Symptoms » Heavy periods

Heavy periods

Heavy periods: Introduction

Heavy menstrual bleeding is called menorrhagia when it follows normal cycles and can have various underlying causes. Common causes include uterine polyps and uterine fibroids but there are many possibilities. One of the lesser known but surprisingly common causes of chronic menorrhagia is Von Willebrand's disease, a congenital bleeding disorder. Undiagnosed cases of VWD are sometimes wrongly treated by hysterectomy to resolve their menorrhagia symptoms. Any symptom of excessive menstrual bleeding needs prompt professional medical investigation....more »

» Review Causes of Heavy periods: Causes | Symptom Checker » | Assessment Questionnaire »

Causes of Heavy periods:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Heavy periods. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

• Excessive dieting
• Excessive exercise (see Exercise symptoms)
• Miscarriage
• Pelvic infections
• Infected IUD
• Endometriosis
• Uterine polyps (type of Uterus conditions)
• Fibroids
• Thyroid disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperthryroidism
• Clotting disorders
• Bleeding disorders - see other causes of bleeding
  • Von Willebrand's disease - a commonly overlooked cause of heavy periods or excessive bleeding.
  • Any condition that causes bleeding - see causes of bleeding symptoms or bruising easily
• Dysfunctional bleeding - vaginal bleeding of unclear causes.
• Cervix cancer
• Uterine cancer
• more causes...»

See full list of 78 causes of Heavy periods

» Review Causes of Heavy periods: Causes | Symptom Checker » | Assessment Questionnaire »

Home Diagnostic Testing and Heavy periods

Home medical tests possibly related to Heavy periods:

• Pregnancy -- Related Home Testing:
  • Home Pregnancy Tests
  • Home Early Pregnancy Tests
• more home tests...»

Causes of Types of Heavy periods:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Heavy periods:

• Excessive menstrual bleeding (31 causes)
• Heavy menstruation (23 causes)
• more types...»

See full list of 10 types for Heavy periods

Heavy periods: Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Heavy periods, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Symptom Checker

• Heavy periods: Symptom Checker

Symptom Checker

• Heavy periods and Bleeding symptoms (93 causes)
• Heavy periods and Genital symptoms (88 causes)
• Heavy periods and Women's health symptoms (88 causes)
• Heavy periods and Lower abdominal symptoms (87 causes)
• Heavy periods and Female genital symptoms (86 causes)
• Heavy periods and Vaginal symptoms (85 causes)
• Heavy periods and Menstrual irregularities (84 causes)
• Heavy periods and Uterus symptoms (84 causes)
• Heavy periods and Skin symptoms (80 causes)
• Heavy periods and Head symptoms (77 causes)
• Heavy periods and Female sexual symptoms (73 causes)
• Heavy periods and Abdominal symptoms (70 causes)
• Heavy periods and Nerve symptoms (66 causes)
• Heavy periods and Face symptoms (64 causes)
• Heavy periods and Sensory symptoms (62 causes)
• Heavy periods and Skin color changes (61 causes)
• Heavy periods and Digestive symptoms (60 causes)
• more...»

See full list of 501 Symptom Checkers for Heavy periods

Heavy periods Treatments

Review further information on Heavy periods Treatments.

Stories from Users for Heavy periods

Real-life user stories relating to Heavy periods:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding; continuous bleeding PLEASE HELP !
• Heaviness and loss of balance?
• Heavy-headedness
• Heavy Periods distrupting life
• heavy period, then super-light?
• Heavy Periods
• Heavy period for four months straight!
• Frequent and heavy nosebleeds.
• please help, heavy spotting between periods
• Help very heavy painful periods
• heavy-headedness
• Prolonged Heavy Periods, White Tongue, Joint Pain
• extreamly heavy menses
• Heavy Periods
• menorrhagia and inflamation
• Heavy-Headedness

Message Boards for Heavy periods

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Heavy periods or relevant symptoms:

• Neurological (Nerves) (771)
  • Strange Deja Vu, followed by nausea, dizziness and confusion
  • Numbness and tingling all over
  • Could this be MS?
  • Tingling/numbness in arms/hands/legs/face/head [more symptoms]
  • Eye twitch
  • More user stories
• Endocrine (Growth and Metabolism) (201)
  • Fatigue after exercise, for days
  • Symptoms of Cushing's - Tests all negative
  • Has anyone been diagnosed with Wilson's Temperature Syndrome and are being treated??
  • I think I have Cushings, can you help?
  • I am at my wits end with these symptoms
  • More user stories
• Sexual/Reproductive/Gynecological (1010)
  • Tingling at the end of penis
  • Bleeding during sex, help!
  • Red dots on penis
  • 17, and i want a baby.
  • Prostatitis- Help me please
  • More user stories
• Hematologic/Lymphatic (Blood and Lymph) (214)
  • High platelet count
  • Extreme neck pain, swollen lymph node -help
  • Swollen lymph nodes in groin
  • Swollen Lymph Node for 2 1/2 months
  • Nipple Discharge
  • More user stories

Diagnostic tests for Heavy periods:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Heavy periods. Some of these are listed below :

• Physical examination
  • Examine for signs of bleeding disorder - e.g. widespread bruising, swollen joints, bleeding gums.
  • Speculum examination looking for cervicitis, cervical "erosion", cervical cancer, cervical polyps
  • Bimanual pelvic examination to feel for signs of fibroids, pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy
• Blood tests
• more tests...»

See full list of 24 diagnostic tests for Heavy periods

Medications or substances causing Heavy periods:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Heavy periods as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Etonogestrel
• Implanon
• more causes...»

See full list of 2 medications causing Heavy periods

Heavy periods: Comorbid Symptoms

Some of the comorbid or associated medical symptoms for Heavy periods may include these symptoms:

• Bleeding symptoms
• Genital symptoms
• Women's health symptoms
• Lower abdominal symptoms
• Female genital symptoms
• Vaginal symptoms
• more associated symptoms...»

See all associated comorbid symptoms for Heavy periods

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Menstrual irregularities (559 causes)
• Female sexual symptoms (505 causes)
• Menstrual symptoms (559 causes)
• Uterus symptoms (429 causes)
• Lower abdominal symptoms (3048 causes)
• Women's health symptoms (1177 causes)
• Vagina symptoms (443 causes)
• Female genital symptoms (529 causes)
• Genital symptoms (986 causes)
• Bleeding symptoms (1783 causes)
• Digestive symptoms (5299 causes)
• Abdominal symptoms (5930 causes)
• Pregnancy symptoms (699 causes)
• Sexual symptoms (1838 causes)
• Intercourse symptoms (258 causes)
• Female reproductive symptoms (928 causes)
• Mens health symptoms (291 causes)
• more symptoms...»

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Heavy periods

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Heavy periods:

• Amenorrhea (287 causes)
• Dysmenorrhea (54 causes)
• Vaginal bleeding (147 causes)
• Light periods (10 causes)
• Menorrhagia (81 causes)
• Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
• DUB
• Menometrorrhagia (6 causes)
• Hysterectomy
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• more symptoms...»

Assessment Questionnaire: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques to assess the symptom: Heavy periods. These will include a physical examination and possibly diagnostic tests. (Note: A physical exam is always done, diagnostic tests may or may not be performed depending on the suspected condition) Your doctor will ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to openly share any pertinent information to help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.

It is also very important to bring an up-to-date list of all of your all medical conditions, medications including dosages, and names of numbers of any specialist you see.

Create your printable checklist here.

See Heavy periods Assessment Questionnaire (24 listings)

Heavy periods: Deaths

Read more about causes and Heavy periods deaths.

Misdiagnosis and Heavy periods

Unnecessary hysterectomies due to undiagnosed bleeding disorder in women: The bleeding disorder called Von Willebrand's disease is quite...read more »

Rare type of breast cancer without a lump: There is a less common form of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer. Its symptoms can be an inflammation of the breast...read more »

Female athlete syndrome leads to undiagnosed osteoporosis: Younger women are not usually considered as candidates for diagnosis of osteoporosis. However, a...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Heavy periods

Heavy periods: Research Related Doctors & Specialists

• Pregnancy & Fertility Health Specialists:
  • Maternal & Fetal Medicine
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
  • Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
• Womens Health Specialists:
  • Gynecological Oncology
• more specialists...»

Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:

• Rate Your Doctor by Taking a Survey Online
• Research Your Doctor
• View Online Patient Surveys from Other Patients of Your Doctor
• Research local doctors and specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Hospitals & Clinics: Heavy periods

Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Heavy periods:

• Womens Health -- Hospital Quality Ratings
• more quality ratings...»

Research Hospital & Clinic Quality Ratings »

Heavy periods: Related Rare Diseases

Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:

• Women's Reproductive Health -- rare types of diseases:
  • Overactive Bladder Syndrome -- Rare Types
  • PCOS -- Rare Types
  • Chlamydia -- Rare Types
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease -- Rare Types
  • Cervical Cancer -- Rare Types
  • Breast Cancer -- Rare Types
  • Ovarian Cancer -- Rare Types
  • Von Willebrand Disease -- Rare Types
  • more ...»
• more rare diseases...»

Heavy periods: Undiagnosed Conditions

Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:

• Women's Reproductive Health: diseases that are commonly undiagnosed:
  • Overactive Bladder Syndrome -- Undiagnosed
  • PCOS -- Undiagnosed
  • Chlamydia -- Undiagnosed
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Cervical Cancer -- Undiagnosed
  • Breast Cancer -- Undiagnosed
  • Ovarian Cancer -- Undiagnosed
  • Von Willebrand Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • more ...»
• more undiagnosed conditions...»

Organs affected by Heavy periods:

The list of organs typically affected by Heavy periods may include, but is not limited to:

• Uterus

Detailed list of causes of Heavy periods

The list below shows some of the causes of Heavy periods mentioned in various sources:

• Adenomyosis - excessive menstrual bleeding
• Alcoholism - heavy menstrual flow
• Alport syndrome with leukocyte inclusions and macrothrombocytopenia - excessive menstrual bleeding
• Any condition that causes bleeding - see causes of bleeding symptoms or bruising easily
• Autoimmune thyroid diseases - increased menstrual flow
• Bernard-Soulier Syndrome - heavy menstrual flow
• more causes...»

See full list of 78 causes of Heavy periods

How Common are these Causes of Heavy periods?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Heavy periods. Of the 78 causes of Heavy periods that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

• 6 causes are "very common" diseases
• 5 causes are "common" diseases
• 0 causes are "uncommon" diseases
• 0 causes are "rare" diseases
• 2 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 72 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 78 causes of Heavy periods

Conditions listing medical symptoms: Heavy periods:

The following list of conditions have 'Heavy periods' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Heavy periods or choose View All.

A

• Adenomyosis ... excessive menstrual bleeding, longer periods, heavy periods
• Alcoholism ... heavy menstrual flow
• Alport syndrome with leukocyte inclusions and macrothrombocytopenia ... excessive menstrual bleeding
• Autoimmune thyroid diseases ... increased menstrual flow

B

• Bernard-Soulier Syndrome ... heavy menstrual flow
• Birth control pill poisoning ... excessive menstrual bleeding
• Bleeding disorders ... Heavy menstrual bleeding

C

• Chronic Kidney Disease ... heavy periods

D

• Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding ... vaginal bleeding longer than normal periods

E

• Endometrial hyperplasia ... extended menstruation, heavy menstruation
• Endometriosis ... heavy periods
• Epstein's Syndrome ... excessive menstrual bleeding
• Essential thrombocytosis -- same as essential thrombocythemia ... excessive menstrual bleeding

F

• Factor V deficiency ... excessive menstrual bleeding
• Factor VII deficiency ... excessive menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- autosomal dominant ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Friuli ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Kanazawa ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Ketchikan ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Nottingham ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Padua ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- San Antonio ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Santo Domingo ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Shanghai ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- St. Louis II ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Stockton ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Taunton ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Tokyo ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Vorarlberg ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Wenatchee I ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Factor X deficiency -- Wenatchee II ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Fechtner syndrome ... excessive menstrual bleeding

H

• Hashimoto's Thyroiditis ... increased menstrual flow, excessive menstrual bleeding
• Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer ... heavy menstruation
• Hypothyroidism ... increased menstrual flow

M

• May-Hegglin Anomaly ... excessive menstrual bleeding
• May-Hegglin thrombocytopenia ... excessive menstrual bleeding
• Menopause ... heavier periods
• Menorrhagia ... excessive menstrual bleeding, heavy periods
• Menstrual conditions ... Heavy periods

O

• Owren Parahemophilia ... excessive menstrual bleeding

P

• Pancytopenia ... excessive menstrual bleeding
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ... heavy periods
• Perimenopause ... heavier periods
• Plasminogen activitor inhibitor type 1 deficiency, congenital ... excessive menstrual bleeding

