Skip to main content

Heavy Periods Specialist

Dr. Jose F. De Leon, M.D., P.A.

OBGYNs located in Dallas, TX & Irving, TX

Heavy periods can cause pain, embarrassing accidents, and interruptions in your life each month. Dr. Jose F. De Leon and Dr. Phuong Nguyen-Luu are expert physicians in obstetrics and gynecology at the practice of Dr. Jose F. De Leon, M.D., P.A., in Irving and Dallas, Texas, who determine the underlying cause of your heavy periods so they can prescribe effective treatments. Heavy periods can be a sign of an underlying health condition, so it’s a good idea to make an appointment at either of the locations to get your symptoms evaluated. Call either office or schedule your visit online.

Heavy Periods Q & A

What causes heavy periods?

Heavy periods, also called menorrhagia, may be the result of an underlying health issue. Although sometimes there’s no obvious cause, your heavy period could be an indication of any of the following:

  • Ovary dysfunction
  • Hormone imbalance
  • Uterine fibroids
  • An intrauterine device (IUD)
  • Uterine cancer
  • Endometrial polyps
  • Pregnancy-related problems
  • Adenomyosis
  • Certain medications
  • Infections
  • Chronic diseases or health problems

It’s also typical to have heavier periods in your first year of having a menstrual cycle, and in perimenopause, which is the time leading up to menopause. In both instances, for teens and older women, estrogen levels tend to be higher and progesterone levels are lower than they are at other times in your life. This hormonal difference is linked to heavy bleeding.

Additionally, periods without ovulation may also contribute to a heavier flow.

When should I see my doctor for heavy periods?

Most women who consider their menstrual bleeding to be on the heavy side don’t experience blood loss severe enough to be classified as menorrhagia, so how do you know if your heavy flow is abnormal? If your symptoms include any of the following, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with Dr. De Leon or Dr. Nguyen-Luu:

  • The need for double protection (pad plus a tampon) to control blood flow
  • The need to change pads or tampons throughout the night
  • Soaking through one or more pads or tampons each hour for several hours at a time
  • Periods that last more than a week
  • Passing large blood clots
  • The need to refrain from daily activities during your period
  • Fatigue, low energy, or shortness of breath
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Bleeding after menopause

If heavy periods are impacting your life in a negative way, it’s a sign that you need to seek medical attention. Often the problem is easily treatable, so you get back to living with less disruption during your period.

What are the treatments for heavy periods?

The treatment depends on the underlying cause of your heavy periods. Once Dr. De Leon or Dr. Nguyen-Luu determine the cause, they may recommend treatments to balance your hormone levels, such as taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills), oral progesterone, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Additionally, a hormonal IUD may help by releasing hormones to decrease blood flow and cramping during your periods.

If the doctors discover that something other than hormonal imbalances is causing heavy bleeding, they may recommend a variety of procedures to address those conditions, such as:

  • Uterine artery embolization for uterine fibroids
  • Focused ultrasound to shrink uterine fibroids
  • Myomectomy to remove uterine fibroids
  • Endometrial ablation to treat endometriosis
  • Hysterectomy in extreme cases

If you suffer from heavy periods, it’s important to get a medical evaluation to ensure your overall health. Call the Irving or Dallas office to schedule an appointment or make one online.