Periods and Heavy Bleeding

“Heavy menstrual bleeding affects about one in five women and is a common problem in
the 30-50-year-old age group”.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:

“Heavy menstrual bleeding (also known as menorrhagia) is excessive and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding. The amount varies from woman to woman and can change at different stages in your life; for example, in teenage years or approaching menopause. It is defined as blood loss greater than 80ml (equal to one-third of a cup) per cycle, or periods lasting more than seven to eight days”.2

Menorrhagia

What is menorrhagia?

DotS the definition of menorrhagia may vary. The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Menorrhagia is the medical term for menstrual periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding. Although heavy menstrual bleeding is a common concern, most women don’t experience blood loss severe enough to be defined as menorrhagia”.3

The (United States) Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) definition is:

“Menorrhagia is menstrual bleeding that lasts more than 7 days. It can also be bleeding that is very heavy”.4

Heavy or Not

How heavy is heavy menstrual bleeding?

In Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding the CDC explain:

“How do you know if you have heavy bleeding? If you need to change your tampon or pad after less than 2 hours or you pass clots the size of a quarter or larger, that is heavy bleeding. If you have this type of bleeding, you should see a doctor”.5

In Heavy Bleeding: How Do You Know If Your Bleeding Is Too Heavy? the JH note:

“It is very difficult to determine whether your bleeding is too heavy. The best guide is to decide whether your period is having an impact on your quality of life – if it is causing you to be housebound, interrupting your daily activities, or causing you stress and anxiety. The following signs might indicate you are experiencing heavy bleeding:

  • Bleeding or ‘flooding’ not contained within a pad/tampon (especially when wearing the largest size)
  • Changing a pad/tampon every hour or less
  • Changing a pad overnight
  • Clots greater than a 50-cent piece in size
  • Bleeding for more than seven to eight days”.6

Cause

What causes heavy menstrual bleeding?

In Heavy Periods: Overview – 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”.7

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

“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…”.8

Common or Not

How common is heavy menstrual bleeding?

According to the JH:

Periods and Heavy Bleeding
“Heavy menstrual bleeding affects about one in five women and is a common problem in the 30-50-year-old age group”.9

Perimenopause

Is there an association between perimenopause and heavy bleeding?

In Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Complications the Mayo Clinic explain:

“Irregular periods are a hallmark of perimenopause. Most of the time this is normal and nothing to be concerned about. However, see your doctor if:

  • Bleeding is extremely heavy — you’re changing tampons or pads every hour or two for two or more hours
  • Bleeding lasts longer than seven days
  • Bleeding occurs between periods
  • Periods regularly occur less than 21 days apart.

Signs such as these may mean there’s a problem with your reproductive system that requires diagnosis and treatment”.10

Treatment

What are treatment options for heavy menstrual bleeding?

In Heavy Periods: Treatment the (British) Women’s Health Concern:

“Treatment options depend on the type and duration of abnormal bleeding, the presence of specific disease or condition, your age, and desire for further pregnancies. Treatment can be medical or surgical”.11

In Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Treatment 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 doctor 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. For example, some women do not want to have a period, some want to know when they can usually expect to have their period, and some want just to reduce the amount of bleeding. Some women want to make sure they can still have children in the future. Others want to lessen the pain more than they want to reduce the amount of bleeding. Some treatments are ongoing and others are done one time. You should discuss all of your options with your doctor to decide which is best for you”.12

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. The Mayo Clinic explain:

“If you dread your period because you have such heavy menstrual bleeding, talk with your doctor. There are many effective treatments for menorrhagia”.13

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
  • Bleeding between periods or irregular vaginal bleeding
  • Any vaginal bleeding after menopause”.14

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Periods and Heavy Bleeding?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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Links

