Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

icon depicting heavy menstrual bleeding

Although heavy menstrual bleeding is very common, it’s not normal, and it should be assessed by a medical professional. It may interfere with your entire life and could be an indication of a more severe health condition. If you are experiencing heavy or long menstrual periods, it is important to  contact your physician at Louisiana Women’s Healthcare, even if it is your first time.

What qualifies as heavy menstrual bleeding?

Menorrhagia is a medical term that refers to abnormal menstrual periods with prolonged or heavy bleeding that lasts more than seven days. 


Signs and Symptoms of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Women who have menorrhagia may have to:

  • Change pads or tampons at least once an hour for a day or more
  • Change pads in the middle of the night
  • Double up on feminine products to control bleeding
  • Avoid normal activities due to menstruation, pain (cramps), and fatigue

What causes heavy menstrual bleeding?

Several health conditions cause menorrhagia, but sometimes the cause can’t be determined. The condition could be due to:

When should I see a doctor about heavy menstrual bleeding?

Besides cramping and fatigue, losing too much blood can cause iron deficiency anemia. It isn’t something you should ignore. Heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to serious health problems such as anemia and anemia-related heart problems. It’s important to discuss your heavy bleeding with your doctor so they can make sure you don’t have any severe developments.

How is heavy menstrual bleeding treated?

Once diagnosed, medications are usually the first treatment prescribed for menorrhagia. These may include:

When medications fail to help manage menorrhagia, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to correct the cause of your condition.

Procedures that treat menorrhagia include:

  • Dilation and curettage (D&C)
  • Endometrial ablation
  • Endometrial resection
  • Myomectomy
  • Hysterectomy 

Treat heavy menstrual bleeding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

At Louisiana Women’s Healthcare, we cover a wide range of women’s health problems, including heavy menstrual bleeding. We have highly qualified physicians who can best diagnose and treat heavy bleeding. If you are experiencing heavy periods, make an appointment online, through MyOchsner, or by phone (225) 201-2010.

New Patients

If you are a first-time patient of Louisiana Women’s Healthcare, please follow the instructions below to schedule an appointment with your preferred LWH physician. 

  • To view appointment availability for all LWH physicians who are currently accepting NEW patients, click the  “Show more appointment times” button.  
  • To search for a specific LWH physician and/or preferred appointment date, click “Filters” or “Edit” to further customize your search. 
  • If you do not see your preferred physician or appointment time, please call 225.201.2010 for personalized assistance.