Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Causes, Risks, and Medications That Help

When you’re losing more blood than normal during your period—so much that you’re changing pads or tampons every hour, passing large clots, or feeling dizzy and tired—you’re dealing with heavy menstrual bleeding, a condition where menstrual flow exceeds 80 milliliters per cycle and disrupts daily life. Also known as menorrhagia, it’s not just inconvenient—it can signal something deeper like hormonal imbalance, fibroids, or even thyroid issues. This isn’t normal aging or "just how it is." If you’ve been living with this for months or years, your body is sending a signal you shouldn’t ignore.

Hormonal imbalance, a common root cause of heavy periods, often happens when estrogen and progesterone levels don’t line up. This can occur during perimenopause, after stopping birth control, or in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome. When progesterone drops, the uterine lining grows too thick, then sheds all at once—leading to flooding. Meanwhile, iron deficiency anemia, a direct result of chronic blood loss, can make you feel exhausted, short of breath, or even cause heart palpitations. Many women think they’re just "stressed" or "sleep-deprived," but their blood tests might tell a different story. And while some turn to herbal supplements or lifestyle changes, the truth is: medication can make a real difference. Treatments like tranexamic acid, hormonal IUDs, or even low-dose birth control aren’t just band-aids—they’re tools that help regulate the cycle and protect your long-term health.

Looking at the posts here, you’ll find real guidance on how medications interact with your body during this time. You’ll learn about drugs to avoid during hormonal shifts, how to safely switch treatments without triggering withdrawal, and what alternatives exist when standard options don’t work. Some women find relief with progesterone alternatives like dydrogesterone. Others need to check for drug interactions—like how certain painkillers or supplements can make bleeding worse. You’ll also see how managing heavy bleeding ties into broader concerns: post-menopausal medication changes, thyroid health, and even how to track symptoms so your doctor doesn’t dismiss you.

This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about understanding your body’s signals, knowing which questions to ask, and finding the right treatment without guessing. Whether you’re in your 20s or 50s, heavy bleeding doesn’t have to be your normal. The information below gives you the facts you need to take control—no fluff, no jargon, just what works.