Heavy periods: causes and how to manage them

Every menstrual cycle, you lose a lot of blood. You envy women who can get through their periods with two tampons: you fill them in two hours! Congratulations: you have heavy periods , or even hemorrhagic periods . At what flow level do we talk about heavy periods? What are the causes and consequences? How can you manage heavy periods on a daily basis? In this article, we tell you everything to help you better understand them.

What are heavy periods?

When it comes to heavy periods, there are two concepts to distinguish: the amount of blood lost during the period and the duration of the period.

Periods are considered heavy if:

• the amount of blood evacuated during menstruation exceeds 80 mL
• and/or the duration of bleeding exceeds 6 days .

Vocabulary to know

• hemorrhagic periods
• hypermenorrhea
• metrorrhagia

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How do you know if you have a heavy period?

You feel like you're "filling up" your sanitary protection quickly, you tend to leak often, you have to pile up protections at night or on bad days... it's possible that you have heavy periods. To find out, you need to estimate the amount of blood lost during your period and estimate the duration of your period - all over a minimum of three cycles.

Estimate the length of your period

Estimating the length of your period is easy. On the first day, count 1. Then count the days until the last day of your period. Generally, even if you experience spotting (a few drops of blood) or colored, pinkish, or brownish vaginal discharge, your period is not yet considered over.

Estimate the amount of blood lost during your period

To estimate the amount of blood lost during your period, there are two solutions:

• Counting the number of cups filled: The menstrual cup is the hygienic protection that allows you to count the amount of blood you lose as accurately as possible. Look at the amount of blood in your cup and count how many you fill during your period to estimate the amount of blood lost.
• Count the number of filled sanitary protections: if you don't wear a cup and prefer other types of menstrual protection, the calculation will be less precise but it is still possible. The Higham score is a tool that allows you to estimate the abundance of your menstruation: discover a sheet allowing you to calculate it over three consecutive cycles.

Use a period tracking app

To help you track your period, don't hesitate to discover period tracking apps . These apps, which can be installed on your phone to track you continuously, allow you to track the first day of your period, the last day, the flow, your symptoms, and so on! We recently offered you a summary of all the existing period tracking apps .

Is it normal to have hypermenorrhea?

There are no rules when it comes to periods. This is our line when it comes to menstruation! In other words, every menstruating person has different periods and knows them. That's why it's difficult to dictate a normality.

That being said, it is possible to give an average. On average, menstruating people have periods lasting 2 to 5 days and a menstrual quantity of 50 to 80 ml .

Also, periods lasting more than 6 days and exceeding 80 mL are outside the average . However, this does not mean that it is abnormal or abnormal. Some menstruating people may experience heavy periods without any associated health problems.

What causes heavy periods?

Bleeding periods can be physiological or pathological. In other words, they can be completely normal or a symptom of an illness or health problem.

Heredity and Genetics

When it comes to periods, heredity and genetics count for a lot ! If you come from a family where menstruators have long and heavy periods, it's very possible you will too!

Age and life events

The menstrual cycle is constantly changing in people who menstruate. It changes with age—we don't have the same periods at puberty, at 20, and at 40—and with events that can affect your intimacy and your life: contraception, pregnancy, stress, bereavement, etc. The variation in hormones caused by these events influences our cycles and transforms them! We can thus notice a disruption in our menstruation.

Copper IUD

The copper IUD, formerly known as the “copper coil,” is known to increase menstrual flow, especially in the first few cycles after insertion. This is one of its drawbacks and one of the reasons why this contraceptive is not always well tolerated. If you have a copper IUD and notice an increase in your menstrual flow, talk to your doctor.

Hormonal imbalance

If you suddenly notice a change in your period flow , it may be due to a pathological cause. A hormonal imbalance , caused by thyroid problems or related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can be the cause of an increased flow of periods. Usually, a hormonal imbalance is accompanied by other symptoms. In the case of PCOS, it is possible that your periods are also more painful, that you have acne or that you suffer from hirsutism (presence of a lot of hair).

Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that develop in the uterus, cervix, or even fallopian tubes. They can cause heavier and more painful periods, as well as bleeding outside of your period. In some cases, these fibroids may require surgery to remove them. If your periods have recently become heavier and are accompanied by other symptoms, don't hesitate to consult a doctor for advice.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a disease of the endometrium, the uterine lining that grows on the wall of the uterus during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle to accommodate the fertilized egg. In healthy people, the endometrium grows during the luteal phase and is expelled during menstruation. In people with endometriosis, the endometrium grows in the uterus but also beyond (in organs outside the uterus, particularly the intestines) and is therefore not entirely expelled during menstruation. Menstruation is thicker and more painful .

Clotting problems

A heavier flow can also be a sign of a blood clotting problem . This could be due to an illness or if you are taking a blood thinner as part of the treatment for another condition. If you are currently taking medication and it tends to make your periods longer or heavier, you may want to talk to your doctor.

⚡Aspirin has the particularity of being a painkiller that thins the blood. This is why it is recommended not to take it during menstruation!

What are the consequences?

While not necessarily serious or indicative of health problems, heavy menstrual bleeding can be a real burden for menstruators who experience it monthly.

On the physical level

Physically, the main consequence of this type of period is anemia: menstruating people who have a heavy flow often suffer from anemia (iron deficiency). This is especially true in young women (15-25 years old). Anemia can lead to vagal discomfort. If you regularly experience discomfort after your period, you may be anemic: consult a doctor, who will prescribe a blood test.

On the emotional level

Menorrhagia can also be difficult to live with emotionally!

