Heavy Periods
Periods with heavy bleeding that affect daily life, often causing tiredness and anaemia.
Quick Summary
Needing to change pads every 1–2 hours, bleeding for more than 7 days, passing large clots, and tiredness.
Medicines such as tranexamic acid or hormonal treatments, treating causes like fibroids, and iron for anaemia.
Fibroids, polyps, hormonal imbalance, thyroid problems, bleeding disorders and approaching menopause.
Overview
Heavy menstrual bleeding is common. It can be caused by changes in the womb or hormones, but often no cause is found.
Heavy periods are a common cause of iron deficiency anaemia in Indian women.
Symptoms
Heavy bleeding
Soaking through pads quickly.
Long periods
Lasting more than a week.
Tiredness
From anaemia.
Clots
Larger than a coin.
Causes & Risk Factors
Biological Causes
Fibroids, polyps, hormonal imbalance or bleeding disorders.
Key Risk Factors
- Fibroids and polyps Common causes.
- Hormones Around puberty and menopause.
- Medical conditions Thyroid and bleeding disorders.
Management & Treatment
01. Medicines
Tranexamic acid, NSAIDs and hormonal treatments.
02. Treat the cause
Such as removing polyps or fibroids.
03. Iron
For anaemia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How heavy is too heavy?
Do I need tests?
Sources and further reading
Last updated 21 October 2026. For more detail, see these trusted health organisations.