Why is My Period so Heavy? The Tie Between Fibroids and Heavy Bleeding 

During your monthly menstrual cycle, have you ever asked yourself, “Why is my period so heavy this month? If so, you’re not alone. It’s a question many women have to ask. And that was the case for NBC’s Zinhle Essamuah, who noted in a personal essay, “I’ve complained of intensifying period symptoms since my period began at the young age of 9.” Yet, it was only three years ago, “after repeatedly complaining of heavy bleeding, I got an ultrasound, which revealed fibroids.” And that came after multiple cycles spent tied to the bathroom, living in fear of her menstrual cycle’s arrival each month, along with one visit to the Emergency Room due to a bout of heavy bleeding and clot passing that took a major toll on her health.

If you’re soaking through a pad or tampon every hour or so, it could be a sign that your menstrual flow is abnormal or problematic, especially if it happens regularly or throughout your entire menstrual period. That’s even more true if you double up on pads or use a pad and tampon together. It’s also a problem if you pass blood clots bigger than a quarter.

Too much blood loss during your period may mean you have menorrhagia. This is the official term for a condition characterized by heavy menstrual bleeding with prolonged periods that last over seven days.

So, if you’ve ever wondered, “Why is my period so heavy?”

Continue reading to learn more.

Why is My Period so Heavy This Month?

You could be experiencing an increase in menstrual bleeding for various reasons, but women like Essamuah, who have uterine fibroids, have a higher risk for a heavy period.

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that typically develop in your uterus. They often lead to heavy menstrual bleeding and other unrelenting symptoms that can be debilitating for some. Some women may also have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to full-term.

Studies reveal that, for about 10% of women who ask, “Why is my period so heavy?” the answer is fibroids.

Not all women have an equal risk of developing fibroids. Black women are more likely to have both heavier periods and fibroids. In fact, research shows that 39% of Black women deal with heavy periods. That’s a higher percentage than in other groups of women there are a few reasons why that may be true:

1. Obesity: The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that 4 out of 5 black women are either overweight or obese. Carrying extra weight is linked to higher estrogen levels. And more estrogen in your body may increase your fibroid risk.
2. Nutrition: It’s harder for women of color to soak up vitamin D because melanin can block its absorption. Vitamin D deficiency is tied to an increased fibroid risk.
3. Exposure to toxic chemicals: Women of color are often sold hair products containing dangerous chemicals. Many of these chemicals have been tied to their increased risk for fibroids.

Other Answers to “Why is My Period So Heavy?”

Now that we’ve touched upon the connection between heavy periods and fibroids and the elevated risk they pose for at-risk groups let's explore additional factors for unusually heavy menstrual flow.

Some other causes of heavy menstrual bleeding that can occur with or without fibroids include

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a condition associated with irregular and infrequent periods that is secondary to a hormonal imbalance. On pelvic ultrasound, the ovaries can appear enlarged and with multiple cystic structures located on the outside portion of the ovaries. Causes of PCOS are genetic and environmental factors and the condition is also associated with increased androgens (for example, testosterone), obesity, and insulin resistance.

Endometriosis

With endometriosis, tissue that’s similar to the lining of your uterus travels out of the uterus. When a woman with endometriosis menstruates, she sheds all the lining tissue, regardless of its location, which makes her period very heavy.

Hormone Fluctuations

When a woman is dealing with a hormonal imbalance—either low or high levels—she can experience irregular ovulation. And that can make her ask, “Why is my period so heavy?”  As with other conditions that affect your menstrual cycle, hormonal imbalances that give you less frequent periods can make the periods you do have extra heavy.

Clotting Problems

Certain genetic conditions or medications can affect your body’s ability to form blood clots. While this problem is extremely rare, if you are one of the women affected by a natural or medical bleeding disorder, your periods may become heavier than normal.

IUDs

An IUD or intrauterine device is a long-term form of birth control that’s implanted in your uterus. In certain cases, IUDs—especially ones that don’t contain hormones—can cause you to experience a heavier-than-normal period.

Obesity

When you carry extra weight, your hormonal balance shifts. For obese women (who have a BMI of 30 or above) the risk increases further because fat cells produce estrogen. Too much estrogen causes your uterine lining to thicken. When it’s time to shed that lining at the end of the month, your period will be heavier.

Effective Fibroid Diagnosis and Treatment in Houston

Don’t wait for another cycle to find relief from heavy menstrual bleeding or other unrelenting fibroid symptoms.

Only your doctor can determine the specific cause of your heavy menstrual flow.

If you are dealing with heavy periods and want some answers, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our highly trained fibroid specialists in Houston.