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  1. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
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  3. About the Menstrual Cycle
  4. About the Menstrual Cycle [Video]
  5. About the Menstrual Cycle: When To See Your Doctor
  6. Adenomyosis
  7. Adenomyosis and Heavy Bleeding
  8. Betteryouknow.org [Better You Know, United States]
  9. Bleeding Disorders
  10. Bleeding Disorders A-Z
  11. Bleeding Disorders In Women
  12. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Better You Know Campaign
    Periods and Heavy Bleeding
  13. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Do You Have Heavy Periods?
    Periods and Heavy Bleeding
  14. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  15. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Signs: Chart
  16. Bleeding Disorders In Women: What Are Bleeding Disorders In Women?
  17. Blood Clots During Menstruation: A Concern?
  18. Dilation and Curettage
  19. Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
  20. Dysmenorrhea: Painful Periods
  21. Endometrial Ablation
  22. Endometrial Ablation
  23. Endometrial Ablation
  24. Endometriosis
  25. Endometriosis
  26. Everything You Should Know About Menometrorrhagia
  27. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States]
  28. Heavy Bleeding [+ Video]
  29. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  30. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  31. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  32. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  33. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – Fact Sheet
  34. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: What Women Need To Know – Podcast
  35. Heavy Periods
  36. Heavy Periods
  37. Heavy Periods Video In 6 Languages
  38. Heavy Periods: Can Folic Acid Help?
  39. Heavy Periods: How Much Is Heavy Bleeding? Heavy Periods Self-Assessment
  40. Help for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  41. Hemophilia.org [National Hemophilia Foundation, United States]
  42. Home Remedies: Managing Menstrual Cramps
  43. How Does the Mirena Coil Affect Menopause?
  44. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Consider Potential Risks Associated With Endometrial Ablation
  45. Menopause
  46. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Periods and Heavy Bleeding
  47. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)
  48. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)
  49. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding): Diagnosis and Tests
  50. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding): Symptoms and Causes
  51. Menstrual Calendar
  52. Menstrual Calendar: Calendario Menstrual [Spanish]
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  54. Menstrual Cycle
  55. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  56. Menstrual Cycle: What’s Normal, What’s Not – How Can I Track My Menstrual Cycle?
  57. Menstrual Diary
  58. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  59. PMS, PMDD and You
  60. Perimenopause: How do I know if changes in my periods are normal perimenopausal symptoms or something to be concerned about?
  61. Perimenopause
  62. Perimenopause – Fact Sheet
  63. Period Pain & Symptom Diary
  64. Period Problems: Heavy Bleeding
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  68. Periods – Menstrual Cycle: Animation [Video]
  69. Periods: Period Problems
  70. Resources / Periods: Heavy Periods: What You Need To Know [Video]
  71. Tips for Tracking Bleeding
  72. Tricky Periods: What’s ‘Normal’ and What’s Not
  73. Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
  74. Vaginal Bleeding
  75. Vaginal Bleeding
  76. Victoryforwomen.org [Victory For Women, National Hemophilia Foundation Health Initiative]
  77. Videos About Bleeding Disorders In Women [+ Video: Bleeds Don’t Define Me]
  78. Video Series-2022: Irregular Menstrual Cycles What’s Normal and What’s Abnormal?
  79. Von Willebrand Disease
  80. Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)
  81. Wednesday Webinar: New Guidelines for VWD: Patient Perspective
  82. What Causes Bleeding Between Periods?
  83. Women and Bleeding Disorders
  84. Women’s Wellness: Abnormal Menstruation Happens In A Variety of Ways
  85. World Menopause Day 2017: Patient Information Leaflet – Changes Before the Change [Perimenopausal Bleeding] [+ Multiply Languages]
  86. Yarning About Periods (Menstrual Cycle)
  87. Your Menstrual Cycle and Your Health

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Heavy Bleeding: What Is Heavy Bleeding? Last Updated: 18 August 2021 | Last Reviewed: 10 July 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/heavy-bleeding Accessed: 26 February 2022
  2. Heavy Bleeding: What Is Heavy Bleeding? Last Updated: 18 August 2021 | Last Reviewed: 10 July 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/heavy-bleeding Accessed: 26 February 2022
  3. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding): Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 01 July 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menorrhagia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352829 Accessed: 26 February 2022
  4. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. Page Last Reviewed: 20 December 2017. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/blooddisorders/women/menorrhagia.html Accessed: 26 February 2022
  5. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. Page Last Reviewed: 20 December 2017. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/blooddisorders/women/menorrhagia.html Accessed: 26 February 2022
  6. Heavy Bleeding: How Do You Know If Your Bleeding Is Too Heavy? Last Updated: 18 August 2021 | Last Reviewed: 10 July 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/heavy-bleeding Accessed: 26 February 2022
  7. Heavy Periods: Overview – Causes of Heavy Periods? Page Last Reviewed: 03 November 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heavy-periods/#what-causes-heavy-periods Accessed: 26 February 2022
  8. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding): Symptoms & Causes – Causes. 01 July 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menorrhagia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352829 Accessed: 26 February 2022
  9. Heavy Bleeding: What Is Heavy Bleeding? Last Updated: 18 August 2021 | Last Reviewed: 10 July 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/heavy-bleeding Accessed: 26 February 2022
  10. Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Complications. 07 August 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666 Accessed:  26 February 2022
  11. Bleeding Disorders In Women: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Treatment. Page Last Reviewed: 20 December 2017. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/blooddisorders/women/menorrhagia.html Accessed: 26 February 2022
  12. Heavy Bleeding: Treatment. Reviewed: November 2019. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/heavy-periods/ Accessed: 26 February 2022
  13. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding): Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 01 July 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menorrhagia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352829 Accessed:  26 February 2022
  14. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding): Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 01 July 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menorrhagia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352829 Accessed: 26 February 2022

Topic Last Updated: 03 April 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 26 February 2022
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