Each woman’s period is different. Some need extra large pads with wings, while others just use a light pad, even on her heaviest day. Some get most of their flow at night, while others barely bleed after sunset. Although each woman’s “normal” is different, there is a level above which your period is definitely abnormal.
The medical definition of heavy menstrual bleeding is when heavy menstrual bleeding is present for the majority of periods within the previous six months.
Here’s a handy chart to measure your flow against - do it on the heaviest day of your period:
Heavy menstrual bleeding can be a sign of any of these issues -
- iron deficiency or anaemia,
- endometrial disorders (where the endometrial lining grows in areas other than the uterus, or abnormally),
- ovulation disorders,
- polyps (abnormal growths on your ovaries),
- fibroids (abnormal muscular growth on your uterus),
- adenomyosis (a condition where endometrial tissue invades into the muscular wall of the uterus),
- cancers,
- clotting disorders
Understanding whether or not you suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding requires the accurate recording of your menstrual history. The intensity of bleeding varies from person to person, so determining what is clinically heavy is tricky. Furthermore, while a single period can be heavy, a real problem isn’t likely to exist unless the heavy bleeding is present most of the time.
Here are some more guidelines to determine if your flow is abnormal:
- Your menstrual period lasts longer than seven days.
- Your flow soaks through tampons or pads every hour for a few hours in a row.
- You need to change pads or tampons during the night.
- You have multiple grape-sized (or larger) blood clots.
- Your heavy menstrual flow keeps you from doing things you would normally do.
- You are tired, have a lack of energy or are short of breath.
- You feel heavy pain in your abdomen and lower back.
What to do if your flow is abnormal?
Your periods can change over time and in response to your environment and lifestyle. The best way to effectively track if you just have a heavy period sometimes, or if it is a more serious symptom is to track your bleeding and flow intensity on Femcy symptom tracker.
You can also check with your wellness expert to see if your lifestyle or habits are influencing your heavy bleeding, and get the right medical guidance sooner, rather than later.
If you check any of the boxes above,Femcy can be a solution that works for you. Download it here.
