What might recurrent heavy periods be a sign of?

In this article below, revered consultant gynaecologist, Miss Neelam Potdar, discusses heavy periods, including outlining the main associated symptoms, and telling us whether or not heavy periods may be a sign of pregnancy.

What are the main symptoms of heavy periods?

Heavy period symptoms vary for each woman. However, if you are soaking through the sanitary towel/tampon, need to change frequently, or passing clots, you should seek advice. The most common symptoms associated with heavy periods are severe pain, persistent bleeding in between periods, and/or a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen/pelvis.

What might recurrent heavy periods be a sign of?

Recurrent heavy periods lasting for more than three months could be due to hormonal changes or conditions of the womb such as polyps/fibroids/endometriosis or adenomyosis (endometriosis of the muscle of the womb). Occasionally, heavy periods can occur due to precancerous or cancerous changes in the cells for the lining of the womb.

Are there normally underlying conditions causing heavy periods?

If you have an underactive or overactive function of the thyroid gland, or you are significantly overweight, have PCOS, or are on medications such as Tamoxifen, you can suffer from heavy periods.

Might heavy periods be a sign of pregnancy?

It is always advisable to do a pregnancy test if you have heavy periods as sometimes it can be due to an unexpected pregnancy.

How are heavy periods treated? When should I visit a doctor?

If you suffer from heavy periods, do not hesitate to seek medical advice. Women should not suffer and live with heavy periods. It is easy to check with simple hormone tests, an ultrasound scan of the pelvis, and a telescopic look into the lining of the womb.

Depending on the reason, help can be provided with hormones or minor operations such as removal of a polyp or fibroid or further investigations can be organised if there is a suspicion of endometriosis.

If you worried about heavy periods, you can make an appointment with Miss Neelam Potdar today by visiting her Top Doctors profile today.