What Are Heavy Periods / Menorrhagia

Heavy periods, or menorrhagia, affect one in five women and can significantly disrupt daily life. This condition involves excessive or prolonged blood flow during menstruation, often accompanied by severe pain (dysmenorrhoea). For some women, heavy periods mean missing work, cancelling plans, or even avoiding leaving home. The good news is that effective treatments are available to help you regain control and improve your quality of life.

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FAQs

What Causes Heavy Periods?

Heavy periods can occur at any stage of life but are most common during the teenage years and approaching menopause. They may be caused by:

  1. Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding: Often linked to hormonal imbalances, this occurs when no other gynaecological cause is identified.
  2. Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in the womb’s muscle layer. These can vary in size, sometimes causing abdominal swelling.
  3. Endometrial Polyps: Small growths on the womb’s lining, often benign but requiring treatment to prevent progression to cancer.
  4. Endometrial Hyperplasia: A thickening of the womb’s lining, common in women nearing menopause or those who are overweight or have not had children.
  5. Endometrial Cancer: While rare, this can be a cause of heavy periods, particularly in women over menopause. Early detection ensures a good prognosis.
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Why Seek Help?

The Impact of Heavy Periods

Heavy periods are not just an inconvenience—they can lead to anaemia (low blood count), causing exhaustion and putting stress on your heart and other organs. It’s essential to seek help to rule out underlying conditions, address symptoms, and improve your quality of life.

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What to Expect at Your Consultation

Your Journey to Relief

During your consultation, we take the time to understand your symptoms and health history. Your doctor may ask about:

  • How long you’ve experienced heavy periods.
  • The number of sanitary products you use daily and if you experience leaking or flooding.
  • Accompanying symptoms, such as severe pain or large blood clots.
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What to Expect at Your Consultation

Your Unique Situation: Understood

A medical examination will follow, which may include:

  • Physical Exam: Checking the abdomen and performing a pelvic examination to assess the womb’s size and shape.
  • Ultrasound Scan: Either transabdominal or transvaginal, providing detailed images of the uterus and surrounding tissues.
  • Blood Tests: Checking for anaemia or other conditions affecting your health.
  • Hysteroscopy: If necessary, a camera is used to examine the inside of the womb. This minimally invasive procedure may include a biopsy or removal of growths such as polyps or fibroids.
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Don’t Ignore the Impact

Heavy periods are not something you just have to ‘put up with.’ They can take a toll on your quality of life, and in some cases, they may signal underlying health conditions that need attention. Seeking professional advice can make all the difference.

Relief is Within Reach

From tailored medication to cutting-edge treatments like intrauterine devices (IUDs) and endometrial ablation, there are solutions to help you regain control. At Marble Arch Health, Dr. Orla Conlon and her team are committed to understanding your individual needs and guiding you toward the best care options.

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If heavy periods are affecting your life, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Email info@marblearchhealth.com to schedule a consultation with Dr. Conlon and take the first step towards lighter, easier periods.

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Treatment Options
Effective Solutions Tailored to You

Non-Surgical Treatments

For many women, non-invasive approaches can provide relief:

  • Medication: Tablets to reduce bleeding and pain during periods.
  • Hormonal Contraceptives: The combined pill or progesterone-only options can regulate cycles and reduce symptoms.
  • Intrauterine System (IUS): A progesterone-releasing coil that thins the womb lining and can shrink fibroids over time.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

When medications are not effective, surgical options may be considered:

  • Endometrial Ablation: A day-case procedure that removes the womb’s lining to reduce or stop periods.
  • Myomectomy: Surgical removal of fibroids, performed via hysteroscopy, keyhole surgery, or abdominal surgery, depending on fibroid size and location.

Advanced Treatments

For more severe cases or when fertility is not a concern:

  • Hormonal Injections: GnRH analogues temporarily induce menopause, shrinking fibroids and reducing symptoms.
  • Hysterectomy: A last-resort option, removing the womb to resolve heavy periods definitively. This procedure may also involve removing the ovaries if required.

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Your Heavy Periods Questions Answered

A period is considered heavy if you soak through pads or tampons quickly, experience flooding, or pass large clots regularly.

Some underlying causes, such as fibroids or polyps, can impact fertility. Treating these conditions often improves chances of conception.

Hormonal treatments like the IUS or pills are safe for most women, but suitability depends on factors such as age, weight, and smoking status.

A hysteroscopy involves inserting a small camera into the womb to identify and treat issues. It is minimally invasive and usually performed as a day-case procedure.

If heavy periods are affecting your daily life, causing severe pain, or leading to symptoms of anaemia like fatigue or dizziness, seek medical advice.

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Take the First Step Toward Lighter Periods

You don’t have to live with the pain and disruption of heavy periods. With compassionate care and tailored treatment options, we’re here to help you regain control of your health and well-being.

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