Do you have a "heavy" period?
I bet many of you reading this are nodding your heads right now, thinking "Yep, that's me!" If your period flow is incredibly heavy, you're definitely not alone.
The thing is, a lot of us just accept heavy periods as "normal" - after all, if that's all we've ever known, we may not realize there could be an underlying issue. But the truth is, your period shouldn't be so unmanageable that it's seriously impacting your life, relationships, and wellbeing.
So how can you tell if your period flow is considered "heavy"? Some key signs include:
- Needing to use super or super-plus tampons/pads, and still soaking through them in 1-2 hours
- Having to get up at night to change your products
- Passing large clots bigger than a quarter
- Feeling like your period is so heavy it affects your daily activities, work, or social life
If any of that sounds familiar, please know there are answers and solutions available. In this article, I'll dive into:
- What a normal vs. heavy period flow looks like
- Possible root causes of heavy bleeding
- Important tests to discuss with your healthcare provider
What's a Normal vs. Heavy Period Flow?
A healthy period usually lasts 2-7 days, with total blood loss of 30-80 mL (2-6 Tbsp). That may sound like a lot, but for many women, it's their normal.
On the other hand, a "heavy" period is defined as any flow that significantly interferes with your life and wellbeing. If you feel like you're constantly "managing" your period, using an exorbitant amount of products, or staying home more often, that's a sign something more significant could be going on.
To give you a more concrete way to assess your flow, here's a quick calculation:
Total blood lost per period =
(# of menstrual products used) x (mL of blood held per product)
For example, if you use about 6 super tampons (10 mL each) and 4 regular tampons (5 mL each), that's a total of 80 mL of blood lost. Anything over 80 mL is considered heavy.
Potential Causes of Heavy Periods
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to excessively heavy bleeding, from hormone imbalances to structural uterine issues. Some key ones to be aware of include:
Uterine fibroids - Benign growths in the uterine wall that can cause heavy, painful periods
Hypothyroidism - An underactive thyroid may disrupt the menstrual cycle
Iron deficiency - Heavy bleeding can lead to anemia, which then makes the bleeding worse
Elevated estrogen - Excess estrogen can cause the uterine lining to overgrow
Endometriosis - A chronic pain condition that may involve heavy, agonizing periods
Adenomyosis - When the uterine lining grows into the uterine muscle wall
To get to the root cause, your healthcare provider may recommend specific tests like pelvic ultrasounds, bloodwork, or even a biopsy.
The good news is, no matter what's causing your heavy flow, there are usually solutions available. I work in tandem with medical professionals to support you in finding the right approach for your unique needs.
Remember, your period shouldn't be debilitating. With the right support, you can get to the bottom of it and start feeling your best again. Wishing you all the best on your journey!