
What are heavy periods?
Heavy bleeding during your period can feel scary, upsetting and embarrassing. Although it’s common, it’s not something you have to accept as “just a period” - there are treatments that can help.
Our easy-to-understand information explains symptoms and conditions that affect lots of women.
If you are worried or need medical advice, please speak to your doctor, midwife or healthcare professional.
You can find information below about:
Learn about your period and whether your symptoms could be signs of a gynaecological condition. Learn about treatment options, self-care tips, and how to get help.
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Heavy bleeding during your period can feel scary, upsetting and embarrassing. Although it’s common, it’s not something you have to accept as “just a period” - there are treatments that can help.
Some mild discomfort and cramping during your period is common. But if your periods are painful and affect your everyday life, you don’t have to put up with it. There are treatments that can help.
On average, a menstrual cycle lasts between 24 and 38 days, but what happens if yours isn’t regular or predictable?
A period, or menstruation, is when the lining of the womb is shed every month or so.
Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places. It can cause chronic pain, heavy periods and other symptoms affecting your everyday life. With the right treatment, it can be made more manageable.
Adenomyosis is when the lining of the womb grows into the muscle wall. It can cause heavy, painful or irregular periods.
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in and around the womb. They can cause heavy periods and other symptoms, such as pressure and pain. There are treatments to help.
PCOS is a common condition that affects the ovaries. Symptoms include irregular periods, fertility problems, acne, unwanted hair growth and scalp hair loss. Treatments can help manage symptoms.
Contraception is used to prevent pregnancy and to manage periods. Learn more about your contraception options.
Got an appointment with your GP or doctor for period pains, heavy bleeding, or irregular periods? Follow these key steps to help you prepare and get the most out of it.
If you feel like you didn’t get the help you need from your doctor, nurse or a gynaecologist, what can you do?
Cervical cancer develops in the cervix. This is the opening between the vagina and the womb (uterus). Cervical cancer is most common in women in their 30s, but screening can help prevent it.
Vulval cancer is when cells anywhere on the vulva divide and grow in an abnormal way.
Vaginal cancer is a cancer that starts in the vagina.
Your womb is the muscular bag in your body where a baby would be held during pregnancy, and the endometrium is its lining.
Ovarian cancer is cancer of the ovaries, a pair of small organs located low in the tummy that store eggs.
A miscarriage is when a pregnancy ends within 23 weeks and six days of starting.
If you give birth before the 37th week of pregnancy, this is called premature birth or premature labour.
A perinatal mental health problem is a mental health problem you experience before or shortly after giving birth.
An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb.
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that affects some pregnant women.