• Stress: fear of leakage, fear that menstruation will arrive at any moment
• Difficulty managing: Not being able to manage your periods is often frowned upon: while mistakes and leaks are associated with adolescence, older women should no longer struggle with their periods... except that periods can cause leaks at any age!
• Unable to do certain activities: some heavy flow periods require changing every hour to avoid overflow. You can't go to the beach or ski with this type of problem! Are you having trouble finding sanitary protection that suits you? Check out our dedicated article on how to choose your sanitary protection according to your flow .
• Difficult period length: Having a period for 7 days can be difficult to manage… especially if your cycle is short. With a 21-day cycle, you may find yourself having your period every other week!

On fertility

If your bleeding is “normal,” without any pathological cause, it has no impact on your fertility.

Conversely , if your periods are associated with other disorders, such as endometriosis or PCOS, it is possible that this could have an impact on your fertility. PCOS is the leading cause of infertility in women of childbearing age. However, it is not the heavy flow of menstruation that affects your fertility, but the overall consequences of these diseases.

How to manage heavy menstrual bleeding?

Managing your period is possible, first with appropriate menstrual protection, then with feminine hygiene products, and finally with natural solutions. It is also possible to turn to medicine.

Getting to know each other

Better managing your periods means first and foremost knowing them. Most heavy periods don't last the entire duration of your period. They may be particularly heavy on day 1 or days 2 and 3 of your cycle. Observe your periods and your different cycles to better anticipate them!

🌈 You can use a period tracking app to better understand and track your periods. These apps allow you to record your heaviest flow days and see if there's a recurrence—all without putting too much of a mental strain on your body!

Use suitable menstrual protection

You probably know this, but it's worth mentioning anyway: it's essential to choose menstrual protection that's adapted to your flow to better manage your periods. Choose menstrual protection for heavy flows .

💡Did you know? The menstrual cup and disc are the two menstrual protections that last the longest while retaining the largest flow of blood. Don't hesitate to try these menstrual protection methods!

🌈 In our shop, you can find the Lunéale cup made of medical silicone . Its advantage? It comes in size L to manage the heaviest flows!

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And if you don't know which menstrual protections to choose, know that you can use several menstrual protections at the same time . It is totally possible to use tampon + sanitary towel or cup + sanitary towel or even tampon + menstrual panties. This type of combination will protect you well, especially if you don't have the opportunity to change in the allotted time.

In our store you will find:

• 🌈 Silicone menstrual cups. Available in several sizes, including one specifically for heavy flow.
• 🌈 Menstrual panties for heavy flow from the Smoon brand. Available in black, carmine, and khaki, they come in sizes from XS to XXL! You can also find our tips for washing and caring for your period panties , as well as how to use these menstrual panties.

Smoon very heavy flow panties

Use feminine hygiene products

Let's say it again for the record: periods aren't dirty. However, losing liters of blood (oh, the exaggeration!) and blood clots doesn't help you feel fresh during your period! To be more comfortable during your period, here are some tips:

• Changing your cup in the shower: If you use the cup as a means of menstrual protection, changing in the shower rather than in the toilet will be the best way to feel immediately fresh!
• Opt for gentle intimate products: Water is enough to clean your vulva during your period. However, using gentle soaps can help soothe irritations that sometimes occur during your period. 🌈 In store, we really like the gentle intimate cleansing gel from the Jho brand . Organic, it accompanies you in the shower to bring you comfort during your wash.

I want this intimate cleanser >

• Use intimate wipes when you're out and about: Intimate wipes keep you feeling fresh after you change your menstrual protection.

I want these intimate wipes >

Support yourself with natural solutions

Natural remedies won't cure you or help you limit your flow. But they can help limit the negative effects you're experiencing at this time.

On the one hand, you can use natural solutions to support your body that has lost important minerals. This is the case with iron, this lack often creates iron deficiency (anemia).

On the other hand, you can support your body against period pain. While these aren't directly related to heavy periods, they're often linked to conditions like endometriosis or PCOS—two conditions that cause painful periods. Read our article on how to manage painful periods with natural solutions .

Supporting yourself with medication

The medications prescribed by your doctor can have several uses:

• Limiting flow: Hormonal contraception (contraceptive pill, ring, or implant) works to smooth out the hormone levels in your body. In turn, this can have an impact on the flow and duration of your period: this is not systematic, but many menstruating people have noticed this change;
• Supporting your body: as we were just talking about, menstruation can weaken the body (particularly by causing the loss of important minerals, such as iron). Medical treatments may be prescribed to support your body (iron treatment);
• Limit pain: If you suffer from painful periods, taking medications such as painkillers can help you manage your period better. For more on this, see our article on how to manage painful periods.

Should I see a doctor?

It is worth consulting a doctor in four different situations:

• At the very beginning of your menstruating life: periods with a heavy flow can be normal and hereditary, but they can also be linked to pathologies that are sometimes detectable from the first period. This is why carrying out additional tests is interesting;
• If accompanied by severe pain (or other surprising symptoms): Heavy menstrual bleeding can be completely normal. But it can also be caused by conditions that are accompanied by other symptoms such as painful periods or bleeding between periods;
• If your period suddenly changes: Generally speaking, if your menstrual cycle and period suddenly change and you observe these changes over 3 consecutive cycles, it may be worth consulting a doctor. Indeed, if you previously had short periods and/or with a flow and they change radically to become heavy, this may be linked to a pathology.
  ⚡ Please note: periods can change in a “normal”, physiological way, due to specific events (pregnancy, bereavement, stress or even contraception).

Tips to reduce period flow

These rules have two origins: physiological and pathological .

With the exception of hormonal contraceptives, which regulate hormones, there are currently no medical or natural solutions to reduce flow if it is related to physiological reasons. Talk to your doctor or gynecologist; they will be able to help you choose your hormonal contraception.

If the cause is pathological, the solution to reduce menstrual flow is to treat the condition you are suffering from. This may have the effect of reducing blood flow.

Also read: I have my first period, what should I do?