R

• Riedel syndrome ... excessive menstrual bleeding

S

• Salpingitis ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Stuart factor deficiency, acquired ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Stuart factor deficiency, congenital ... heavy menstrual bleeding

T

• Thrombasthenia ... excessive menstrual bleeding, abnormally heavy or long menstrual periods
• Thrombocytopathy ... excessive menstrual bleeding
• Thyroid disorders ... increased menstrual flow

U

• Uterine fibroids ... excessive menstrual bleeding

V

• Von Willebrand disease ... excessive menstrual bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding
• Von Willebrand disease, platelet type ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Von Willebrand disease, type 1 ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Von Willebrand disease, type 2 ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Von Willebrand disease, type 2A ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Von Willebrand disease, type 2B ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Von Willebrand disease, type 2M ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Von Willebrand disease, type 2N ... heavy menstrual bleeding
• Von Willebrand disease, type 3 ... heavy menstrual bleeding

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Causes of Heavy periods Based on Risk Factors

This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Heavy periods based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:

Travel - has the patient travelled recently?

Diabetes - history of diabetes or family history of diabetes?

Doctors and specialists: Who should I consult about Heavy periods?

Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Heavy periods, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.

Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :

• General practitioner
• Emergency physician
• Obstetrician gynaecologist
• Endocrinologist
• more specialists...»

Classifications of Heavy periods:

Subtypes of Heavy periods:

Excessive menstrual bleeding (31 causes), Heavy menstruation (23 causes)

Medical Conditions associated with Heavy periods:

Menstrual irregularities (559 causes), Female sexual symptoms (505 causes), Menstrual symptoms (559 causes), Uterus symptoms (429 causes), Lower abdominal symptoms (3048 causes), Women's health symptoms (1177 causes), Vagina symptoms (443 causes), Female genital symptoms (529 causes), Genital symptoms (986 causes), Bleeding symptoms (1783 causes), Digestive symptoms (5299 causes), Abdominal symptoms (5930 causes), Pregnancy symptoms (699 causes), Sexual symptoms (1838 causes), Intercourse symptoms (258 causes), Female reproductive symptoms (928 causes), Mens health symptoms (291 causes)

Symptoms related to Heavy periods:

Amenorrhea (287 causes), Dysmenorrhea (54 causes), Vaginal bleeding (147 causes), Light periods (10 causes), Menorrhagia (81 causes), Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, DUB, Menometrorrhagia (6 causes), Hysterectomy, Uterine fibroids, Endometriosis

Medical articles on signs and symptoms:

Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:

• What to tell your doctor about your symptoms
• What questions will the doctor ask about your symptoms (and why)?
• What does your doctor do in a physical examination?
• What questions should you ask the doctor about a symptom or diagnosis?
• What questions to ask the doctor about the treatment
• Steps to take to get the most out of a doctor visit
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These general medical articles may be of interest:

• Medical Symptom Books
• Symptoms of the Silent Killer Diseases
• Online Diagnosis
• Self Diagnosis Pitfalls
• Pitfalls of Online Diagnosis

See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

Medical News summaries about Heavy periods

Our news pages contain the following medical news summaries about Heavy periods and many other medical conditions:

• Increasing awareness of cancer symptoms by doctors and patients may improve diagnosis
• New device allows rapid testing for hypothyroidism
• New surgery treats fibroids effectively without invasive surgery
• Simple treatments exist for menorrhagia
• Treatment options are available for excessive menstrual bleeding

Evidence Based Medicine Research for Heavy periods

Medical research papers related to Heavy periods include:

• A 41-year-old woman with menorrhagia, anemia, and fibroids: review of treatment of uterine fibroids.
• In a 48 year old woman with vast fibroids who is using the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS, Mirena) for heavy menstrual bleeding and now has copious serous discharge with negative swabs, what might help reduce the discharge?
• Cyclical progestogens for heavy menstrual bleeding
• Is tranexamic acid better than or as effective as mefenamic acid in managing menorrhagia?
• Menorrhagia
• Does anaemia cause menorrhagia?
• Can cyclical progesterones given for menorrhagia (norethisterone 15mg daily, provera) compromise fertility in those trying for conception
• Is there any evidence concerning expulsion rates of intrauterine contraception if it is inserted on days of heavy menstrual bleeding versus days of lighter menstrual bleeding?

Research More Evidence-Based Medicine at TripDatabase.com

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