If you’re plagued with irregular, heavy periods that drain you of all your energy or cause you to keel over in pain, and you find it much harder to manage your menses that your girlfriends, you probably suffer from menorrhagia, or abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding.
Heavy menstrual flow affects about one in 10 women, according to an American study done in 2015.
Here are seven reasons why you periods can sometimes be heavier than usual:
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Different types of birth control methods (the combination pill, the mini pill or the patch) release differing amounts of hormones from each other that can affect your body and alter the amount of menstrual fluid released.
So, if you’re switching between birth control methods and notice a change in your menstrual flow, don’t panic too much.
It’s a known fact that birth control alters the amount of menstrual fluid that’s created.
Birth control pills or patches contain synthetic hormones that alter the hormones in your body to prevent ovulation from happening.
If you’re on anticoagulant medications and happen to have your period too, it’s likely that your period will be heavier.
This is because anticoagulants prevent blood clots from forming so your flow feels heavier.
If you’re not sure of which medication contains anticoagulants, be sure to look them up individually online.
Polycytic ovary syndrome happens when many small cysts grow over your ovaries and inhibits your uterus’ regular function.
If you suspect you have this, make an appointment with your doctor and be sure to get it checked out.
We know fibroids always sound scary but don’t panic!
Fibroids tend to happen when there’s an abnormally high amount of estrogen levels in your body. Most of the time, these fibroids will come and go as your body adjusts its hormone levels but if you’re worried, be sure to get it checked out.
Your doctor might just advice you to switch birth control methods too.
This occurs more in middle-aged women who have children.
Adenomyosis occurs when the uterus enlarges and the lining is somehow able to migrate itself towards the mascular wall, cause painful cramps and heavier bleeding.