Heavy bleeding during periods: how to stop it

Heavy menstrual bleeding may involve bleeding through protection quickly, passing large clots, or periods that last longer than expected. Causes can include fibroids, adenomyosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, polyps, changes around perimenopause, or a thickened womb lining. Ongoing blood loss can contribute to iron deficiency anaemia, which may cause tiredness, breathlessness, headaches, or paleness. Heavy bleeding is a symptom, not a diagnosis, so the same pattern can arise from different conditions.

Record when bleeding starts and stops, how often you change pads or tampons, clot size, pain, and any bleeding between periods. A clinician may ask about medicines, contraception, pregnancy possibility, bleeding conditions, and plans for pregnancy. Assessment can include an examination, blood tests for anaemia, and imaging when appropriate. Depending on the findings, options may include medicine to reduce bleeding, hormonal treatment, treatment for anaemia, or a procedure for a structural cause. Do not start iron or stop prescribed medicine without advice.

Arrange a medical appointment if heavy bleeding is new, recurrent, worsening, or affecting work, sleep, exercise, or intimacy. Seek urgent help if bleeding is soaking protection repeatedly, or if you feel faint, unusually breathless, confused, very weak, or have severe pelvic pain. If pregnancy is possible, mention it promptly because bleeding in pregnancy needs a different assessment.

Ask what might be causing the bleeding, whether you need blood tests or an ultrasound, how anaemia will be checked, which treatment fits your contraceptive and pregnancy plans, and what symptoms should prompt urgent care.