Painful Periods and Heavy Bleeding
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UT Southwestern specialists have extensive experience in diagnosing the causes of irregular menstrual bleeding. For women who experience heavy bleeding and painful periods, our specially trained gynecologists can determine if there is a cause for concern.
Expert Management for Painful Periods and Heavy Bleeding
For most women, menstrual cycles occur about every 28 days, and periods last four to seven days. Abnormal menstruation includes problems such as heavy bleeding, known as menorrhagia, irregular menstrual bleeding, and pain during periods, known as dysmenorrhea.
UT Southwestern gynecologic surgeons, specialists, and their teams are nationally recognized for their expertise in women’s health care. We participate in research to improve diagnosis, management, and treatment for heavy, irregular, painful periods. Our specialists are also faculty members, dedicated to educating future women’s health doctors and other care providers.
Causes of Painful Periods and Heavy Bleeding
Some common reasons for irregular, heavy, and painful periods include:
- Adenomyosis: Endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, begins to grow into the muscle wall of the uterus
- Bleeding disorders: Certain inherited bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand’s disease, which prevents blood from clotting properly, can cause abnormal bleeding
- Cancer: Cervical cancer and uterine cancer can cause heavy menstrual bleeding
- Endometriosis: Endometrial-like tissue grows on the outside of the uterus or on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other nearby organs
- Medications: Certain anticoagulants (blood thinners), anti-inflammatory medications, or hormonal medications can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a hormonal disorder that can cause small cysts, or fluid-filled sacs, to develop in the ovaries, causing irregular periods
- Pregnancy complications: A miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy can cause heavy bleeding
- Premature ovarian failure: This condition occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop working before age 40, leading to irregular periods and possible infertility
- Uterine fibroids: Noncancerous tumors made up of thick muscle tissue can grow in the walls or lining inside the uterus or on the outside of the uterus
- Uterine polyps: Overgrowth of endometrial tissue can form growths called polyps inside the uterus
Symptoms of Painful Periods and Heavy Bleeding
Signs and symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding include:
- Bleeding for more than seven days
- Bleeding that soaks through one or more tampons or pads every hour for several hours in a row
- Need to use multiple pads to control menstrual flow
- Need to change pads or tampons during the night
- Menstrual flow with blood clots larger than a quarter
- Flooding of clothing and bedsheets with menstrual bleeding
- Symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue and shortness of breath
Symptoms of menstrual pain include:
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Lower back pain
- Nausea
- Pain that starts a few days before the period, worsens during the period, and lasts two to three days after the period ends
- Throbbing or cramping pain in the lower abdomen that can be intense
- Lower back pain during menses
Patients should see their doctors if:
- Their periods stop for more than 60 days
- Their periods become erratic
- Their periods are less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart
- They bleed between periods
- They suddenly get a fever and feel sick after using tampons
Diagnosis of Painful Periods and Heavy Bleeding
UT Southwestern’s experienced gynecologists conduct a thorough evaluation, which includes a:
- Physical exam
- Review of personal medical history, including details of the patient’s menstrual cycle
- Discussion of symptoms
Patients should bring information about the dates and lengths of their last several periods. For sexually active patients, a pelvic exam will be performed to check for infections and to examine the cervix.
To diagnose heavy bleeding and painful periods, our doctors usually recommend one or more tests, such as:
- Blood tests to look for signs of iron deficiency, thyroid disorders, or blood-clotting abnormalities
- Endometrial biopsy: A test that samples a small amount of endometrial tissue for examination under a microscope
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans: Equipment that uses a large magnet and radio waves to produce detailed images of pelvic organs
- Pap smear: Sample of cells from the cervix to examine under a microscope for infection or changes that can lead to cancer or already are cancerous
- Ultrasound: Apparatus that uses sound waves to produce images of the pelvic organs to look for any abnormalities
Based on the results of these tests, we might recommend further testing, such as:
- Hysteroscopy: Examination of the inside of the uterus using a hysteroscope, a slender, lighted device inserted through the vagina and cervix
- Sonohysterography: Test that involves injecting fluid into the uterus via a thin tube through the vagina and cervix and then taking ultrasound images of the uterus
Treatment for Painful Periods and Heavy Bleeding
Painful Periods
If the painful periods are not relieved with over-the-counter medications or start to interfere with daily activities, our physicians might be able to offer relief.
Our doctors might recommend:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) don’t relieve symptoms, prescription NSAIDs might be prescribed.
- Hormonal birth control. Birth control prescriptions contain hormones that can help regulate hormone levels throughout the month and reduce the severity of menstrual cramps. In addition to pills, these hormones also can be delivered by an injection, a patch, an implant placed under the skin of the arm, or a flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina. Another good option, even in teens, is an intrauterine device (IUD) that contains a hormone called progesterone. These methods can be very effective in managing symptoms, even if patients are not sexually active.
- Surgery. If painful periods are caused by endometriosis or fibroids, surgical removal of the abnormal tissue can help reduce the symptoms.
Heavy Bleeding
Our treatment for heavy bleeding is based on the amount of bleeding. Many approaches involve hormone therapy and other nonhormonal medical therapies. If there is a reason estrogen should not be prescribed, an oral progestin might be recommended. Over-the-counter treatments such as ibuprofen can help decrease the amount of bleeding and pain, as well.
Clinical Trials
As one of the nation’s top academic medical centers, UT Southwestern offers a number of clinical trials aimed at improving screening, diagnosis, and treatment of painful periods and heavy bleeding.
Clinical trials often give patients access to leading-edge treatments that are not yet widely available. Eligible patients who choose to participate in one of UT Southwestern’s clinical trials might receive treatments years before they are available to the public.
Related Conditions and Treatments
- Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine
- Cervical Cancer
- Endometrial Ablation
- Endometriosis
- Gynecologic Cancer
- Gynecologic Laparoscopy
- Gynecologic Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Gynecologic Robotic Surgery
- Gynecology
- Hysterectomy
- Myomectomy
- Obstetrics/Gynecology
- Pediatric-Adolescent Gynecology
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Uterine Fibroids
- Uterine Polyps
- Women’s Health
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