Heavy / Painful Periods

on this page :- Understanding Heavy Periods, Painful Periods

UNDERSTANDING HEAVY PERIODS

WHAT ARE HEAVY PERIODS?

The womb (uterus) forms part of the female reproductive system. The inside lining of the womb is called the endometrium. Each month this lining thickens because of female hormones in your body. If a pregnancy occurs, the baby (embryo) is able to implant into the thickened endometrium which then produces nutrients to help it grow and develop. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining is no longer required and is shed. this is known as a “period” (menstruation) and usually lasts for about 5 days occurring in most women every 4 weeks or so.

Heavy periods are known as menorrhagia and this term describes periods which are heavy and/or prolonged. It is rather difficult to judge yourself whether your periods are normal or heavy.

Some women believe or worry that their periods are very heavy. If you feel like this, or think your periods have become heavier recently, then you need to talk to your GP. Heavy periods are not unusually, especially in young girls when they first begin having periods, or in women approaching the menopause.

It is possible to treat heavy periods and your doctor can offer you advice.

ARE HEAVY PERIODS COMMON?

They are quite common and about 1 in 5 women will see their doctor because they are concerned that they have heavy periods. Heavy periods tend to occur more commonly in women aged between 40-50 years

WHAT CAUSES HEAVY PERIODS?

Heavy periods (menorrhagia) may be due to a number of different medical conditions which affect your reproductive system. In most women with heavy periods, however, there appears to be no apparent medical reason for their condition. In these women, heavy periods are called dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

You may find that you have to buy a larger size of sanitary towel or tampon and that you are using more of them. You may have noticed that you are passing blood clots or flooding with sudden heavy loss which soaks your underwear or soils your bedding at night.

Continual heavy blood loss can lead to anaemia which means that you may feel more tired than usual, or have low energy levels.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I HAVE HEAVY PERIODS?

If you have any of the symptoms described you should see your doctor. It is important that you obtain help and advise on how to relieve your symptoms, especially if they are stopping you carrying on with your normal daily activities.

PAINFUL PERIODS

WHAT ARE PAINFUL PERIODS?

The womb (uterus) forms part of the female reproductive system. The inside lining of the womb is called the endometrium. Each month this lining thickens because of female hormones in your body. If a pregnancy occurs, the baby (embryo) is able to implant into the thickened endometrium which then produces nutrients to help it grow and develop. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining is no longer required and is shed. this is known as a “period” (menstruation) and usually lasts for about 5 days occurring in most women every 4 weeks or so.

Some women find that their periods are painful. The pain usually starts within about two years of their first period. Painful periods are also know by the term dysmenorrhoea.

Primary dymenorrhoea is the term given to painful periods where there does not appear to be an obvious cause of the problem. It usually starts in your mid-teens and may last until your mid-twenties. The pain may start just before your period comes and lasts for a day or two.

Painful periods tend to improve as you get older, or usually stops being painful after you have had children.

Secondary dysmenorrhoea are painful periods due to another medical condition and are usually seen for the first time in older women. The pain may start just before your period is due and continues throughout. There may be other problems too such as painful sex or heavy periods.

ARE PAINFUL PERIODS COMMON?

As many as 3 out of every 4 women complain of painful periods at some time in their lives. For most women the pain is mild and does not interfere with their daily lives. For every 6 women who have periods, one will have pain which is severe or seriously affects their daily lives.

WHAT CAUSES PAINFUL PERIODS?

Normally muscle walls of the womb contract during the period because a chemical substance they produce called prostaglandin. In some women who have painful periods too much prostaglandin is produced which causes the contractions of the womb to become extreme. This leads to pain which occurs just before the period is due and continues for 2-3 days after it starts.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

One to two days before the period starts, you may experience a “dragging”, dull aching feeling low down in your abdomen, which may go down the inner thighs and round your back. You may have an unpleasant crampy pain during your period which comes in waves or spasms and usually lasts for a few hours. This is sometimes described as “colicky” and tends to start in the middle of the abdomen or sometimes in the thighs.

Most women find the pain varies from month to month and certain periods are more painful than others. Some women may feel or even be sick. Cramps tend to be more common in teenage girls and young women.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I HAVE PAINFUL PERIODS?

If you have any of the symptoms described you should see your doctor. It is important that you obtain help and advice on how to relieve your symptoms, especially if they are stopping you carrying on with your normal daily activities.

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