Why Is My Period So Heavy?

Heavy or difficult periods are common. Periods that prevent you from going about daily activities, though, are not common. 

Anywhere between 10-30 percent of women with heavy periods have bleeding disorders, and there are dozens of other potential causes of heavy period bleeding. It’s important to understand why your body is producing heavy bleeding so you can address the issue. 

Ideally, finding the cause can lead you to a more comfortable solution. 

If you’re wondering “why is my period so heavy,” you’re in the right place. We’ll look at some common reasons for heavy menstrual bleeding today, giving you some direction on what the cause could be. 

Let’s get started. 

Beginner’s Guide: Why Is My Period So Heavy?

Doctors commonly cite new birth control methods as causes of heavy menstrual bleeding. In particular non-hormonal IUD (intrauterine) devices cause heavier bleeding than normal. 

In a lot of cases, though, those symptoms fall away after a few months and bleeding reduces. 

Non-birth control medications might affect flow as well. Blood thinners might lead to heavier period bleeding. Changes or adjustments to medications might have this effect as well. 

Hormonal Differences

An excess of estrogen might lead to a thicker uterine lining. That affects the quality and heaviness of your menstrual bleeding. The same can be said about the regularity and quality of discharge. 

Difficulty in your thyroid gland could also be to blame. Hypothyroidism throws serious challenges into hormonal production. These changes are various and depend on the nature of your hypothyroidism. 

It’s possible that hypothyroidism could cause heavier period bleeding. 

Uterine Factors

Uterine polyps on the uterine lining affect the flow of a woman’s period. When the lining sheds, polyps can make increase the flow. They can also increase thickness. 

Uterine fibroids are growths on uterine muscle tissue. They are non-cancerous. They might exist on the inside or outside of the uterine wall. These might also affect your period. 

Adenomyosis causes the endometrium (uterine inner layer) to shift into the muscle tissue. The uterine lining thickens and results in difficult period pains and heavy bleeding. 

Endometriosis is a different disorder with the reverse effect. The endometrium shifts outward to the outer uterine cavity. This causes similarly painful periods and heavier bleeding. 

Endometrial Ablation

Endometrial ablation is a process whereby your doctor destroys your uterine lining. This reduces or eliminates your period flow. 

The process is recommended for women with unusually heavy periods. The same is true if your periods are excruciating. There are numerous effects-of-endometrial-ablation, however. 

For example, the probability of pregnancy is more erratic after the procedure. If you’re looking to get pregnant, it’s not recommended. Discuss risks and outcomes with your doctor if this is an option, you’re interested in. 

Need More Ideas for Relief?

If you’re still wondering “why is my period so heavy?” there’s more to learn. The options above are just a few potential explanations. Your doctor is the best person to talk to about this issue. 

We’re here to help with more guides and insights, though. Explore our site for health tips, lifestyle ideas, wellness insights, and more.