Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsReasons for Heavy PeriodsDoes It Work?TypesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Reasons for Heavy Periods
Does It Work?
Types
Frequently Asked Questions
If left untreated,heavy menstrual bleeding(previously called menorrhagia) can lead to iron deficiency anemia. One commonly used option for treating heavy menstrual bleeding is birth control.
It is estimated that about 20% of people who haveperiods experience heavy bleeding.
This article explains heavy menstrual bleeding and how birth control can help manage heavy periods.
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What Is Heavy Menstrual Bleeding?
Heavy menstrual bleeding refers to heavy periods or periods that last longer than usual. Since the cause determines the treatment, it’s essential to talk to your healthcare provider about heavy periods.
Causes
During yourmenstrual cycle, the uterus sheds its lining (endometrium) if an egg is not fertilized. This shedding occurs in response toestrogenreleased from theovaries.
How much and how long you bleed varies from person to person. However, very heavy periods are not normal.
Several conditions can cause vaginal bleeding that you might assume are just heavy periods, including:
Symptoms
The obvious symptom is heavy bleeding. But, what counts as “heavy bleeding?” Signs of heavy periods include:
When to See a DoctorIf you have symptoms of heavy periods, see your doctor for an evaluation. They will be able to pinpoint the cause and treat it.
When to See a Doctor
If you have symptoms of heavy periods, see your doctor for an evaluation. They will be able to pinpoint the cause and treat it.
What’s Considered Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding?
RecapMenorrhagia is a term that was previously used for heavy periods. Heavy periods are those that last longer than seven days or that soak through menstrual products more than every one or two hours for several hours in a row. Hormonal fluctuations, fibroids, cancer, and thyroid disease are some things that can cause heavy periods.
Recap
Menorrhagia is a term that was previously used for heavy periods. Heavy periods are those that last longer than seven days or that soak through menstrual products more than every one or two hours for several hours in a row. Hormonal fluctuations, fibroids, cancer, and thyroid disease are some things that can cause heavy periods.
Birth Control for Heavy Periods
To diagnose heavy menstrual bleeding, your doctor will perform a physical exam, including apelvic exam. In addition, they may suggest further tests, including:
All of these tests can be done in your doctor’s office.
Treatments will depend on the cause of the bleeding. Hormonalcontraceptives(likethe pill) help to reduce the bleeding you experience during your period. Therefore, your healthcare provider may recommend hormonal contraception as part of heavy period treatment.
Birth control offers several benefits for treating heavy periods, including:
Evidence suggests that combined oral contraceptives are effective at reducing heavy menstrual bleeding. In a 2019 Cochrane review looking at previous studies, researchers found that combined oral hormonal contraceptives reduced menstrual bleeding to normal levels in 12% to 70% of people (compared to 3% of those taking a placebo).
And alternative heavy period treatment may involved a surgical procedure such as endometrialablation, which destroys the uterine lining. This procedure is not recommended for people who want to get pregnant in the future.
RecapIf you have heavy periods, your doctor will do a pelvic exam. They may also order further tests, such as bloodwork, imaging tests, and a biopsy. Hormonal birth control is one effective way to stop or reduce heavy periods.
If you have heavy periods, your doctor will do a pelvic exam. They may also order further tests, such as bloodwork, imaging tests, and a biopsy. Hormonal birth control is one effective way to stop or reduce heavy periods.
Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP): What You Should Know
Types of Birth Control
Birth control may be a promising treatment option for heavy periods, especially if you want to get pregnant in the future.That’s because, unlike surgical options, hormonal birth control is reversible.
Prescription birth control methodsthat may provide help for heavy bleeding include:
Compared to those who use progestin-only pills, people who use the Mirena IUD for heavy period treatment seem more satisfied and willing to continue with their treatment. For this reason, Mirena may be a more effective treatment option than birth control pills.
Summary
Hormonal birth control is one proven option for treating heavy periods. Research suggests that hormonal contraception effectively reduces blood loss and days that you bleed. Since birth control is reversible, it may be a good choice for treating heavy periods for people who wish to get pregnant in the future.
A Word From Verywell
Keep in mind that everyone may have different reactions to specific birth control methods. So even though hormonal birth control can be a valuable part of heavy period treatment, it is only one of several treatment options.
The reason most people use hormonal birth control is to preventunintended pregnancy. But if you have heavy periods, talk to your healthcare provider about some of the possible non-contraceptive benefits of birth control.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt may take up to three months before you notice reduced bleeding after starting birth control.Studies have found that combination birth control pills are effective at reducing heavy periods. In addition, the Mirena IUD is FDA-approved for treating heavy periods and may be an even more effective option than birth control pills.Learn MoreUsing the Mirena IUD to Treat Heavy PeriodsSide effects from birth control treatment for heavy periods are the same as those for birth control for contraception and depend on which method you choose. Common side effects of hormonal birth control include acne, spotting between periods, breast tenderness, depression, headaches, cramps, and weight gain.Learn MoreBirth Control Side EffectsAt-home treatments for heavy periods include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and iron supplements.However, before trying OTC treatments, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider.Learn MoreNSAIDs Overview
It may take up to three months before you notice reduced bleeding after starting birth control.
Studies have found that combination birth control pills are effective at reducing heavy periods. In addition, the Mirena IUD is FDA-approved for treating heavy periods and may be an even more effective option than birth control pills.Learn MoreUsing the Mirena IUD to Treat Heavy Periods
Studies have found that combination birth control pills are effective at reducing heavy periods. In addition, the Mirena IUD is FDA-approved for treating heavy periods and may be an even more effective option than birth control pills.
Learn MoreUsing the Mirena IUD to Treat Heavy Periods
Side effects from birth control treatment for heavy periods are the same as those for birth control for contraception and depend on which method you choose. Common side effects of hormonal birth control include acne, spotting between periods, breast tenderness, depression, headaches, cramps, and weight gain.Learn MoreBirth Control Side Effects
Side effects from birth control treatment for heavy periods are the same as those for birth control for contraception and depend on which method you choose. Common side effects of hormonal birth control include acne, spotting between periods, breast tenderness, depression, headaches, cramps, and weight gain.
Learn MoreBirth Control Side Effects
At-home treatments for heavy periods include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and iron supplements.However, before trying OTC treatments, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider.Learn MoreNSAIDs Overview
At-home treatments for heavy periods include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and iron supplements.However, before trying OTC treatments, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Learn MoreNSAIDs Overview
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Cleveland Clinic.Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding).
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG): InformedHealth.org.What are the treatment options for heavy periods?
Wouk N, Helton M.Abnormal uterine bleeding in premenopausal women.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(7):435-443.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Combined hormonal birth control: Pill, patch, and ring.
Bradley LD, Gueye NA.The medical management of abnormal uterine bleeding in reproductive-aged women.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016;214(1):31-44. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2015.07.044
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: Pill and injection.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. InformedHealth.org [Internet].What are the treatment options for heavy periods?
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