Keywords: periods, ectopic pregnancy,  endometriosis, fibroids, polyps, hormones, cancer,

4 Conditions That Can Lead to Heavy Periods

Heavy periods happen to nearly everyone at some point in their life. Some experience them regularly, while others get a few years away from them before they come back.

 The menstrual cycle has a significant effect on women’s health. In fact, it can affect everything from fertility and sexual function to bone density and mental health. That’s why knowing what conditions may lead to heavy periods can make the difference between a happy life and a not-so-happy existence.

 In this article, we’ll take a closer look at four of the most common conditions that can lead to heavy periods. We hope this information helps you live healthier and enjoy a happier menstruation experience.

1. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that lines your uterus begins growing outside of it. This can cause your period to be irregular, heavy, or longer than expected.

 If you’ve ever been diagnosed with endometriosis, you might have noticed that your period is heavier than usual. Or perhaps it comes back every month for months before you get pregnant. Endometriosis doesn’t always result in a heavier period, but it’s more likely if you have other symptoms.

 Those diagnosed with endometriosis may experience:

• Bloating
•  Pain
•  Back pain
•  Infertility
•  Menorrhagia – heavy periods
•  Pain during sex

2. Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are small nodules or polyp growths inside the womb that can lead to excessive bleeding during your period. They can sometimes be painful, but not always, and they can be big enough to obstruct blood flow through your reproductive tract.

Uterine fibroids tend to grow slowly over time. They usually start as small lumps, but they can grow to the size of golf balls and eventually block blood supply completely. The good news is that uterine fibroids usually shrink and fade away on their own when menstruation stops. If they don’t, surgery can be performed to remove them.

3. Ectopic Pregnancy

When pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus, it’s called an ectopic pregnancy. It can develop anywhere within the female reproductive tract, but it’s usually found in the fallopian tubes or the ovaries. When it happens in the fallopian tubes, it’s called an adnexal pregnancy and is the second most common cause of ectopic pregnancy after tubal infertility.

 Although the prognosis for ectopic pregnancy is generally good, it does carry certain risks, including a higher chance of bleeding and infection.

4. Cancer

It’s one thing to have periods that are more frequent or heavy than normal. It’s another to wake up every day feeling bloated, sore, nauseous, and crampy for no reason. You might find yourself crying out of nowhere or having difficulty sleeping. And if all of these symptoms don’t get better, then something is probably wrong. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.

 When those with periods has been diagnosed with cancer, hormone levels undergo several changes. If one could previously control their hormones and blood flow easily, heavy periods could be a symptom of cancer.

Conclusion

Having slightly heavy periods is not necessarily an emergency per se. However, having extreme periods or bleeding beyond what is normal (soaking a regular pad or regular tampon in an hour) could be a sign of an underlying medical problem. A doctor will usually do some tests to determine what may be causing this unusual condition.

 If you notice any of the following symptoms during your period, don’t wait for the next one to see if the problem goes away. Do your best to get your period as regular as possible to avoid problems that may require medical attention.

 References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5779569/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8509802/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4268192/