Why does endometrial hyperplasia cause heavy periods?

Endometrial hyperplasia means that the lining inside the womb has become thicker than expected. It often develops when oestrogen stimulates the lining without enough progesterone to balance that growth. A thick, uneven lining may take longer to shed and can release more blood during a period. Bleeding may also become irregular or last longer than usual.

Heavy periods have several possible causes, including fibroids, adenomyosis, hormonal changes, medicines, and bleeding disorders. Heavy bleeding does not identify hyperplasia on its own, so testing is needed when symptoms persist or recur.

Book an appointment if your periods are difficult to manage, interfere with daily activities, or have changed from your usual pattern. Keep a record of bleeding days, clots, pain, tiredness, and medicines. A clinician may assess for anaemia and use ultrasound or a sample of the womb lining to clarify the cause.

Seek urgent care if bleeding is soaking through protection repeatedly, you feel faint, breathless, or very weak, or you have severe pain. Prompt review is also needed for bleeding after menopause or bleeding during pregnancy.

Ask whether your symptoms suggest a need for lining sampling, how anaemia will be checked, what treatments may reduce bleeding, and when your results should be reviewed.