Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue — which is the tissue that lines the uterus — starts growing outside of the uterus. These abnormal growths often occur on the ovaries and fallopian tubes. In rare cases, they can spread beyond the reproductive organs.
During menstruation, these abnormal growths behave just like the tissue in your uterus, shedding and bleeding each time you have a period. However, unlike the endometrial tissue that sheds in your uterus and escapes through your vagina, these abnormal growths have nowhere to go.
As a result, this can lead to heavy, painful periods, irritation, and tissue scarring. In severe cases, the abnormal tissue can cause pelvic organs to stick to each other. Other symptoms can include pain during intercourse, pain while using the restroom, and infertility.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you could have endometriosis. In this blog, Dr. John Macey explains what is considered a heavy period, some of the causes of heavy periods, and some of the solutions.
What’s considered a heavy period?
The signs that your menstrual flow may be too heavy include the following:
- You change sanitary pads several times a day or need to use two sanitary pads on top of each other to absorb the bleeding
- Your menstrual flow lasts longer than seven days at a time
- You delay daily activities during your menstruation out of fear of staining your clothing
If you’ve had a heavy menstrual flow for a while, you may also exhibit anemia symptoms, such as fatigue and lightheadedness.
What are the causes of a heavy period?
Aside from endometriosis, other potential causes for a heavy period include an underactive thyroid, fibroids, blood clotting disorders, and diabetes.
Furthermore, some medical treatments can also lead to a heavier flow. These include intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs), certain types of birth control pills, and certain types of chemotherapy.
What treatments are available for a heavy period?
Heavy periods, even when they aren’t painful, should prompt a visit to a medical office, because they could be a sign of a medical issue. When you see Dr. Macey, he’ll go over your medical records, give you a thorough evaluation, and perform any necessary tests to find out what’s causing your heavy bleeding.
Once Dr. Macey diagnoses the cause, he’ll go over your treatment options. Depending on the cause of your heavy periods, you may benefit from a number of lifestyle changes and treatments, including the following:
- Stress management
- Dietary changes
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Removal of fibroids
If you do have endometriosis, he may recommend medication to help control the pain and discomfort. For a permanent solution, he may recommend a hysterectomy, which removes the uterus.
If you suffer from heavy bleeding, there’s hope. To find out the cause and get the treatment you need, book an appointment online or over the phone with the practice of Dr. John Macey today.