Symptoms of Midlife & Menopause
heavy periods
Your periods are so heavy and irregular that you are left exhausted and weak. You never know when your period is going to appear, and during it, you can barely stay ahead of the mess. The cramps aren't typically too bad, but once the bleeding starts, you know you are in for several bad days followed by a week of spotting. When the bleeding finally stops, you are left feeling tired and unmotivated.
Does any of this sound familiar? If the answer is yes, you might be in perimenopause. Irregular periods and heavy bleeding are often caused by perimenopause, a phase where your hormones start to fluctuate and change your typical cycle. When you notice these changes, it is important to consult with your doctor to determine the root cause of your irregularity, and to rule out thyroid issues, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or uterine polyps and fibroids.
Together Women’s Health works with you to answer questions about your cycle and to find the best strategies for managing your periods.
Irregular periods during perimenopause can last four to eight years.
Perimenopause is a normal life phase when periods start to change as the ovaries begin to run out of follicles and hormone levels start to fluctuate. The result? Irregular periods that can be any of the following: close together, spaced farther apart, heavy one time or light the next. This can last for several years and can also include many different symptoms including hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep issues.
Sometimes, however, women can experience extremely heavy flow (for example, changing your pad every hour or soiling clothing) that interferes with your lifestyle.
Bleeding danger signs include:
Periods lasting for more than seven days
Periods closer than 14 days apart
Bleeding that necessitates changing products more than every hour
No bleeding for three months, which could either be a sign of menopause or a hormone imbalance that could potentially lead to precancerous growth inside the uterus.
Options to Improve Heavy and Irregular Periods
Regardless of the treatment you and your healthcare provider choose, it's comforting to know there are several options for you to try. If you are a patient at Together Women’s Health, we can talk with you about any of these treatments, and we will find the option that works best for YOU! We can help you get back to living your best life.
Learn about MembershipMaintain a Healthy Weight. At Together Women’s Health, we always start with SEEDS because these lifestyle habits alone can significantly ease symptoms associated with women's health issues. Reaching a healthy weight can be a way for women to regulate their cycle naturally. SEEDS focuses on water, sleep, micronutrients, macronutrients, fiber, activity/exercise, and the mind. If you supply your body with these basic essentials daily, you are more likely to maintain your weight and experience a better quality of life.
Birth Control. The pill can "turn off" the ovary, resulting in light, regular monthly periods. Birth control pills have also been shown to help decrease night sweats and regulate mood changes related to cycling hormones.
IUD with Progesterone. An IUD releases progesterone mainly inside the uterus. Many women who don't tolerate the pill do much better with an IUD, and do not experience side effects. IUDs also help to make periods very light, and, depending on the IUD type, last anywhere from 3 to 5 years before it needs to be replaced.
Uterine ablation. The goal of an ablation is to destroy the lining of the uterus to avoid bleeding and has an 80% success rate in normal uteruses. You will first need an ultrasound and bloodwork done by your doctor to ensure that you do not have uterus abnormalities such as fibroids.
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