Heavy Periods: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

August 4, 2026 Local Health Support

Heavy periods (menorrhagia) are bleeding that is heavier than usual or lasts longer than seven days. Heavy bleeding may not be a cause for concern if it occurs occasionally, but if it happens regularly, it can interfere with your life, and can be a sign of a health problem. Knowing the causes, symptoms and treatment options can help you to determine when to get medical advice.

What is Heavy Periods?

If you do any of these during a period, then it is a heavy period:

Change one or more sanitary pad/tampons every hour for several hours.
Need to use double protection to prevent leaks.
Wake up at night to change sanitary products.
Pass clots of blood bigger than a penny.
Bleed for over 7 days.
Feel tired or weak from loss of blood.

Heavy periods can be caused by a variety of factors

1. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal and ovulation alterations brought on by PCOS may also result in heavy or irregular periods.

2. Uterine Fibroids

These harmless tumours of the uterus can be the cause of prolonged and heavy periods.

3. Polyps

Growths in the uterine lining can cause irregular or heavy periods.

4. Adenomyosis

This is when the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle tissue, causing painful and heavy periods.

5. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Heavy bleeding might result from the uterine lining thickening excessively due to an imbalance between progesterone and estrogen levels.

6. Bleeding Disorders

For some people (people with von Willebrand disease) blood clots may be affected and lead to heavy periods.

7. Certain Medications

Heavy periods can be caused by blood-thinning medications, hormone medicines and some anti-inflammatory medications.

Symptoms of heavy periods

Excessive menstrual bleeding
Bleeding that lasts for longer than a week.
Large blood clots
Needing to change pads or tampons often.
Swelling in the abdomen or severe menstrual cramps
Anemia causing fatigue, dizziness or difficulty in breathing

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider might suggest:

Medical history and physical examination.
Blood tests
Pelvic ultrasound
PAP test (if necessary)
Hysteroscopy or endometrial biopsy in certain cases

Treatment Options

Treatment will rely on the cause and symptoms of the condition.

Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Oral contraceptives – birth control pills taken by mouth.
Progesterone therapy
Tranexamic acid
If anemia is present, iron supplements should be taken.

Home Care Tips

Consume iron rich foods like spinach, beans, lentils and lean meats.
Drink plenty of fluids during menstruation.
If you are feeling tired, get a good night’s sleep.
Use a menstrual cycle chart or a cycle tracking app.
Take your doctor’s advice regarding treatment.

Seek Medical Advice

Go to the doctor right away if you:

Change one pad/tampon every hour for 2 or more hours.
Bleed for more than 7 days.
Have very painful hips.
Become weak, faint, dizzy, or very weak.
Be aware of bleeding between periods or after menopause.

Conclusion

Heavy periods are the norm but if they are affecting daily life or are persisting over a number of periods, they should not be ignored. If symptoms are managed, and a proper diagnosis is made and treatment is sought, then you can start to manage your symptoms and improve your health. If you have heavy bleeding for more than a month, speak with a licensed health care provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

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Disclaimer

The information in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Seek medical advice from an expert whenever you have any concerns about your period.