How to stop heavy bleeding

Heavy periods may involve bleeding that disrupts work, sleep or usual activities, prolonged flow, or repeated flooding through protection. The cause can be structural, hormonal, related to pregnancy, or connected with a blood or thyroid problem. Adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial polyps and uterine fibroids are among the conditions a clinician may consider.

Ongoing blood loss can contribute to iron deficiency anaemia, which may cause tiredness, breathlessness or paleness. Perimenopause and polycystic ovary syndrome can also change the pattern of bleeding.

Record when bleeding starts and stops, how often protection needs changing, whether clots occur, and whether pain or dizziness accompanies it. Book a medical review, especially if the pattern is new or worsening. Assessment may include questions about medicines, pregnancy possibility and health history, with tests chosen to match your symptoms.

Take only medicines recommended for you. Ask about options that reduce bleeding and whether iron testing is appropriate. Rest, drink enough fluid and keep accessible protection while arranging care, but do not rely on these measures to control ongoing heavy flow.

Seek urgent medical help if bleeding is rapidly soaking protection, you feel faint or short of breath, have chest pain, severe pelvic pain, or could be pregnant. Prompt assessment is also needed for bleeding after menopause, bleeding after sex, fever or unusual discharge.

Ask what may be causing the change, whether you need a blood count or iron check, which treatments are suitable with your medicines, and how soon improvement should be reviewed. Mention future pregnancy plans and any bleeding between periods.