--- title: "Heavy periods: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "A plain-English guide to heavy menstrual bleeding — what counts as heavy, causes, and when to see a GP." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/heavy-periods/ robots: noindex --- # Heavy periods: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z A plain-English guide to heavy menstrual bleeding — what counts as heavy, causes, and when to see a GP. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What are heavy periods? Heavy periods (menorrhagia) mean bleeding that is unusually heavy or long — soaking through pads or tampons every hour or two, passing large clots, or bleeding for more than 7 days. Common causes include fibroids, hormonal changes and the copper coil. See a GP if heavy bleeding affects your life or causes anaemia symptoms like tiredness. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Heavy periods, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 8 sections ## Key facts about heavy periods - About 1 in 20 women see a GP about heavy periods each year. - Heavy bleeding can cause iron deficiency anaemia — tiredness, breathlessness, pale skin. - Fibroids and hormonal imbalance are common causes in your 30s and 40s. - The copper IUD (coil) can make periods heavier — discuss alternatives if this is a problem. - Effective treatments include hormonal contraception, tranexamic acid, and procedures. ## When periods are heavier than normal Heavy menstrual bleeding — medically called **menorrhagia** — affects about one in five women at some point. It means losing more blood than is typical during a period, or bleeding for longer. Heavy periods are common but not something you simply have to accept — effective treatments exist. ## What counts as a heavy period You may have heavy periods if you: - need to change pads or tampons every 1 to 2 hours - use double protection (pad plus tampon) - pass blood clots larger than about 2.5cm (10p coin size) - bleed for more than 7 days - need to get up at night to change protection - restrict daily activities because of bleeding - feel tired, breathless or dizzy — signs of iron deficiency anaemia Tracking your bleeding over two or three cycles helps a GP assess severity. ## Common causes Sometimes no underlying cause is found. When a cause is identified, common ones include: **Fibroids** — non-cancerous growths in the womb wall, common in your 30s and 40s **Polyps** — small growths in the womb lining **Hormonal changes** — including **perimenopause** (the transition to menopause) **Copper IUD** — the non-hormonal coil can make periods heavier **Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)** — irregular cycles and sometimes heavy bleeding **Blood clotting disorders** — less common **Medications** — including anticoagulants **Womb cancer** — rare but more likely after menopause; any postmenopausal bleeding needs urgent assessment ## When heavy periods cause anaemia Losing significant blood each month can deplete iron, leading to **iron deficiency anaemia** — tiredness, pale skin, shortness of breath on exertion, and heart palpitations. A GP can check with a blood test and prescribe iron supplements alongside treating the heavy bleeding. ## What a GP may do Assessment may include: - blood tests for anaemia and thyroid function - pelvic examination - ultrasound scan of the womb and ovaries - referral to gynaecology if needed Treatment depends on cause, age, and whether you plan to have children. ## Treatment options **Non-hormonal:** - Tranexamic acid — tablets taken during bleeding that reduce blood loss - NSAIDs — ibuprofen or mefenamic acid reduce bleeding and ease pain **Hormonal:** - combined or progestogen contraception - Hormonal IUD (Mirena) — often dramatically reduces bleeding **Procedural:** - endometrial ablation (lining of womb treated) - fibroid removal or embolisation - hysterectomy — for severe cases when other options fail and family is complete ## When to seek urgent help Seek urgent assessment for bleeding that soaks through protection hourly and will not slow, fainting, or severe pain with heavy bleeding — especially if there is a chance of pregnancy or miscarriage. ## Heavy periods and quality of life Heavy bleeding affects work, relationships, and physical health. If your periods limit your life, you deserve investigation and treatment — not reassurance to “wait and see” without assessment. ## ! When to see a GP about heavy periods See a GP if you need to change sanitary products every hour or two, pass clots larger than a 10p coin, bleed for more than 7 days, bleed between periods or after sex, or feel tired, breathless or dizzy (possible anaemia). Seek urgent help for flooding that will not stop, fainting, or severe pain with very heavy bleeding. ## Common questions about heavy periods How do I know if my periods are too heavy? Signs include needing to change pads or tampons every 1 to 2 hours, doubling up on protection, passing large clots, bleeding for more than 7 days, or bleeding that restricts daily activities. If in doubt, track your bleeding for 2 to 3 cycles and discuss with a GP. What causes heavy periods? Often no cause is found. Known causes include fibroids, polyps, hormonal changes (including perimenopause), the copper IUD, polycystic ovary syndrome, blood clotting disorders, and — rarely — womb cancer. Investigation depends on age and symptoms. Can heavy periods cause anaemia? Yes. Losing a lot of blood each month can deplete iron stores, causing tiredness, pale skin, breathlessness and dizziness. A GP can check your blood count and iron levels and prescribe iron supplements if needed. What treatments are available for heavy periods? Options include tranexamic acid (reduces bleeding), anti-inflammatory painkillers, hormonal contraception (pill, patch, hormonal IUD), and procedures such as endometrial ablation or fibroid treatment. A GP or gynaecologist discusses what suits you. Are heavy periods normal in perimenopause? Periods often change in the years before menopause — cycles may become irregular and bleeding heavier. Still see a GP to rule out other causes, especially bleeding between periods or after sex. ## Sources - [NHS — Heavy periods](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heavy-periods/)