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Is the menopause causing heavy periods?
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Heavy periods can be common during the menopause, usually experienced with irregular periods. Fluctuating hormone levels have a knock-on effect on the pattern of menstruation. in this page our menopause expert Eileen Durward discusses the health problems that can be caused by heavy prolonged bleeds, what to look out for and how to ease any pain or discomfort.
In the lead up to the menopause, known as the peri-menopause, many women experience changes to their normal menstrual cycle, including unusually heavy bleeding. This symptom is usually accompanied by irregular periods. A woman may go for several months without a period and then experience particularly heavy bleeding, or may find her periods coming thick and fast.
Aside from the obvious inconvenience of this, heavy bleeding may also lead to further health problems, such as anaemia. This is when there is not a high enough level of iron in the body. This can lead to extreme exhaustion and weakness.
While many women suffer from heavy periods in the lead up to their menopause, it is important to remember that prolonged bleeding should be checked by your doctor. Bleeding for longer than 1 week per month is not healthy.
Your natural menstrual cycle is driven by your hormones. The menopause is the time that your hormone levels fall so that you no longer experience menstrual periods. In the lead up to this cessation, your hormone levels may fluctuate erratically, causing changes to your menstrual cycle, including heavy periods.
During a normal menstrual cycle, the hormone oestrogen is produced to stimulate the thickening of the lining of the womb. When the egg is released from the ovaries, they produce the hormone progesterone.
The interplay of these two hormones means that your periods are regular and not too heavy or light. However, as you approach the menopause, sometimes an egg is not released from the ovaries, although oestrogen is still produced. This means that there is not enough progesterone to balance the effect of oestrogen, leading to heavy periods.
During the menopause, you may encounter other factors which could result in heavy periods, ranging from stress to the side effects of medication. If you suspect that there is an underlying cause to your heavy periods, then it is important to consult a doctor to tackle this.
It is important to remember, that while heavy periods are unpleasant, they are often a normal part of and one of the symptoms of the menopause, which will eventually cease. However, to make this symptom more bearable, there are some home remedies which may help.
Controlling stress could go a long way towards easing your symptom. This is because stress causes changes in your hormone production. During the menopause, further hormone changes are the last thing that you need, as this may trigger heavier periods than normal.
Improving your diet may help as well. Having a diet full of the correct nutrients and vitamins will help your general health and wellbeing, while a diet full of caffeine and refined sugar makes you more susceptible to symptoms such as heavy periods.
It is important to keep your iron levels high if you are experiencing heavy periods, otherwise you could develop anaemia. Iron is found in foods such as dark leafy vegetables and meat. Many women find it necessary to take an iron tonic at this stage of their life.
Heavy periods at the start of the menopausal phase in your life can be treated using the herb Agnus castus which has the ability to stablise your hormones. This is especially so if you also suffer from irregular periods.
Agnus castus is a herb that is best known for treating the symptoms of PMS in younger women, but can also be useful for helping balance the hormones during the early stages of menopause, especially if symptoms such as breast tenderness, bloating or irritability are present.
If you have been experiencing heavy and prolonged periods for some time, and if you are beginning to feel fatigued and weak, it is important to seek the attention of your doctor.
Your doctor will discuss which treatment would be most effective for you. He may suggest a contraceptive pill or HRT which would influence your hormones in order to regulate your periods. However, it is important to be aware of the side effects of these treatments. He may also give you medication to stop flooding quickly, if your periods are very heavy or prolonged.
If you are worried that your heavy periods are caused by an underlying health issue or are resulting in anaemia, then it is also important to visit your doctor. Heavy periods are not something which should be ignored, as loss of blood can be detrimental to health.
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Jackie — 06.05.2021 01:56
landjak17@gmail.com
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Jackie — 06.05.2021 01:56
landjak17@gmail.com
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Aradhyaa — 15.04.2021 15:13
I am 18 years old i have been spotting for a month is this a big issue?
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Emma — 16.04.2021 09:13
Hi Aradhyaa, while this could just be linked to hormones, if this symptoms continues in the same fashion over the next few months, we would say to have a check up with your doctor. Best wishes, Emma
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Vera — 13.04.2021 03:38
I’m 41 yrs old and mine started out as light spotting for a month, so I went to see my doctor for consult and she advised me to
use those mini pills or progestin only pills as i have high blood pressure. In the beginning the pills slows down the bleeding but after three weeks it came back heavy and clotty as in every time i pee there’s blood gushing and clots coming at the same time to the point that i have to wear depends diaper at night so I don’t soak the bed. Is this still normal? By the way i had my blood work done and pelvic ultrasound and they found a small cyst on my ovaries, my doctor said that it is fine but I wonder if the cyst is contributing to the bleeding or why is it not stopping. If this is a sign of early menopausal?
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eileen — 13.04.2021 13:53
Hi Vera
I am very sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, however, I cannot undertake to advise you, given the circumstances. As you are still being treated by your doctor, it is really important that you let them know that the medication they prescribed is no longer helping you and you are becoming concerned about the continual bleeding. They should be able to tell you why this may be happening and offer you an alternative treatment plan.
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Tracy — 25.02.2021 02:53
I am 49 years old and desperately want a baby, but I went 4 months without a cycle and now my period won't stop. It's going on 1 month
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eileen — 25.02.2021 09:27
Hi Tracy
It is important to get this checked out by your doctor. Prolonged periods can quickly cause anaemia and this can result in fatigue, anxiety, hair loss and even joint aches. Your doctor can test for low iron and you may also be able to ask for a hormone test to see if pregnancy is still possible.
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Edwina — 06.10.2020 06:02
Love the conventional medicine section. Apparently all doctors are he. Not sexist in the slightest
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Phaedra — 28.05.2020 02:59
This information is very helpful!
Thank you very much!
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Phaedra — 28.05.2020 02:59
This information is very helpful!
Thank you very much!
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Jackie — 27.09.2017 11:14
Not took a period for few months and now it's came back heavy and also have jelly shaped little blood clots is this normal I've had this period for a nearly a week now is this normal I'm aged 48
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Eileen — 27.09.2017 14:09
Hiya Jackie, Irregular or erratic periods are common on the approach to the menopause, some women report that they can go from heavy to light and stop and start. Periods can come back if you change or improve your diet or exercise regime. However, if they are heavy or you have clotting, it is best to get it checked out by the doctor. It is usually nothing to worry about and just the way the hormones are falling. An iron tonic could be helpful here.
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Jenny — 24.09.2017 10:20
Hi I am 54 and not seen a period for 9 months, then the start of September I seen a period for 5 days then a week later it came again and really heavy, I am losing clots and just feel so drained, I have had long intervals for about 3 years now and the period has been heavy but nothing like this, I hope this will be the last one
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Nora rodriguez — 25.09.2017 12:40
Hi my period stopped for 3 months and returned a month ago verry heavy with clots and dr gave me hormone pills witch stopped it for 10 days but still bleed slightly, after the pills were gone im bleeding more heavly now w vlots finding my self changing 4/6 times at night verry heavly now im bacl to the dr office again i just turned 50 in march 2017
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Jenny — 25.09.2017 12:54
It's a nightmare to be honest. I seen my dr last year when it happened and was offered tablets but I never took them because I think it was a waste of time as they would only slow things down, then she offered me the coil I said no not at my age lol I asked about a hysterectomy and she said no as I wasn't in a lot of pain so how long will this keep going I just want it to end, I really hope things get better for you also, jenny x
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Eileen — 26.09.2017 14:22
Hi Jenny and Nora, If you are bleeding heavy or experience prolonged periods or clots, although it is common at the start of the menopause. It is not good for you if it continues and it can leave you very fatigued. I often suggest an iron tonic to help. Symptoms are different for each woman and can vary due to health, stress, diet and lifestyle. It is difficult to pin point an end time as such. In the case of heavy bleeding it is important to get some sort of treatment even in the short term if you find it affecting the quality of your life. As over the counter medication such as Tranexamic acid to help stop heavy bleeding or the herbal remedy Agnus castus (this can take 2/3 cycles to work) may not be strong enough anyway.
