Some women complain about a heavy flow on their period, while others seem to have a very light flow. This depends on the individual, so having a heavier flow than your friends is not something to worry about. In most cases, at least. There are also times when a heavy flow can be the red flag of an underlying condition which needs to be treated by a doctor.
In order to know when to ask for medical help and when to stock on pads you have to monitor how many pads you have to use during two hours. If you need more than one, you might have to check with your ob-gyn.
Most cases of heavy flows are caused by hormonal imbalances, which can be easily treated with birth control. But there are also cases when an abnormally heavy flow can be the sign of a more severe condition.
Polyps on your uterus or cervix
If your period gets unusually heavy it can be a sign or a polyp on your cervix or uterus. They are cause by infections or high estrogen levels and can be removed during a surgical procedure. Another sign of polyps is spotting in between periods.
Uterine fibroids
A heavy period and severe cramps can be associated with uterine fibroids. This is a very common condition, as 70% to 80% of all women develop a type of uterine fibroid by the time they reach their 50th birthday. The tumors are not cancerous, but can be associated with a rare type of cancer, the sarcoma. In most cases the fibroids will be noticed at the pelvic exam and they can be removed, if the ob-gyn considers it necessarily.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is another potential cause of a heavy flow. This condition occurs when the uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, leading to severe menstrual cramps, difficult bowel movements, painful sex and severe lower back pain during periods.
Unfortunately, endometriosis is hard to diagnose and can lead to infertility, so if you plan to conceive and you experience an abnormally heavy flow on your periods, check with your doctor as soon as possible.
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Another condition which can lead to infertility is the pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the reproductive organs. The signs of PID are a heavy flow, nausea, fever abdominal pain and pain during intercourse.
Gynecologic cancer
In rare cases heavy bleeding can be a sign of endometrial or cervical cancer. The heavy bleeding is accompanied by abdominal pain, abnormal discharge and weight loss. To check for any of these conditions you should get a biopsy, which can rule out cancer.
Bleeding disorder
Heavy bleeding on your periods can also be a sign of a bleeding disorder, like immune thrombocytopenia. This condition prevents the blood from clotting and people who suffer from this condition also experience frequent nosebleeds and easy bruising.
Another bleeding disorder is Von Willebrand disease, one of the most common inherited bleeding disorders in America.
If you’ve noticed your flow is abnormally heavy you need to book a visit at your gyno. Even if there is no severe condition behind it, you might develop anemia in time, so you need to be treated and return to your normal flow.