A heavy period (menorrhagia) is considered too heavy when it significantly impacts your daily life or signals an underlying health issue. Here are some key signs that your period may be excessively heavy:
When Heavy Periods Should Concern?
- Soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for multiple hours in a row
- Needing to double up on protection (pad + tampon) to prevent leaks
- Passing blood clots larger than a quarter (bigger than 1 inch/25mm)
- Bleeding for more than seven days Waking up at night to change protection due to excessive flow
- Feeling fatigued, dizzy, or short of breath (possible anemia)
- Having severe cramps that interfere with daily activities
Possible Causes of Heavy Periods:
- Imbalances in the hormones (problems with estrogen and progesterone)
- Uterine fibroids or polyps
- Adenomyosis or endometriosis
- Bleeding disorders (e.g., von Willebrand disease)
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS
- Thyroid disorders
- IUD use (especially copper IUDs)
- A few drugs, such as blood thinners
When to See a Doctor:
If you’re experiencing any of the above signs, especially severe fatigue, dizziness, or constant heavy bleeding, consult a doctor to rule out serious conditions.
If you have heavy periods (menorrhagia), here are some warning signs to watch for that may indicate an underlying health issue:
Red Flags to Watch For:
- Excessive Blood Loss
- Soaking one or more pads/tampons per hour for several consecutive hours
- Needing to double up on protection (pad + tampon) to prevent leaks
- Changing pads/tampons overnight due to heavy flow
- Large clots of blood
- Passing clots larger than a quarter (1 inch/25mm)
- Excessive or frequent bleeding throughout your period
- Persistent Bleeding
- Period lasting longer than 7 days
- Bleeding or spotting between periods
- Severe Pain & Cramping
- Intense, debilitating cramps that don’t improve with over-the-counter pain relief
- Pain that disrupts daily activities
- Anemia Symptoms (Iron Deficiency)
- Fatigue, weakness, dizziness, or fainting
- Shortness of breath or heart palpitations
- Pale skin or cold hands and feet
- Unexpected Changes in Periods
- Sudden increase in flow or duration compared to your normal cycle
- Irregular cycles (very frequent or unpredictable periods)
