Gynecology

Heavy Menstrual Periods in Miami, FL

Menstrual periods can change throughout a woman’s life, but consistently heavy bleeding may signal a problem that can be treated. Many women experience heavy periods, but it is not normal and is something that needs to be discussed with your gynecologist at South Florida Women’s Care.

South Florida Women’s Care provides testing and treatment for heavy periods at our women’s health clinic in Miami, FL. We are conveniently located near Baptist Hospital of Miami and are a short drive from The University of Miami. Call us at (305) 661-7766 or schedule your appointment online today!

What is Considered a Heavy Period?

If a patient experiences any of the following problems, it is recommended that they speak to their gynecologist:

  • Bleeding that last longer than 7 days
  • Soaking through more than one tampon or pad every hour several hours in a row
  • Needing to change a pad or tampon during the night
  • Experiencing large blood clots

Women should seek immediate medical care if they have soaked through their normal tampon or pad in an hour for more than 2 hours, or feel lightheaded.

When Heavy Periods Signal a Problem

A number of things can cause heavy periods, but it can signal a health concern and lead to more serious problems.

A Uterine Growth

Heavy periods can be caused by a growth in the uterus, either a fibroid, which is a noncancerous tumor that develops in the uterine wall, or a polyp, which is a growth made up of endometrium tissue.

Pelvic Conditions

Heavy menstrual bleeding is one a common symptom of a variety of pelvic conditions, including:

  • Adenomyosis- a condition where the inner lining of the uterus breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus.
  • Endometriosis- a condition in which the endometrium grows outside of the uterus on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the intestines.
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome- a hormonal disorder that can cause the ovaries to become enlarged and develop small collections of fluid
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease- an infection of the reproductive organs that can be a complication of some STDs.

Irregular ovulation, an ectopic pregnancy, and endometrial cancer can also result in heavy periods.

Diagnosing the Cause of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Your gynecologist will begin to diagnose the cause of heavy periods by looking for signs of a condition, infection, or abnormal growth. They may also do a pelvic exam, pap test, ultrasound, hysteroscopy, or endometrial biopsy.

Treatment for Heavy Periods in Miami, FL

Your gynecologist will decide the best treatment plan for each individual patient depending on what is causing the heavy periods. Medication, including hormonal birth control, can lighten a woman’s period or even stop bleeding altogether. If medication isn’t successful, there are surgical and non-surgical options to treat the problem that can be discussed with a doctor, including:

Schedule an Appointment for Heavy Period Treatment

If you are suffering from heavy bleeding during your menstrual cycle the highly-trained gynecologist at South Florida Women’s Care can help you get back to normal menstruation. For more information, contact us today at (305) 661-7766. Our OBGYNs can help with the treatment of heavy periods.