heavy period treatment in Englewood, CO

Heavy Period Treatment in Englewood, CO

Heavy periods can leave you exhausted, anxious about leaks, and planning your life around your cycle. At Cherry Hills Midwifery, Obstetrics, & Gynecology, our gynecology team has helped many women find the cause of heavy menstrual bleeding and get lasting relief through medication, hormonal options, and minimally invasive procedures.

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What Are Heavy Periods?

Heavy menstrual bleeding is known medically as menorrhagia. Your period may be considered heavy if you:

  • Soak through one or more pads or tampons every hour for several hours
  • Need to double up on protection or change it during the night
  • Have periods lasting longer than seven days
  • Pass blood clots the size of a quarter or larger
  • Feel tired, weak, or short of breath from blood loss

Over time, heavy bleeding can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, which causes fatigue and other health problems. You do not have to simply live with it.

What Causes Heavy Periods?

Heavy periods can result from structural problems, hormonal changes, or other medical conditions. Common causes include:

  • Uterine fibroids and polyps
  • Hormonal imbalances, including those during perimenopause
  • Adenomyosis and endometriosis
  • Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
  • A malfunctioning or copper intrauterine device (IUD)
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  • Bleeding disorders and certain medications

In some cases, no specific cause is found, and treatment focuses on controlling the bleeding.

How Are Heavy Periods Diagnosed?

Your provider will ask about your cycle and symptoms and perform a pelvic exam. Testing may include blood work to check for anemia and thyroid problems, a pregnancy test, a pelvic ultrasound to look for fibroids or polyps, and sometimes an endometrial biopsy or hysteroscopy to examine the uterine lining.

Who Should I See for Heavy Periods?

Women experiencing heavy periods should see a provider who specializes in gynecology. Nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and physicians who focus on women’s health can all perform an initial evaluation, and our board-certified physicians handle procedures and surgery when needed.

How Are Heavy Periods Treated?

Treatment depends on the cause, your symptoms, and whether you want to have children in the future. Options include:

  • Anti-inflammatory medications and non-hormonal medications that reduce bleeding
  • Hormonal treatments, including birth control pills and the hormonal IUD
  • Iron supplements to treat anemia
  • In-office hysteroscopy to remove polyps or small fibroids
  • Dilation and curettage (D&C)
  • Endometrial ablation, which thins the uterine lining
  • Hospital-based options such as uterine artery embolization or hysterectomy

Your provider will explain the advantages and drawbacks of each option so you can choose the right treatment. Heavy bleeding during perimenopause may also be addressed as part of our menopause management care.

If heavy periods are affecting your life, call (303) 788-0808 to schedule an evaluation.

Heavy Periods FAQs

How do I know if my period is too heavy?

Soaking a pad or tampon every hour for several hours, bleeding longer than seven days, or passing large clots are signs of heavy bleeding.

Can heavy periods cause anemia?

Yes. Ongoing heavy bleeding can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, causing fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

Are fibroids a common cause of heavy periods?

Yes. Uterine fibroids and polyps are among the most common structural causes of heavy bleeding.

Can birth control help heavy periods?

Yes. Birth control pills and the hormonal IUD can significantly reduce menstrual bleeding. See our contraception options.

What is endometrial ablation?

Endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that thins the uterine lining to reduce or stop bleeding. It is for women who are done having children.

Do I need a hysterectomy for heavy periods?

Most women find relief with less invasive treatments. Hysterectomy is considered when other options have not worked.

When should heavy bleeding be treated as an emergency?

Seek immediate care if you soak more than one pad an hour for over two hours and feel dizzy, faint, or short of breath.