Heavy Periods Specialist

What are heavy periods?

Heavy periods — also known as menorrhagia — create excessive or prolonged bleeding during a woman's menstrual cycle. Signs that a woman is experiencing a heavier than normal period include:

• Needing to change feminine hygiene products every 1-2 hours
• Passing clots larger than a dime
• Needing to wear more than one sanitary product to avoid leaks
• Avoiding or missing regular activities because of menstruation

Women experiencing these symptoms should make an appointment with Pinecroft OBGYN to discuss their options with Dr. Bharksuwan.

What causes heavy periods?

Every woman's menstruation cycle varies significantly, but some of the most common causes include:

• Fibroids
• Polyps
• Hormonal imbalances

Dr. Bharksuwan is passionate about finding the root cause of the problem to help women determine a workable solution.

What are polyps?

Polyps occur when small protrusions of tissue grow on a woman's uterine lining. These are typically noncancerous growths.

What are complications that can occur with heavy periods?

Heavy periods are uncomfortable and can be embarrassing, but they can also cause health problems. Losing a significant amount of blood during menstruation can cause weakness, fatigue, and anemia. Anemia occurs when the woman has low iron levels, which causes the blood to be low in hemoglobin. Since hemoglobin carries oxygen to the tissues of the body, this creates fatigue. Women who come to Dr. Bharksuwan with heavy bleeding during their periods will likely receive testing for anemia. Heavy periods are often accompanied by severe menstrual pain.

How are heavy periods treated?

Some treatments for heavy periods include:

• Lifestyle changes
• Iron supplementation for anemia
• Pain medication for menstrual pain
• Medication to balance hormones
• Endometrial ablation
• Hysterectomy
• Contraceptives to regulate menstruation
• Dilation and curettage (D&C)
• Myomectomy

What is endometrial ablation?

During endometrial ablation, Dr. Bharksuwan uses a number of techniques to destroy the uterine lining. This is only an option for women who are done having babies, and after this procedure Dr. Bharksuwan recommends permanent contraception.

What is myomectomy?

Myomectomy is a surgical removal of fibroids through the abdomen or vagina.

What is a D&C?

A D&C procedure opens the cervix to allow Dr. Bharksuwan to scrape or suction tissue from the uterine lining. This can reduce menstrual bleeding significantly, but sometimes women need a repeat procedure if the problem resurfaces. For more information about D&C and other treatments for heavy periods, contact Dr. Bharksuwan at Pinecroft OBGYN.