Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Treatment
Heavy menstrual bleeding is common, but it can be debilitating and sometimes dangerous. At Marina OB/GYN, our highly trained providers use the least invasive approaches available, including endometrial ablation, hysteroscopic fibroid removal, and hormonal IUDs, to reduce or stop heavy bleeding and restore your quality of life.
Book OnlineWhat Is Heavy Menstrual Bleeding?
Heavy menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia, means losing more blood than normal during your period, bleeding for longer than seven days, or bleeding between periods. You may need to change a pad or tampon every hour for several hours in a row, wake at night to change protection, or pass large blood clots. Heavy bleeding affects a significant number of women who menstruate and can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, fatigue, and disruption of work and daily life.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Hormone imbalance and perimenopause
- Thyroid disease
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Uterine fibroids and polyps
- Endometriosis and adenomyosis
- Uterine or cervical cancer
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Pregnancy complications
- Bleeding disorders and certain medications
How Heavy Bleeding Is Diagnosed
Your provider reviews your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle, checks your vital signs, and performs a physical and pelvic exam. Diagnostic tests may include blood work, pelvic ultrasound, hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy, MRI, or cervical cultures. Your preferences, including whether you want future pregnancies, guide your personalized treatment plan.
Heavy Bleeding Treatment Options
- Hormonal IUD: A Mirena or similar hormonal IUD can dramatically reduce or stop menstrual bleeding.
- Birth control implant or pills: Nexplanon and other hormonal birth control help regulate periods.
- Hormone therapy: Hormone replacement therapy can balance hormones during perimenopause.
- Medications and iron supplements: Reduce bleeding and treat anemia.
- Hysteroscopic myomectomy: Myomectomy removes fibroids or polyps causing bleeding.
- Endometrial ablation: For women who don’t plan future pregnancies, a quick, minimally uncomfortable procedure that destroys the uterine lining to reduce or eliminate bleeding.
- Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy, often via robotic surgery, is a permanent solution when other treatments aren’t effective.
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Heavy Bleeding FAQs
How do I know if my period is too heavy?
Soaking a pad or tampon every hour for several hours, bleeding longer than seven days, or passing large clots are signs of heavy bleeding.
Can heavy periods cause anemia?
Yes. Heavy blood loss can cause iron-deficiency anemia, leading to fatigue and weakness.
What causes heavy menstrual bleeding?
Common causes include fibroids, polyps, hormone imbalance, PCOS, thyroid disease, and bleeding disorders.
Can an IUD stop heavy periods?
Yes. Hormonal IUDs like Mirena often greatly reduce or stop menstrual bleeding.
What is endometrial ablation?
Endometrial ablation destroys the uterine lining to reduce or eliminate bleeding. It is for women who don’t plan future pregnancies.
Do I need a hysterectomy for heavy bleeding?
Usually not. Most women find relief with less invasive options first.
Is bleeding after menopause normal?
No. Any bleeding after menopause should be evaluated promptly.