Heavy Periods: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment
When heavy bleeding is more than an inconvenience — and what can help
Quick answer: Heavy periods mean soaking a pad or tampon every 1–2 hours, passing large clots or bleeding longer than 7 days. Common causes include fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis and hormonal imbalance. An OB-GYN uses ultrasound and blood tests to find the cause, and treatment ranges from medication to a hormonal IUD.
Heavy periods are common, but that doesn't mean you have to put up with them. Heavy menstrual bleeding can affect your energy, work and daily life — and it can sometimes signal a treatable condition. Here's how to recognize it, what causes it and how it's treated.
Signs Your Periods May Be Too Heavy
- Soaking through a pad or tampon every hour or two for several hours
- Needing to change protection during the night
- Passing blood clots larger than a coin
- Periods lasting longer than 7 days
- Feeling tired, short of breath or dizzy — possible signs of anemia
Common Causes
- Uterine fibroids: non-cancerous growths in the uterus
- Adenomyosis: tissue from the uterine lining growing into the muscle wall
- Endometrial polyps
- Hormonal imbalance, including PCOS or thyroid issues
- Copper IUD
- Bleeding disorders
- Less commonly, changes in the uterine lining that need further evaluation
How It's Diagnosed
- A discussion of your cycle and symptoms
- Pelvic ultrasound to look for fibroids, polyps or adenomyosis
- Blood tests to check for anemia, thyroid function and clotting
- Sometimes a hysteroscopy or biopsy of the uterine lining
Treatment Options
- Medications: tranexamic acid or anti-inflammatory drugs taken during your period
- Hormonal treatments: pills or a hormonal IUD, which can greatly reduce bleeding
- Iron supplements for anemia
- Procedures: removal of polyps or fibroids, or other treatments depending on the cause
When to Seek Urgent Care
Go to an emergency room if you're soaking a pad every hour for more than two hours, feel faint, or have heavy bleeding during pregnancy.
Getting Help in English
An English-speaking OB-GYN can examine you, perform an ultrasound the same day and discuss treatments that fit your plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my period is too heavy?
Changing protection every hour or two, needing to change at night, large clots or feeling tired and dizzy are signs to get checked.
Can heavy periods cause anemia?
Yes. Ongoing heavy bleeding can lower iron levels; a blood test can check for anemia.
What treatments help heavy periods?
Options include anti-inflammatory or tranexamic acid medicine, hormonal pills, a hormonal IUD or procedures for fibroids or polyps.
Related Guides
- Uterine Fibroids Treatment in Korea: What Foreign Patients Should Know
- Severe Period Cramps: When Is Menstrual Pain Not Normal?
- Hormonal IUD vs Copper IUD: Which Is Right for You?
- Bleeding Between Periods: When Should You See a Gynecologist?
- Complete Guide to Women's Healthcare in Korea for Foreigners
Book an English-Speaking OB-GYN Visit in Gangnam
Sinsoe Women's Clinic is a female-led OB-GYN clinic at 537 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, a short walk from Eonju Station (Line 9, Exit 7) and Yeoksam Station (Line 2, Exit 6). All physicians are female, board-certified OB-GYNs, and consultations are available in English. Message us on WhatsApp (+82-10-9517-5719) to book.
Hours: Mon & Fri 10:00–20:00 · Tue–Thu 10:00–19:00 · Sat 10:00–16:00 · Closed Sundays
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Prices and procedures can change — please confirm details directly with the clinic.
