If you have ever asked yourself, “Why is my period not stopping?” or “Why is my period lasting so long?” you are not alone. Many women experience heavy or prolonged periods, but it can be hard to know if or when it is a problem.
Historically, menstruation was a taboo topic that was even associated with shame and stigma, so there was a significant lack of open discussion or education about the menstrual cycle. The subject was often not even discussed among grandmothers, mothers, and daughters, leaving each generation to figure things out on its own. Even though things are changing a bit, most women do not sit around talking about their periods and comparing notes. This makes it difficult to know if what you are experiencing is considered normal or if you should seek medical assistance. Today, we are going to talk about some signs that you’re losing too much blood during your period, what to do if your period lasts more than 10 days, and if you should go to the hospital for heavy menstrual bleeding.
What Is Normal Blood Loss During a Period?
Most women lose about 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 50 milliliters) of blood during their period, which usually happens over 2 to 7 days. If you are losing more than 5 tablespoons during your period (about 80 milliliters), it is considered heavy bleeding, or menorrhagia.
Signs of Heavy Periods
Some of the signs that your period is heavier than normal and you are losing too much blood include:
- Soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours in a row.
- Passing blood clots larger than a quarter.
- Bleeding that lasts more than 7 days.
- Feeling tired, weak, or short of breath.
- Your skin is pale, or you experience dizziness.
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if it happens every month, you need to make an appointment with your doctor so they can determine the root cause.
When Should You Go to the Hospital for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding?
Sometimes, you need to seek medical attention right away and follow up with your usual doctor after the immediate danger has been dealt with. Losing too much blood too quickly can lead to serious medical issues, so it is important you get checked out quickly if you are experiencing the following:
- You are soaking through one pad or tampon every hour for several hours.
- You feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint.
- You experience chest pain or difficulty breathing.
These could be signs of severe blood loss or a serious case of anemia, which requires immediate treatment.
Possible Causes of Heavy Periods
Heavy menstrual bleeding can be caused by many different gynecological conditions, including:
- Uterine fibroids
- Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow inside or on the wall of the uterus and can vary in size from as small as a seed to as large as a melon. Fibroids can cause heavy bleeding, long periods, pelvic pressure, and other painful symptoms. Some women do not have any symptoms that they notice, but fibroids could be causing fertility issues and preventing them from getting pregnant. Other women suffer greatly and find it impossible to go about their daily routine.
- Adenomyosis
- Adenomyosis is a condition that happens when the inner lining of the uterus (called the endometrium) grows into the muscle layer of the uterus. It can make the uterus thicker and more tender and often causes long, heavy, and painful periods accompanied by cramping or sharp pain.
- Endometriosis
- This condition is similar to adenomyosis, but the rogue lining tissue of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause very heavy or long periods, especially if the tissue affects the ovaries or uterus. Painful periods are usually the most common symptom because this tissue still reacts to your monthly cycle, which can lead to bleeding, swelling, and pain in areas where that tissue should not be.
- Hormonal imbalances
- A woman’s menstrual cycle depends on a careful balance of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. If those levels are too high or too low, her periods can become irregular, too heavy, or last too long. Conditions like thyroid problems, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or perimenopause can all throw off this balance of hormones and cause changes in menstrual bleeding.
- PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
- This condition is caused by a hormone imbalance and can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, but it is more common for women with PCOS to have irregular or missed periods. When they do finally get their period, it can be very heavy because the lining of the uterus has built up more than usual after going a long time without a period, so when bleeding finally starts, it is heavier than normal and may last longer.
- Bleeding disorders
- Some people are born with conditions that make it harder for their blood to clot, like von Willebrand disease. If blood does not clot properly, even a normal period can turn into heavy or prolonged bleeding. Many people with bleeding disorders do not know they have them until they encounter unusually heavy periods or they experience issues with bleeding after surgery or dental work.
What Do I Do If My Period Won’t Stop?
The first thing you should do if you are experiencing periods that won’t stop and you are losing a large volume of blood is to seek medical assistance. The types of treatments available will depend on the source and cause of your heavy and prolonged periods. Some of the treatments that may be recommended include:
- Hormonal therapies like birth control pills or hormonal IUDs which can help regulate periods.
- Medications that are not hormone-based, like tranexamic acid, can often reduce bleeding.
- Surgical procedures like a hysterectomy to remove the uterus or ovaries, or a myomectomy, which can remove some uterine fibroids.
- Uterine ablation burns off and destroys the lining of the uterus and can sometimes stop heavy bleeding. This procedure makes it impossible to ever have a baby and does not treat uterine fibroids.
- Uterine artery embolization which can treat uterine fibroids and adenomyosis without surgery.
Where to Go for Help For Heavy Period Bleeding
If your heavy bleeding is due to fibroids or adenomyosis, surgery is not the only option you have. The Atlanta Fibroid Center is the leading facility specializing in non-surgical treatments for fibroids and adenomyosis. Dr. John Lipman, a board-certified interventional radiologist, has performed over 10,000 uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) procedures and has dedicated his career to helping women find relief from heavy and prolonged bleeding, etc, without surgery.
There is no longer any reason to deal with a period for 3 weeks straight with blood clots when a simple 45-minute procedure can free you from ever having to go through this again. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that blocks blood flow to the fibroids and/or adenomyosis tissue, causing them to shrink and die, and is between 90% and 80% effective in treating both conditions, respectively.
If you are experiencing a period that lasts 2 or 3 weeks straight with blood clots, or if you are concerned about how much blood you are losing during your period, see your doctor right away to determine the underlying cause. If you are diagnosed with fibroids and/or adenomyosis, Dr. Lipman and Dr. Banerjee, of the Atlanta Fibroid Center, can help you find freedom and a better quality of life. Set up an in-person or virtual consultation today to learn more about UFE and how it can help you break free from losing too much blood during your periods.
