Treatments

Heavy Periods

Heavy Periods (Ending Excessive Bleeding)

Millions of women suffer from heavy, or excessive, periods. The excessive bleeding associated with a "heavy period" can cause women to make changes to their daily activities that limit them from participating in a number of events that, without the bleeding, they might want to do otherwise.

There are several ways to determine if your bleeding is normal, or excessive. Here are several questions you should think about, or answer, to make such a determination:

Does your menstrual flow soak through one or more tampons (or napkins) for several consecutive hours?
Does your menstrual flow interfere with your regular activities and cause you anxiety about the possibility of an embarrassing accident?
Do you experience severe pain or cramping?
Do your periods last longer than seven days?
Does your menstrual flow include large blood clots?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions we urge you to make an appointment to see us immediately.

Causes Of Heavy Periods

It's possible that you have an imbalance of female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones regulate the thickening, or lack thereof, of the inside of the uterus (endometrium) that is shed each month as you menstruate. If your endometrium is thicker than it should be, heavy menstrual bleeding can result.

Fibroids can also cause heavy bleeding. These are fibrous growths, usually benign, that can cause pressure and bleeding.

A disease called endometriosis is another source of excessive bleeding. This is characterized by the presence of tissue that usually lines the uterus being found it shouldn't be, like on the ovaries or in your lower abdomen.

Polyps (benign, fleshy growths on the lining of the uterus) can also be a source of heavy periods.

Several blood clotting disorders, such as von Willebrand's Disease, can prevent blood from clotting correctly.

A condition called neoplasia may also cause heavy bleeding. It is the growth of new tissue that can be caused by several factors, including pre-cancerous or cancerous conditions, or simple thickening of the tissue in the uterus.

There are other reasons women may experience heavy periods, or heavy bleeding. By reviewing your medical history, and possibly recording your symptoms (in a diary, for example) over time, we will have more information with which we can make as accurate a diagnosis as possible.

Medical Treatment Options For Heavy Periods

Drug Therapy

Several medications are available, including oral contraception, to regulate or control bleeding.

Dilation & Curettage

Also referred to as a "D & C," this surgical procedure involves widening the opening of the cervix, and scraping away tissue from the lining of the uterus. Performed as an outpatient procedure, a D & C may help fur a few menstrual cycles but it is not a long-term solution to heavy bleeding over an extended period of time. There are several adverse risks and complications to this procedure, including infections in the uterus, potential blood loss, perforation of the wall of the uterus, injury to the cervix, and possible complications from general anesthesia.

Endometrial Ablation

This treatment permanently hinders the ability for endometrium to grow. A minimally-invasive, one-time treatment, "EA" reduces the symptoms of PMS, menstrual pain and cramping, and most women can return to normal activities the day after the procedure. Not recommended for women who want to become pregnant, endometrial ablation requires the consistent use of oral contraception until menopause to help prevent pregnancy. Other adverse risks and complications to this procedure include infection of the uterus, injury to the cervix, complications from general anesthesia, perforation or rupture of the wall of the uterus and potential blood loss.

Hysterectomy

This is the surgical removal of the uterus, either via an incision in the lower abdomen, an incision on the top of the vagina (near the cervix), or laparoscopically via tiny incisions using small laparoscopic instruments. This surgical procedure will cure heavy bleeding and eliminate periods altogether. Of course, women who opt for a hysterectomy can never again become pregnant. It is also major surgery that is performed under either general anesthesia or regional anesthesia. A hospital stay is required, and there is a much longer period of recovery than either a D&C or Endometrial Ablation. Some adverse risks and complications to this procedure include potential blood loss, infection, internal organ damage, possible development of scar tittue (adhesions), and the risks and complications associated with general surgery and anesthesia.