My period is really heavy

Heavy menstrual bleeding may mean changing pads or tampons very often, bleeding through clothes or bedding, passing large clots, or finding that bleeding interrupts work, sleep, or normal activities. It can leave you tired, short of breath on exertion, dizzy, pale, or prone to headaches when iron stores fall. Uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, endometrial polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, hormonal changes, and some medicines are possible contributors. Perimenopause and polycystic ovary syndrome can also alter bleeding patterns.

The symptom does not identify one diagnosis. Note when the bleeding began, how quickly products become soaked, clot size, pain, and whether bleeding occurs between periods or after sex.

Arrange a medical appointment, especially if heavy bleeding is new, recurring, or affecting your activities. Bring your cycle notes and a list of medicines, including blood thinners and hormonal contraception. Ask whether you need a blood count or iron assessment and whether an examination or ultrasound could clarify the cause. Do not start iron treatment without advice if you have not discussed the dose and cause with a clinician.

Seek urgent medical help if bleeding is soaking through protection repeatedly in a short time, you feel faint or confused, have chest pain, severe breathlessness, a racing heartbeat, or severe pelvic pain. Get urgent advice for heavy bleeding during a possible pregnancy. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint.

Ask what may be driving the bleeding, whether your symptoms suggest iron deficiency anaemia, and which treatments could reduce flow. Ask how quickly results are expected, what warning signs should prompt urgent care, and whether future fertility or contraception affects treatment choices.