Menopause Heavy Periods

By Dawn M. Olsen

Many women think that they are experiencing what are called menopause heavy periods, but unless they are of the age and experience the symptoms, that might not be what is happening to them. Heavy periods are said to occur when the blood released from the woman is of 80ml or more at a time. Of course, this is not always the case and it is not certain that 80ml is the normal amount, because no woman exactly measures the blood of her period; the amount is just what the doctors have come up based on the descriptions from their patients who have experienced such heavy periods.

Many women, who think they are having menopause heavy periods, might actually be experiencing - slightly heavier than normal -periods.

When are periods considered ‘heavy’?

You are bleeding heavily all the time and then eventually become anemic due to the period and its flow.

You have your period for more than 9 days every month and it is heavy every time.

Your period starts to become a part of your planning and you have to plan activities around it; when you have to skip work or an occasion due to your heavy periods and this happens several times.

You are bleeding uncontrollably, more like when you turn on a tap!

Blood clots start to accompany your period, this happening more than just once or twice.

There are different reasons why some women may experience menopause heavy periods:

When a woman is getting close to the age of menopause, or when it is most likely, and she experiences heavy, unexplainable periods, it is normally a sign of hormone imbalance. But the heavy periods might also be caused by a fundamental sickness. The normal age for women to go through menopause is 45 and over.

Younger woman can also experience heavy periods but that is normally nothing to do with menopause and more likely got something to do with momentary hormone imbalance, which should eventually fix itself. There is nothing to worry about unless it persists for a very long time.

Even though you are experiencing menopause heavy periods, you should still see a doctor about it. Especially when you are not sure about it. What the doctor will normally do is perform a biopsy or a pelvic ultrasound scan of the womb’s lining. It all depends on the symptoms accompanying bleeding and the woman involved.

Another option would be a hysterectomy. This is a surgical procedure where a small telescopic probe is inserted through the neck of the womb, to enable the doctor to get a clear view of the womb’s lining and to see what’s going on there. If there is anything that shouldn’t be there, he will know and let you know what to do in order to treat it.

With menopause heavy periods, when there are no signs of abnormality, treatment is not always necessary. But many women prefer to have something done, even if it’s just to make them feel better. Especially since many women experiencing these heavy periods feel “dirty”, unattractive and moody- which is understandable.

What are some of the solutions?

Pills can be taken if the bleeding becomes uncontrollable

If it is hormonal, contraceptive pills are an option
If its not hormonal, tranexamic acid or Cyklokapron is an option

NSAIDs are also an option and they can decrease blood flow by approximately a third.

Hysterectomies are also performed where by the lining of the womb is removed with the help of a laser. This is a surgical treatment option. However, you can only choose this options if you are willing to forego the possibility of having children.

Menopause heavy periods are rather common in women aged 45 and above, not all women will experience it, but most do and it is up to you if you would like something done about it. But it is recommended that you at least visit your doctor just to make sure that it isn’t anything more serious.

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