Some women suffer from heaviness of the period in different periods of their lives, and it may be difficult to determine if the matter is normal or requires medical consultation.
For despite that changing the amount of bleeding happens for many reasons, but the continuation of the period's heaviness may be an indicator of a health problem that must be paid attention to. And the severity of the bleeding affects the daily energy, level of concentration and quality of life in a clear way.
Especially if it accompanied with severe pains or disturbance in the dates of the period. Also, ignoring the blood heaviness may lead with time to iron deficiency and chronic fatigue. Therefore, understanding the potential causes and danger signs is beneficial.
What are the most famous causes of heaviness of the menstrual period?
The heaviness of the period may happen for reasons related to the hormones or to the uterus itself, and among them:
- Imbalance of the hormonal balance especially between estrogen and progesterone.
- Uterine fibroid tumors that increase the amount of blood.
- Ovarian cysts and disturbance of ovulation.
- Inflammations of the uterus or the pelvis.
- Hormonal contraception methods especially the copper IUD.
- · Blood clotting disorders in some women.
When is the heaviness of the period considered not normal?
The heaviness of the period is considered not normal if you noticed one or more of the following:
- The descent of large clots of blood.
- The need to change the sanitary pads every hour or two hours.
- The continuation of the bleeding more than 7 days.
- The feeling of dizziness or severe fatigue during the period.
- The sleep or daily activities being affected because of the amount of bleeding.
Are there reasons related to hormones?
Yes, for hormones play a main role in regulating the growth of the lining of the uterus and the amount of blood. The most important hormonal causes:
- Increase of estrogen compared to progesterone.
- Disturbance of the thyroid gland.
- Irregularity of ovulation especially in the age of adolescence and before menopause.
- These conditions cause thickening of the lining and thus increase the bleeding.
Do chronic diseases cause heaviness of the period?
Some general diseases in the body can affect the nature of the period, and among them:
- Liver diseases.
- Immunity disorders.
- Blood clotting problems.
- Use of blood-thinning medications.
- These problems must be discussed with the doctor to evaluate the appropriate treatment.
Are there dangerous signs that require immediate worry?
Yes, there are signs that require worry, and among them:
- Very severe bleeding that does not stop.
- Obvious pallor or general weakness.
- Sharp or unbearable pain in the abdomen.
- Bleeding between the periods or after the marital relationship.
- The occurrence of sudden bleeding after years of regularity.
Home solutions to reduce period bleeding
Some steps can help in alleviating the bleeding temporarily:
- Rest and reducing physical effort.
- Drinking a sufficient amount of water.
- Iron supplements when anemia is present after consulting the doctor.
- Placing cold compresses on the abdomen to reduce blood flow.
- Avoiding drinks that increase inflammation like excessive caffeine.
What tests does the doctor request when there is heaviness of the period?
Often the doctor will request the following:
- Blood tests to know the level of hemoglobin and iron.
- Thyroid hormone tests.
- Ultrasound waves on the uterus.
- Evaluation for clotting disorders when needed.
- These tests help in determining the cause accurately and putting a suitable treatment plan.
What are the treatment options for heaviness of the menstrual period?
The treatment depends on the cause, and it may include:
- Medications to regulate the hormones.
- Anti-inflammatories to alleviate the bleeding.
- The hormonal IUD in some cases.
- Treatment of anemia with iron supplements.
- Treatment of fibroid tumors if they were the cause.
- Changing the contraception method if it was the cause of increased bleeding.
Common questions about the causes of heaviness of the menstrual period
Does heaviness of the period affect pregnancy?
It may affect if the cause is a hormonal disturbance or a problem in the lining of the uterus, but early treatment improves the chances of pregnancy significantly.
Can heaviness of the period be hereditary?
Some women have a hereditary predisposition for hormonal disorders or fibroid tumors that increase the amount of bleeding.
Is anemia a result or a cause of heaviness of the period?
Anemia is often a result of the severe bleeding, but it may increase fatigue and exacerbate the symptoms if not treated.
Summary of the article
Heaviness of the menstrual period is a common problem among women and may sometimes be normal, but in many cases, it points to a hormonal disturbance or a problem in the uterus that requires evaluation. It is important to monitor the amount of bleeding, the duration of the period, and the accompanying symptoms to determine if the matter requires worry. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment help in reducing the bleeding and improving the general health, while some home steps contribute to alleviating the symptoms temporarily.
If the bleeding is severe or accompanied by unusual symptoms, then seeking medical help becomes necessary to preserve health and comfort.