Heavy or irregular periods: when to get checked

What is 'too heavy'?

• Changing a pad every one to two hours
• Passing large clots
• Bleeding for more than seven days
• Feeling tired or dizzy during your period

Common causes

Fibroids, polyps, hormonal changes (for example around puberty or menopause, or with polycystic ovary syndrome), thyroid problems, some contraceptives and, less often, precancer or cancer of the womb.

What we will do

We will ask about your periods, examine you and usually do a pregnancy test, a blood count and a pelvic ultrasound. Sometimes a small sample of the womb lining is taken.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the cause and whether you want children in future. Options include tablets that reduce bleeding, hormonal treatment, a hormonal IUD, treatment of anemia, and — only when needed — surgery.

Bleeding after menopause

Any bleeding more than a year after your last period should be checked promptly.