Women often experience a lot of variations in the ways they get their periods. Sometimes, you have light bleeding which doesn’t really cause much problem. But very often, you can experience sudden heavy periods and it can cause unbearable pain.

If you experience more than normal bleeding, you might find yourself confused and disturbed. You must know why you bleed more than usual. Sometimes, heavy menstruation can happen because of several underlying factors.

Here, we’ll take a look at why you just experienced sudden heavy periods.

A] What Are Heavy Periods?

Now, before we dig into the reasons why you’re menstruating so much, you should know what a heavy period is. Apparently, the intensity with which every woman bleeds is different.

For some women, heavy periods are normal. But if you’ve always bled lightly, a lot of blood on your period is something you should be alarmed about.

Let’s acquaint you with some signs that you might be experiencing a heavy period.

1. You Need More Tampons Or Pads

Before you conclude that you’re experiencing heavy periods, you should first consider the number of pads or tampons that you usually use. You can track if you’ve to change your pad every hour or two.

If that’s the case, your period is not normal. You’re bleeding more than what you normally do and it’s something that you should be concerned about.

2. Lot Of Leakage

Are you experiencing leakage now and then? It could be a sign of a heavy period. Leakage often takes place when your period is heavy. If you witness a lot of blood clots, it indicates a heavy period as well.

3. Prolonged Periods

Normal periods last for 3-7 days. If you are bleeding for more than 10 days, it means that you’re experiencing a heavy period.

B] Why Do Heavy Periods Occur?

Now that you are aware of the signs of a heavy period, let’s understand a few reasons that could be causing the same.

1. Hormonal Imbalance

The most common cause of a sudden heavy period is the hormonal imbalance. Sometimes, your body starts producing too much estrogen in relation to progesterone. So, it causes you a heavy period.

When you experience hormonal imbalance, the shedding of your uterus lining is not normal. This process disrupts your normal blood flow and leads to a heavy period.

2. Medications

If you are on some medication, it might mess with your hormones and eventually lead to a heavy blood flow. Usually, you encounter a heavy period when you’re on blood thinners or anticoagulants.

When your medication affects your menstrual cycle, you should try to consult with your doctor as soon as possible.

3. Lifestyle Factors

You might find it hard to believe but the way you lead your life can also be the reason for a heavy blood flow. Stress is the main reason why most women have delayed or heavy periods. It happens because stress can tamper with your hormones and affect your cycle.

Your diet and nutrition also play a part in the intensity of your blood flow. When you have nutritional deficiencies such as the lack of iron or vitamin K, you might see a sudden heavy period. It would be best to switch to a well-balanced diet so that you can get rid of these deficiencies.

Additionally, if you undergo a rigorous fitness routine, it can also lead to a heavy period.

4. PCOS

Heavy blood flow can also occur because of PCOS. This health condition often causes irregularities in your menstrual cycle because of hormonal imbalance. Understanding your specific PCOS-related needs is important if you are planning to buy PCOS supplements.

5. Underlying Health Conditions

There are some underlying health conditions that are related to heavy blood flow. One of these conditions is uterine fibroids. It is a kind of noncancerous growth in your uterus that causes prolonged or very heavy bleeding.

Other than this, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, or PIM is a cause of heavy periods. PIM causes an infection in your reproductive organs, which is why your periods are heavy.

6. Menopause

Menopause is a natural phase of a woman’s life and it’s inevitable. It comes with a lot of physical and emotional turmoil. You might be experiencing a sudden heavy period just because you’re entering this phase of your life.

Menopause can also cause longer periods because estrogen and progesterone in a woman’s body decline. Other than heavy bleeding, you might also experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness, etc.

Conclusion

Bleeding more than usual on your period can be overwhelming. You might experience a lot of distress and inconvenience because of this situation.

If you experience a heavy period once in a while, there shouldn’t be any cause for worry, But if heavy bleeding has become a part of your menstrual phase, you should consult your doctor.

Frequent heavy bleeding can often be a cause of concern. Usually, one of these six reasons might be the perfect explanation of why you’re bleeding heavily. But you should get yourself diagnosed and not take a chance with your health.