 27 May 2026
  12. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 30 August 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menorrhagia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352829 Accessed: 27 May 2026
Topic Last Updated: 27 May 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 27 May 2026

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