Heavy Periods: Signs You Should Not Ignore

Periods differ from one woman to another, but consistently heavy bleeding should not simply be accepted as normal.

A period may be considered heavy if it lasts longer than seven days, requires additional sanitary protection at night, or means using pads and tampons together. Heavy periods can also interfere with work, school, exercise and everyday activities.

It is important to arrange a medical assessment if your periods have recently become heavier, you are worried about the bleeding, or you also experience severe pain or bleeding between periods.

During an assessment, your doctor may ask about your menstrual cycle, symptoms, contraception and medical history. Blood tests may be recommended to check for iron-deficiency anaemia, which can sometimes be caused by heavy periods.

Further examinations or scans may be considered depending on your symptoms.

Nova Women’s Health Clinic in Clonmel offers supportive and personalised care for heavy, painful and irregular periods.