Should I have tests to find out why my periods are heavy?
This depends on your age and the severity of the bleeding. A blood count should be considered at any age as heavy bleeding can result in anaemia, which can be corrected with tablets containing iron. Teenagers and young women are likely to be particularly anxious, as they may be concerned that they will prove to have a fertility problem in due course. Furthermore, younger women tend to be more physically active and may particularly resent the limitations imposed by period problems. An ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs will usually provide reassurance. It may be prudent to check that the blood clotting mechanism is normal, particularly if there is a story of bleeding problems in the family or if you bruise or bleed very easily.
From late teens through the twenties and thirties, when obvious problems have been excluded, further investigation may be necessary only if the bleeding is extremely heavy or if it fails to respond to medication.
A physical problem becomes more likely in the forties and fifties. Visualisation of the uterine cavity by means of a hysteroscope (thin telescopeFigure 24.2) and biopsy of the lining of the womb (cervical dilatation and endometrial curettage, hysteroscopy D and C) are generally recommended by gynaecologists when medication fails to provide improvement.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 Are heavy periods a common problem?
- 2 What is in my menstrual flow?
- 3 What range of menstrual cycle length is considered to be normal?
- 4 How can menstrual blood loss be measured?
- 5 How can I tell if my periods are abnormally heavy?
- 6 What could be the cause of my very heavy menstrual periods?
- 7 I have been sterilised. Could this be the cause of my heavy periods?
- 8 Should I have tests to find the reason for my heavy periods?
- 9 How will my heavy period problems be investigated?
- 10 What is meant by anaemia due to heavy periods?
- 11 What is intermenstrual bleeding?
- 12 What is a hysteroscopy and D and C?
- 13 What is cervical cautery?
- 14 What happens after the D and C?
- 15 What treatments are available for my heavy periods?
- 16 What are the medical treatments available for heavy periods?
- 17 How do the various medical treatments for heavy periods work?
- 18 What would be reasonable initial treatment for a teenager or young woman with heavy periods?
- 19 What is a hysterectomy?
- 20 What are the indications for hysterectomy?
- 21 What are the risks (complications) of hysterectomy?
- 22 What is vault granulation?
- 23 What are the different types of hysterectomy?
- 24 Is it essential to remove the neck of the womb at hysterectomy?
- 25 Should my ovaries be removed or conserved during hysterectomy?
- 26 How long will I be in hospital when I have my hysterectomy?
- 27 I have had a hysterectomy. Do I still need to have smear tests?
- 28 What are the other surgical alternatives to hysterectomy?
- 29 How do endometrial ablation and hysterectomy compare?
- 30 Are there any psychological effects following hysterectomy?
- 31 How do we decide the best treatment for my period problems?
- 32 Could I have some recommended hysterectomy support groups?
- 33 Are there any support groups?
- Intermenstrual Bleeding - Bleeding between periods.
Thank you for choosing to visit us.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
