We’re in the heat, I mean heart, of summer and if you’re like us, your calendar is booked for days at the beach, road trips with loved ones, outdoor concerts and neighborhood cookouts. What’s not slotted in? Running to the bathroom every hour to change your pad or tampon. If you’re frequently doubling up on period products, soaking through pads or tampons, or having periods longer than seven days, you may be experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). And you’re not alone: More than 10 million women experience HMB each year.
The good news? You have options. There are several ways to treat heavy periods and your doctor can help you explore them. “If your periods are impacting your day-to-day, you should have a conversation with your doctor to understand your options,” says gynecologist Dr. Judith McNicholas.
What counts as a “heavy period”? Heavy periods aren’t rare. About 1 in 3 women experience them, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). But since everyone is different—and periods aren’t one-size-fits-all—it can be hard to tell if what you’re experiencing is a heavy period or a “normal” period.
So, how can you tell if your period is heavy? You soak through your pad or tampon every 1-2 hours for several hours. You have to double up on menstrual products (like wearing two pads at once or wearing a pad with a tampon). You wake up in the middle of the night to change your pad or tampon. During your period, you pass blood clots the size of a quarter or bigger. Your periods last longer than seven days. If even one of these bullet points sounds like you, you should talk to your doctor about your heavy flow, Dr. McNicholas says.
You should also let them know if your periods are painful or inconsistent, she adds.
Why should I talk to my doctor about my heavy periods? If you’re frustrated with your period —or even just curious about it— “it’s something you should talk to your doctor about,” Dr. McNicholas says. Remember, your doctor is there to help. And if you’re forthcoming with them about what you’re experiencing, they can help you better understand your options.
You can bring up your heavy periods during your annual well woman exam, or you can schedule an appointment to specifically address them. Your doctor might ask you about your family medical history, when you started your period, how long you’ve had heavy periods, and how heavy your flow is, says Dr. Jessica Shepherd, an obstetrician and gynecologist. They may also do a physical exam or an ultrasound. These steps can help your healthcare provider understand what’s going on—and what to do next.
Are there options to treat my heavy periods? Heavy periods aren’t something you just have to live with. There are several ways to treat them, IUDs being one of them, and your doctor can help you figure out which option is right for you based on your symptoms, your medical history, and the outcomes you’re looking for, says Dr. Shepherd.
One highly effective option is Mirena® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) 52mg, an FDA-approved hormone-releasing IUD that treats heavy periods for up to five years in women who choose an IUD for birth control. A Mirena IUD can reduce your heavy periods by thinning the lining of your uterus.
In a clinical trial performed in women with heavy menstrual bleeding that were treated with Mirena, almost 9 out of 10 were treated successfully―with their blood loss reduced by more than half after six months. Bleeding and spotting may increase in the first 3 to 6 months and remain irregular. Periods over time usually become shorter, lighter, or may stop.
Consider talking to your doctor about Mirena if you’re looking for an IUD for birth control that also treats heavy periods. Outside of IUDs, there are other solutions that might be able to address your heavy flow and your doctor can help you sort through them.
No matter what treatment you choose, know that heavy periods aren’t something you have to live with. You have options—and talking to your doctor can bring you one step closer to freeing up space in your beach bag for sunscreen and a good book, instead of extra tampons and pads.
**INDICATION FOR MIRENA**
Mirena®️ (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is a hormone-releasing IUD that prevents pregnancy for up to 8 years. Mirena also treats heavy periods for up to 5 years in women who choose intrauterine contraception.
**IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION**
If you have a pelvic or genital infection, get infections easily, or have certain cancers, don’t use Mirena. Less than 1% of users get a serious pelvic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). If you have persistent pelvic or stomach pain, or excessive bleeding after placement, tell your healthcare provider (HCP). If Mirena comes out, call your HCP and avoid intercourse or use non-hormonal back-up birth control (such as condoms or spermicide).
Mirena may go into or through the wall of the uterus and cause other problems. Pregnancy while using Mirena is uncommon but can be life threatening and may result in loss of pregnancy or fertility. Ovarian cysts may occur but usually disappear. Bleeding and spotting may increase in the first 3 to 6 months and remain irregular. Periods over time usually become shorter, lighter, or may stop. Mirena does not protect against HIV or STIs. Only you and your HCP can decide if Mirena is right for you. Mirena is available by prescription only.
For important risk and use information about Mirena, please see the accompanying Full Prescribing Information. Visit Mirena.com to learn more. Dr. McNicholas does not provide paid consultation services to Bayer and is not being compensated for this information. Dr. Shepherd has provided paid consultation services to Bayer in the past but is not being compensated for this information. PP-MIR-US-1033 .
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