About this topic
The uterus is the organ where a baby grows when you are pregnant. The uterus is also called the womb. If you do not get pregnant, you get rid of the lining of the uterus each time you have your period. Normally, your body sheds the bloody lining over 3 to 7 days. Most women lose about 35 to 40 mL of blood each month which is about 2 to 3 tablespoons. ‚
Treatment may depend on the cause of heavy periods. Treatment is also given to prevent too much blood loss. It can be treated with drugs and, in rare cases, surgery may be done. Sometimes, treatment is not needed. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what you need to do.
- Your doctor may tell you stop taking certain drugs if the drugs are causing your heavy periods. Be sure to talk to your doctor about all the drugs you are taking. Talk to your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, herbal supplements, and drugs that may cause bleeding.
- Keep track of your bleeding and periods. Write down the dates and how many pads or tampons you used. Share this with your doctor.
- Place a heating pad or hot water bottle on your belly or lower back. Heat may be used for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on as you may get burned.
- Get lots of rest. Avoid moving or running around. Do not lift heavy objects. Being very active can cause strains and worsen your bleeding.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits.
- You may need more tests to know what caused your heavy periods. The results will help your doctor understand what kind of treatment you may need. Together you can make a plan for more care.
- Your doctor may send you to a hormone expert if your heavy periods are caused by hormonal and thyroid problems. This kind of doctor is an endocrinologist.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Balance your hormones. Birth control pills are most often used to do this.
- Thicken blood and slow bleeding
- Help your periods become more regular and lessen blood loss
- Increase iron into your blood
- Help with pain and swelling
- Make your ovaries stop working for a while
Will physical activity be limited?
- Heavy periods may make you uneasy and may be painful enough to stop or limit you from doing your normal activities. You may feel tired and want to stay at home from work or school.
- Talk to your doctor about when you can safely have sex again.
What changes to diet are needed?
- Your doctor will tell you if you need to be on special diet.
- Eat foods high in iron like lean red meats, seafood, dark green vegetables, or beans.
What problems could happen?
- Low red blood cells
- Painful menstrual cramps
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
There may be no specific way to prevent heavy periods. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher
- Very bad pain
- You are using more sanitary pads or tampons that usual
- Soaking sanitary pads or tampons every hour
- Waking up to change your pads or tampons during the night
- Bleeding lasts for a more than a week
- Pass large clots of blood
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Feel tired with shortness of breath and lightheadedness during your periods
- Period affects your normal activities
- Nipple discharge
- Too much hair growth
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet, drugs, or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I pass large blood clots, my vaginal bleeding lasts more than a week, or I soak my sanitary pad or tampon each hour.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/blooddisorders/women/menorrhagia.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Periods-heavy/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