If you find yourself changing your pad or tampon after less than every 2 hours, this may be a sign of heavy menstrual bleeding. The condition can often lead to fatigue and weakness.
Menorrhagia is the medical term for heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. The condition may cause you to change your pad, tampon, menstrual cup, or period pants frequently and pass blood clots the size of a quarter or larger.
A 2023 review found that the condition is a major contributor to developing iron deficiency or, in severe cases, iron deficiency anemia.
It can lead to several symptoms that can affect your day-to-day life. This includes:
fatigue
shortness of breath
severe pain
weakness
dizziness
If you find that heavy bleeding during your period affects your daily life, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can work with you to identify suitable treatments, such as medication and lifestyle strategies.
How much blood is too much blood during your period?
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During your period, it is typical to lose around 2–3 tablespoons of blood over 4–5 days. However, heavy menstrual bleeding can occur if you change your pad, tampon, menstrual cup, or period pants after less than every 2 hours. You may also pass clots the size of a quarter or bigger.
People who have heavy periods may find that they are bleeding for longer than 7 days.
If you are experiencing heavy bleeding during your period, this may also lead to:
needing to get up multiple times during the night to change your pad or tampon
finding that your blood soaks through your pad or tampon regularly
needing to change your pad or tampon after less than every 2 hours
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Several conditions could lead to heavy and prolonged bleeding during your period.
Possible causes include:
Hormone imbalances: Heavy menstrual bleeding can sometimes result from an imbalance in estrogen and progesterone levels. This can thicken the endometrial lining and lead to heavier and more painful periods. It can also result in conditions like endometriosis.
Fibroids: Heavy bleeding during menstruation can sometimes be due to fibroids. These are noncancerous growths that can develop along the muscles of the uterus.
Cervical cancer: There are several symptoms of cervical cancer, which include having heavier periods than usual.
Medication options to treat heavy periods
Medications that may help with heavy menstrual bleeding include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can help reduce bleeding by up to 30%. Examples include ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve).
tranexamic acid (Lysteda), which can help reduce bleeding by up to 40%
Using an intrauterine device (IUD), which can help reduce bleeding by up to 95% after at least 3 months of use. Examples of IUDs include Mirena and Skyla.
If you find that heavy bleeding during your period impacts your day-to-day life, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can work with you to identify suitable treatment options.
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It can also be helpful to track your periods so you can give a doctor as much information as possible. This can help them decide the best treatment to suit you.
Examples of things you can track each month include:
the length of your period
how heavy your period was
any symptoms you experienced, such as back pain
how often you need to change your pad, tampon, menstrual cup, or period pants
If you need help covering the cost of medications, Optum Perks free Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
When should I seek emergency medical support?
In most cases, heavy menstrual bleeding is not an emergency. However, seek medical support immediately if you experience any of the following:
soaking through your pad or tampon after less than every hour
feeling dizzy
passing blood clots that are bigger than a quarter in size
your period has lasted for longer than 7 days
feeling confused
have a rapid heart rate
Summary
If you find yourself changing your pad or tampon less than every 2 hours, this may be a sign of heavy menstrual bleeding. The condition is also known as menorrhagia and may cause you to pass blood clots the same size as a quarter or larger.
There are multiple treatments that can help, such as taking NSAIDs or tranexamic acid (Lysteda).
If you find that heavy bleeding during your period affects your day-to-day life, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can work with you to find suitable treatment options.
