Can Fibroids Cause Heavy Bleeding?
Do you have heavy periods and increased menstrual bleeding? You’re not alone. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 1 in 5 women experience heavy menstrual bleeding yearly in the United States.
While an occasional heavy period, or heavy period day, is typically not something to worry about, experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding regularly could signify a more serious reproductive condition, such as uterine fibroids.
At Houston Fibroids, we understand that a fibroid diagnosis is often the conclusion after the onset of debilitating and painful symptoms.
From cramping to heavy bleeding, fibroids can cause many life-changing side effects and fertility issues when left untreated, especially if they grow in size or number over time.
Let’s explore the link between fibroids and heavy bleeding.
How Do I Know if My Period Bleeding is Abnormal?
Did you know that up to 14% of women have to call in sick because of their periods? And a whopping 80% were less productive during menstruation because of symptoms like heavy bleeding and cramping.
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), 26 million women between 15 and 50 have uterine fibroids. Nearly 15 million women experience associated symptoms or linked health-related problems, such as heavy menstrual bleeding.
It’s easy to say that a heavy period could cause concern, but it can be challenging to quantify what “heavy” really means.
Flow varies from woman to woman, so any major change could be problematic. As a general rule of thumb, however, your bleeding is excessively heavy if:
- There are less than 21 days between your periods (longer than 35 days between cycles is also unusual, but this would not be considered a problem of excess bleeding)
- Periods last longer than 7 days
- You pass large clots during your period (anything more significant than the size of a quarter warrants a discussion with your doctor)
- You’re losing more than 80 cc of blood. Of course, no one expects you to measure your blood loss, but if you’re soaking through super tampons or pads in an hour or less, chances are you’re losing too much blood.
My Period is Too Heavy – What Do I Do Now?
If you think your periods are too heavy, talk to your doctor immediately.
Heavy periods can lead to anemia, which occurs when you don’t have enough iron in your blood. Anemia must be addressed immediately because it can affect your body’s ability to carry oxygen to your extremities. Over time, it can also lead to iron deficiency, which, in turn, can affect the body’s bone marrow response.
Additionally, anemia can cause symptoms like:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Pain
- Headaches
- Cold hands and feet
- Chest pain
In fact, in some cases, women become so anemic, and their blood count falls so low that they may lose consciousness or even have a heart attack or stroke.
It’s vital to stop the heavy blood flow right away. Your doctor may suggest oral birth control or a hormonal IUD to stop severe blood loss temporarily. They may also recommend taking Oriahnn, the FDA-approved drug to stop fibroid-related heavy bleeding.
Still, these are temporary solutions to help you regain a healthy blood count. You must still address the underlying cause of your heavy menstrual bleeding to avoid serious complications. In some cases, non-surgical fibroid treatment could provide significant relief.
Once you mention heavy menstrual bleeding to your doctor, they will likely suggest an anemia screening to ensure you stay ahead of the issue. It’s essential to try and determine the cause of your heavy bleeding, or else your continued blood loss will likely keep you in an anemic state.
Why Do Fibroids Cause Heavy Bleeding?
Heavy bleeding is the most common among all the potential fibroid symptoms.
While there is no one reason that heavy bleeding occurs with fibroids, there are several factors that contribute to this symptom, including:
- Added pressure on the uterus from the fibroids
- Irregular contractions of the uterus
- Blood vessel growth stimulation caused by fibroids that increases the amount and frequency of bleeding and spotting between periods
- Elevated hormone levels
Fibroid Treatment Reduces Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
At Houston Fibroids, we understand the negative impact of heavy bleeding and other fibroid symptoms on your everyday life.
The good news is that our team of experienced physicians and medical professionals offers comprehensive care and state-of-the-art treatment to get rid of fibroids and alleviate heavy bleeding before your next period. Talk to your doctor about whether or not uterine fibroid embolization might be an appropriate treatment for you.
To learn more or schedule a personalized consultation, contact us today.
