Heavy Periods Specialist

What are heavy periods?

Every woman has a unique menstrual cycle, so it can be hard to know whether you have heavier-than-normal periods. However, periods are heavy if one or more of the following things are true:

• Bleeding for more than seven days continuously
• Changing tampons or pads hourly for multiple hours in a row
• Wearing two or more pads at a time
• Changing pads or tampons in the night
• Blood contains quarter-sized or larger clots
• Anemia symptoms, such as fatigue

In many cases, women who bleed heavily during periods also have severe cramps, bloating, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

What causes heavy periods?

There are many possible causes of heavy periods, including:

• Endometriosis
• Hormone changes around the menopause
• Uterine fibroids
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) 
• Miscarriage
• Hypothyroidism
• Uterine cancer
• Cervical cancer

The Arizona Women’s Care team can assess your condition and diagnose the root cause of your heavy periods. They can then recommend a customized treatment plan for your situation. 

How are heavy periods treated?

Treatment depends on why you have heavy periods, how the heavy periods affect your life, your family planning goals, and other personal factors. In some cases, lifestyle changes and medication can lighten your bleeding to a comfortable and manageable level. 

If you have persistent heavy periods and conservative treatments don't work, a hysterectomy isn’t your only option. Arizona Women’s Care offers NovaSure endometrial ablation, an effective in-office procedure that takes less than five minutes. 

Before your ablation procedure, a board-certified anesthesiologist administers intravenous (IV) sedation to ensure a painless treatment. 

NovaSure endometrial ablation removes (ablates) your uterine lining, which can significantly reduce or even stop your periods. In clinical studies, 95% of women enjoyed good results with dramatically lighter bleeding during periods. 

Most women get back to their regular routines within a day after their NovaSure procedure.

Can I get pregnant after NovaSure treatment for heavy periods?

Although you can technically get pregnant after a NovaSure procedure, it’s less likely than before. Significant endometrial thinning makes your uterus an inhospitable environment for a baby. 

Pregnancy after NovaSure is very high risk for both mom and baby, so it’s vital to plan your post-procedure birth control with the Arizona Women’s Care team. 

If you need relief from heavy periods, reach out to Arizona Women’s Care by phone or schedule a consultation online today.