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Tracy — 13.09.2017 22:27
Hi I'm in my menapause I stop my period for 3 months but now came on with really heavy bleeding like nothing Iv had before I have fibroids to is this normal
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eileen — 14.09.2017 09:04
Hi Tracy
This is quite common as your periods start to change but it could also be triggered by the fibroids so it is important to get this checked out by your doctor. This kind of period could also cause low iron so ask your doctor to check for this too.
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Debby — 11.09.2017 07:07
Hi I am 54 and have been having menopausal symptoms for last few years, but last 6 months I have had bleeding on for 10 days then stop for 7 ot 8 then start again but recently last 3 weeks I have had constant bleeding with maybe a few days break here and there. I am overweight and I am terrified of Dr and tend to make myself sick if I have to go
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eileen — 11.09.2017 14:36
Hi Debbie
Prolonged bleeding for some women is quite common on the approach to the menopause. However, it is not good for you and you can become low in iron very quickly. This can then cause other health issues such as fatigue, low mood/anxiety, poor sleep, joint pain etc so it is very important that you go and see your doctor. If there are no other issues such as fibroids they can often offer you some kind of medication to stop the bleeding. If you really don't like going why not ask a female friend or relative to go with you for support. This can often be easily treated so please don't keep putting it off.
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Angie — 31.08.2017 11:56
48 years old. Very heavy bleeding and mild cramping the last 3 days which is uncommon for me. Should I wait a couple of more days before contacting doctor? This is unusual for me, so I am freaked out.
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eileen — 31.08.2017 13:30
Hi Angie
This is very common as you start the approach to the menopause and usually caused by the way your hormones are changing but if you are worried at all the do check with your doctor.
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tracy — 29.08.2017 16:04
can you chew these i have a phobia about swallowing tablets. dont care what they taste like.
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eileen — 30.08.2017 15:05
Hi Tracy
Yes, you can chew or crush the tablets.
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Rebecca — 18.08.2017 18:47
I am 49 years old and have had 2 very heavy periods 3 weeks apart. It lasted 3 weeks and became anemic. Back became very weak, trapped nerves, bulging discs and severe spinal stenosis. Just as I was getting mobile again had another very heavy period and back feels weak and vulnerable. Have seen gp and spinal specialist and had mri, x ray and pelvic scan. Have two small cysts but apparently nothing to worry about. Want to feel strong and healthy again.
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eileen — 22.08.2017 09:53
Hi Rebecca
If you are still getting the heavy bleeding it is important to go back to your doctor and ask them to investigate further. Although heavy/frequent periods are quite common on the approach to the menopause, as you have found, they are not good for you so this does need fixing. Your doctor may be able to give you a non hormonal medication to stop the bleeding. Did they prescribe an iron supplement? If not the taking a gentle iron tonic such as Floradix or Feroglobin would be a good idea and may give you a nice little boost.
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Sally — 08.08.2017 16:25
I am 45 1 month I will have a period light then another not at all this month I've been bleeding on and of since 25 August could it be the menopause
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eileen — 09.08.2017 08:55
Hi Sally
Changing periods are often one of the first signs that you are approaching the menopause. Periods at this point can vary between heavy and light, on time, late, early, missing, long or short, close together or further apart and in any combination!
Although this is usually nothing to worry about and is just the way your own hormones are falling it is best to get this checked out by your doctor. Bleeding on and off could cause low iron which is not good for you and can trigger other health issues such as fatigue, anxiety etc.
However, your symptoms could be due to other factors such as stress, low iron levels or low thyroid function, so it is best to get this checked by your doctor. They may also be able to test your sex hormone levels and that would give you a good idea as to what is happening.
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Shelly Martin — 29.03.2021 19:01
I am 48 years old and have been in perimenopause for 7 years. I didn't have a period in December, January and February. I started heavy bleeding end of February and it has continued. My dr gave me 400mg of Prometrium to take at night. It has finally started to slow down some. My dr said that this is common having missed my period for 3 months. Could I be very close to menopause?
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Maria — 29.07.2017 11:34
I am 52 and going thru perimenopause goinh on 34 days of having my period very heavy and with clots. Why is this and is it normal?
