You might be asking yourself, "Why me?", and wondering more.

Here are questions you may have about heavy periods. And answers to help with them.

How much bleeding is normal?
Generally, menstrual bleeding lasts 4–6 days and totals about 5-6 tablespoons (80 ml). To put that amount in perspective, it would mean completely soaking about 6 normal-sized tampons or pads. Changing protection every 1 - 2 hours, or bleeding that lasts a long time and/or interferes with normal activities should be brought to a doctor's attention.

Is there a reason I'm having heavy periods?
Excessive menstrual bleeding, also called menorrhagia, can happen for a number of reasons. Frequently, it occurs because ovulation doesn’t — resulting in a hormone imbalance and thicker uterine lining. Cycles without ovulation can be more common as women near menopause, but can happen anytime from stress, heavy exercise and illness. In many cases, excessive bleeding can occur because of abnormal maturation and breakdown of the uterine lining, even when ovulation occurs normally. Other, less frequent reasons include thyroid disorders and benign growths called fibroids.(For more, see Medical condition.)

Could heavy bleeding mean something is wrong?
Abnormal bleeding can sometimes be related to conditions such as diabetes, liver or kidney disease and (though rare) cancer. That’s why it’s a good idea to see your doctor for an evaluation. He or she can do a number of tests, including blood work, a Pap smear, ultrasounds or hysteroscopy, to narrow possibilities and determine a cause for your heavy bleeding.

Can anything be done about heavy periods?
The good news about heavy periods is that they’re treatable. Options range from medications to major surgery with a hysterectomy. Among these are outpatient procedures like endometrial ablation, where a form of energy is used to remove the lining of the uterus.
For example, one of the leading systems for endometrial ablation, the NovaSure® System, delivers precise amounts of radio frequency energy for about 90 seconds. You can learn more about this procedure, plus view videos of women telling about it, by going to NovaSure.com.

Can birth control pills reduce heavy bleeding?
Oral contraceptives (OCs) are often suggested to correct hormone imbalances that can contribute to heavy bleeding. However, they may or may not be the answer for you. For about 50% of women, OCs are not effective for heavy bleeding. There are some people for whom OCs might not be appropriate because of other medical conditions or medications they are taking. And in any case, there will be expense and effort in using them.

The right treatment for you really depends on your individual situation — the reason for your abnormal bleeding as well as things like your age and plans for having children. The best thing is to see your doctor, see what options you may have, and decide what to do together.
(For more, see Treatment/doctors.)

What can I do to feel less tired?
Feeling tired can be related to loss of iron with heavy periods. Low iron levels reduce red blood cells’ ability to carry oxygen and can cause anemia. One way to keep levels up is take an iron supplement. You can also eat more iron-rich foods — things like red meat, liver, egg yolks, dark green vegetables, raisins and prunes are all good sources of iron.

How can I avoid getting dizzy spells when I stand up?
Dizziness or feeling faint when standing up may be a sign of low blood volume in your system or anemia. While drinking more fluids or increasing your iron intake might be helpful, you need to discuss this with your doctor to make certain there are no serious medical conditions causing the dizziness.

Where can I find out more about my options?
One of the best places is your doctor’s office. He or she can explain the pros and cons of treatment choices and what they can mean for you. If you want to do some research on your own, start on the Resources page of this site — it lists a number of websites and other sources for information. And, of course, you can learn about treatments from friends, relatives and other women who’ve had them.