What helps with heavy periods?

Heavy periods may mean bleeding that is difficult to manage, lasts longer than expected, includes large clots, or repeatedly interrupts daily activities. Causes can include fibroids, adenomyosis, endometrial polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, hormonal changes around perimenopause, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Ongoing blood loss can contribute to iron deficiency anaemia, which may cause tiredness, breathlessness, paleness, or headaches. The bleeding pattern helps a clinician decide which examination or test is useful.

Book a medical assessment and record when bleeding starts, how often products need changing, clots, pain, bleeding between periods, and any effect on activities. Depending on your situation, a clinician may discuss anti-inflammatory medicine, medicines that reduce bleeding, hormonal treatment, or treatment directed at a finding such as a fibroid or polyp. Check before using medicine if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, taking blood thinners, or have another health condition. Iron testing may be appropriate when heavy bleeding is accompanied by fatigue or other anaemia symptoms.

Seek urgent medical help if bleeding is very heavy and you feel faint, weak, short of breath, confused, or unable to stand safely. Urgent assessment is also needed for heavy bleeding during pregnancy, severe pelvic pain, or bleeding after menopause. Contact a clinician soon if bleeding repeatedly limits normal life or is getting heavier.

Ask what may be causing the bleeding, whether you need an examination or blood tests, how to protect your iron levels, and which treatment fits your health and pregnancy plans. Ask when the bleeding pattern should be reviewed.