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eileen — 31.07.2017 09:50
Hi Maria
Although this can happen in the run up to the menopause and is often caused by the particular way your hormones are changing, it is really important to get this checked out by your doctor asap. Prolonged periods can quickly cause low iron which in turn can trigger fatigue, low mood/anxiety, poor sleep, joint pain etc. Your doctor may be able to give you some medication to stop the bleeding and also check your iron levels.
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Maria — 31.07.2017 20:34
I am already anemic to begin with and suffer from RA also. But I will definitely call ger to see what she says. Thanks for the reply.
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Tina — 24.07.2017 21:46
I am 49 periods not regular last one in february very heavy lasted for 2 weeks lots of spotting inbetween months just started again very heavy and clotty
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Tina — 24.07.2017 12:44
I am 49 periods not regular last one in february very heavy lasted for 2 weeks lots of spotting inbetween months just started again very heavy and clotty
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eileen — 25.07.2017 08:43
Hi Tina
This is quite a common scenario as you approach the menopause - missing periods then getting heavy or prolonged ones for a while. However, this heavy bleeding is not good for you and can cause anaemia so it is best to get it checked out by your doctor. They may be able to give you a non hormonal medication to stop the bleeding.
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Rachel — 20.07.2017 23:53
I missed a period for two months now started in 14 July it stopped today now started again why won't it stop
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eileen — 21.07.2017 10:12
Hi Rachel
It is really important that you go back to your doctor about this and get it checked out. If you feel that your doctor is not helpful then I would suggest that you take someone else as support and ask them to write down everything the doctor says, that usually gets a better result!
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Sara — 20.07.2017 18:39
Hi , I'm 42 and at the age of 36 had my first heavy hemorrhaging period. Since then I've had it reoccurring an average of a couple times a year. My doctor wasn't concerned as long as it wasn't happening more often. Now recently I had my regular Pap test and she took a blood sample . Found out I'm slightly anemic so I began iron pills. However at present I've been bleeding for almost a month . It began as spotting and about ten days early for my period then gradually increased to moderate/heavy. I went back to my Doctor who checked my blood again , do another internal and made sure I wasn't pregnant as well. She gave me the option of oral birth control, mirina, uterine ablation. None of which appeal to me. She said we could wait a bit longer and see what happens and to call yesterday . She hasn't returned my call and I'm getting very worried as there is no sign of slowing down . Any advice ? Thanks in advance .
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eileen — 21.07.2017 10:12
Hi Sara
It is really important that you get in touch with your doctor about this, they can often prescribe a non-hormonal medication such as Tranexamic Acid to stop the bleeding. However, if you can't get something done straight away then I would suggest going to your local A&E. You would probably get this investigated much quicker doing it this way! Just remember that if you were bleeding for this long from any where else in your body you would get seen straight away and this kind of vaginal bleeding shouldn't be treated any differently!! Do let me know how you get on.
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Patsy — 19.07.2017 11:18
52 no period march and april half of may then started spotting the latter part of may daily continued spotting june and spotting is getting more like light period latter part of july is this normal?
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Patsy — 19.07.2017 10:52
52 no period march and april half of may then started spotting the latter part of may daily continued spotting june and spotting is getting more like light period latter part of july is this normal?
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eileen — 19.07.2017 13:36
Hi Patsy
Although this is quite common as you approach the menopause it is not good for you and can cause low iron so it is best to get it checked out by your doctor.
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Sandra — 29.06.2017 06:30
I have been taking hrt for around 2 years as dr said i was on the change but the last 3 months i have had a normal period with alot of pain and clotting i went to drs and she said as long as i dont bleed while taking the middle lot of hrt it is ok to have a period towards the end of my tablets as i go to the orange colour pills what is your expert opinion on this please. Sarn.
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eileen — 29.06.2017 13:03
Hi Sarn
Just to let you know I have answered you privately.
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Sandra — 29.06.2017 15:28
I am 47 and have had 3 painfull periods since being on hrt but have always had painfull periods apart from 9 years ago when i was on depo they stopped completely
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eileen — 30.06.2017 07:26
Hi Sandra
HRT can sometimes trigger periods but this usually happens when you first start to take it. If you have been on the HRT a while it is best to see your doctor.
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