What are heavy periods?
While heavy menstrual bleeding is common in women, most don’t experience abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding, clinically referred to as menorrhagia.
You may have menorrhagia if you experience symptoms such as:
- Bleeding through your pad or tampon in an hour several times a day
- Needing to change your pad or tampon during the night
- Doubling up on pads to contain the blood flow
- Bleeding for more than seven days
- Severe abdominal cramping
- Signs of anemia, such as fatigue or difficulty concentrating
Heavy periods can also affect your social life, keeping you cooped up inside due to the fear of not being able to change your tampon or pad fast enough.
What causes heavy periods?
You could be experiencing heavy periods for a number of reasons. When you visit her office, Dr. Khoo can determine the exact cause after completing a thorough examination.
Some of the most common causes of heavy periods include:
- Fibroids or polyps
- Endometriosis
- Hormone imbalance
- Dysfunction of your ovaries
- Uterine or cervical cancer
Heavy bleeding may also be a side effect of an intrauterine device, a form of birth control inserted into your uterus.
What are my treatment options for heavy periods?
Dr. Khoo works closely with you to develop the best treatment plan to help minimize your bleeding.
When creating your treatment plan, she takes into account your health, future childbearing plans, the effect your bleeding has on your personal life, and the cause of your bleeding.
Depending on the cause, your treatment options may include:
- Hormone therapy such as oral contraceptives or oral progesterone
- Hormonal IUD
- Tranexamic acid, a medication that slows menstrual bleeding
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
If conservative methods don’t help with your symptoms, Dr. Khoo also offers minimally invasive surgery, such as endometrial ablation, to help women with heavy periods.
To learn more and get help managing your heavy period, call the office or book an appointment online today.
