What You Need to Know About Heavy Period Bleeding

This may be a sign that your cycle is shifting, potentially suggesting that you are entering perimenopause

What is it?

Periods can and do vary in length or intensity but frequent very heavy bleeding, called menorrhagia, means excessive or long-lasting menstrual bleeding.

One in three say their period is heavy, and only one in twenty women talk to their doctor about this.

Heavy bleeding is blood loss during a period greater than 80 millilitres or periods lasting longer than a week.

You may be experiencing heavy bleeding if you:

• Need to change sanitary products more frequently than usual
• Require double protection, like with both tampons and pads
• Pass blood clots larger than 2.5 centimetres
• Have your sleep interrupted by your period or bleeding through clothes and bedding

So how can it impact your daily life? Heavy bleeding can make you feel tired and increase your chance of anaemia, which can cause dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath.

It can also disrupt your daily life because of cramping, tiredness, and the need to change your tampons or pads more frequently

Is it normal?

One study found that over 90% of women aged 42 to 52 had periods lasting 10 days or more, and 78% of them said their bleeding was heavy.

So yes, it is common as women approach menopause as there are fewer eggs in the ovaries ready to mature. To maintain regular ovulation, the body produces more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which raises oestrogen levels.

These higher oestrogen levels thicken the lining of the uterus, which can result in heavier and longer periods.

Excess oestrogen, known as oestrogen dominance, can also have other effects too. If oestrogen is not balanced by progesterone you may also see signs of weight gain, poor sleep and brain fog.

The time between your cycles may also increase, leading to longer gaps between periods and more blood flow.

Perimenopause generally begins about four years before you have your last period. But the transition can start as early as 10 years before menopause.

Plus, do not forget that one other possible reason for heavy bleeding can be related to fibroids so please do check any extended or unusual bleeding with your Doctor.

Changes to expect 

Over time oestrogen levels decrease, thinning the lining of the uterus. This means your periods happen less often until they stop altogether.

But when hormones are still in flux during perimenopause, it’s common for women to experience significant changes to their menstrual cycle.

All of these can occur so you need to be aware of them.

Shorter, longer, or missed cycles

During perimenopause, hormone changes happen because there are fewer eggs in the ovaries. This can lead to longer gaps between periods, with cycles being at least 38 days apart, or even missing periods completely.

Women with lower oestrogen levels may have shorter cycles than usual.

Spotting between periods

Changes in the time between periods can also cause spotting between periods. It’s common for thicker walls of the uterus to cause spotting that’s red, brown, or dark-coloured.

Abnormally heavy flow

As oestrogen levels rise, the lining of the uterus gets thicker, which can lead to more bleeding when it breaks down.

Uncommon changes in your period, such as missed or infrequent times, can also cause heavier bleeding.

You may also experience other physical and mental symptoms during perimenopause, including:

• Hot flushes and sleep problems
• Mood changes and irritability
• Changes to sexual activity
• Increased risk for vaginal infections, bladder problems, osteoporosis, and heart disease