What Causes Heavy Bleeding During My Period?

Have you ever wondered “Why do I have heavy bleeding during my period?" Many women do, including NBC correspondent Zinhle Essamuah, who recently shared, “I’ve complained of intensifying period symptoms since my period began at the young age of 9.” Yet it took years for her to seek answers to her questions, “after repeatedly complaining of heavy bleeding, I got an ultrasound, which revealed fibroids.” And, even after her diagnosis, that loss of blood sent her to ER before she sought more fibroid solutions.

How can you tell when you need to address heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding, also known as menorrhagia? Menstrual flow may be problematic if you soak through a pad or tampon every hour, or need to double up on menstrual protection to avoid leaking. And how can you figure out why you're experiencing this concern? Keep reading to find out.

Heavy Bleeding During Periods: Possible Causes

Women such as Essamuah, who are living with uterine fibroids, are more likely to experience heavy bleeding during periods. But what are fibroids? These are non-cancerous uterine tumors that cause menstrual cycle changes as well as additional symptoms such as challenges with conception and pregnancy.

As it turns out, fibroids are responsible for about 10% of cases of heavy bleeding during periods. And that's just in the general population: statistics will be higher among Black women, who are 33% more likely to develop fibroids and 39% more likely to experience heavy periods, possibly because:

1. 4 out of 5 black women are either overweight or obese, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. And extra weight raises estrogen levels, in turn increasing fibroid risk.
   
2. Women of color struggle to absorb vitamin D due to higher melanin levels in the skin, again increasing fibroid risk.
   
3. Hair products marketed to Black women contain toxic chemicals that are now linked to fibroid growth.
   

Other Causes of Heavy Bleeding During My Period

While heavy bleeding during my period could be caused by fibroids, it could also be the result of:

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS, a condition linked to irregular and infrequent periods, is secondary to a hormonal imbalance and could be caused by genetic and environmental factors, with links to increased androgens, insulin resistance and obesity.

Endometriosis

Women with endometriosis experience the growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus. As such, they experience heavy bleeding with periods since all the extra tissue must be shed in addition to the endometrial tissue in the uterus.

Birth Control Issues

If you have a non-hormonal IUD (intrauterine device) implanted in your uterus you may experience abnormally heavy bleeding during periods.

Seeking Fibroid Care in Dallas

If fibroids are the cause of your heavy menstrual cycle, our experts in Dallas are here to help. Simply request a consultation with our fibroid specialists, and we can discuss minimally invasive treatment options such as Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE).