Heavy periods
Key facts
- Heavy menstrual bleeding is when your period lasts longer than 8 days or you lose a lot of blood during your period.
- Around 1 in 4 females experience heavy periods.
- If you have heavy periods, you might also feel very tired, look pale or have pain in your lower abdomen (tummy).
- Heavy periods can be caused by a hormone imbalance, changes in your uterus and blood disorders.
- See your doctor if you have heavy periods or your periods affect your everyday life.
What are heavy periods?
Heavy menstrual bleeding is also known as menorrhagia. It's excessive blood loss that interferes with your:
- physical health
- social life
- emotional wellbeing
Your periods may be considered heavy if you:
- bleed for more than 8 days
- lose more than 80 mL of blood during a period
Heavy periods are a common problem. About 1 in 4 females experience heavy periods.
What symptoms are related to heavy periods?
A period is heavy if you:
- pass blood clots larger than a 50 cent coin during your period
- need to change your tampon or pad every 1 to 2 hours
- need to change your tampon or pad overnight
- have to use a towel on your bed or a maternity pad when you sleep
- bleed through clothing
- bleed for more than 8 days
- are not able to do things you normally would during your period
If you have heavy periods, you might also:
- feel very tired
- look pale
- have cramps or pain in your lower abdomen (tummy)
- be short of breath
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
What causes heavy periods?
There are various causes of heavy periods, including:
- hormone imbalance
- changes in your uterus
- blood clotting disorders
Hormone imbalance
Hormone imbalance is when the hormones that control your menstrual cycle are not working normally. A hormone imbalance can be due to:
- polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) — a common hormonal condition that affects your ovaries
- hypothyroidism — underactive thyroid
- starting or changing hormone based medicines, such as birth control
- perimenopause — the stage of life leading up to your last period
- puberty — when your hormones are changing and you first start getting your period.
A hormone imbalance may cause an anovulatory cycle. This is where an egg is not released from your ovary during your menstrual cycle. Anovulatory cycles may cause symptoms including heavy periods in teenagers and adolescents.
Changes in your uterus
When there is a problem with the structure or lining of your uterus, this can affect how the lining grows or sheds during your period.
Heavy periods due to changes in your uterus may be caused by:
- fibroids — non-cancerous growths in the muscle layer of your uterus
- uterine polyps — non-cancerous growths in the lining of your uterus
- endometrial hyperplasia — when the lining of your uterus becomes too thick
- endometrial cancer — cancer of the lining of your uterus
- adenomyosis — when extra cells grow in the muscle layer of your uterus
- endometriosis — when tissue like the lining of your uterus grows in other parts of your body
Blood clotting disorders
Blood disorders include conditions when your blood does not clot properly. This can make bleeding during your period heavier or last longer.
Heavy periods due to blood disorders may be caused by:
- von Willebrand disease — an inherited condition where blood takes longer to clot
- platelet function disorder — when the cells that help your blood clot do not work properly
- thrombocytopenia — low levels of platelets in your blood
Some medicines, such as blood thinners, can also cause heavy periods.
For many females with heavy periods, the cause is not known.
How is the cause of heavy periods diagnosed?
To diagnose heavy periods, your doctor will ask you about your:
- symptoms
- general health
- medical history
- sexual history
They may also examine you and arrange for tests such as:
An ultrasound can be done on your abdomen or inside your vagina. Tell your doctor if you're not comfortable having an internal ultrasound.
Your doctor may refer you to a gynaecologist for further testing and treatment. A gynaecologist is a specialist doctor who manages conditions that affect the female reproductive system.
It's a good idea to keep a record about your period using a diary or phone app. For example, make a note of:
- when you get your period
- how long your period lasts
- how heavy your period is
- when your period stops
Take this record to your appointment to discuss with your doctor.
Your doctor should do their best to listen to you and take your concerns seriously. If this doesn't happen, do not be afraid to find a new doctor.
When should I see my doctor?
See your doctor if:
- you have symptoms of heavy periods
- your periods affect your everyday life
- you experience bleeding after menopause
- you have spotting (bleeding between periods)
- you have bleeding after sex
When to seek urgent care
Seek care from an urgent care clinic if you have:
- a heavy period as well as symptoms of anaemia, such as dizziness or weakness
- bleeding that is suddenly much heavier than usual
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
If you have heavy or abnormal vaginal bleeding and you need urgent care, talk to a nurse or doctor at a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic or go to a hospital emergency department.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
How are heavy periods treated?
Treatment for heavy periods will depend on the cause. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you. This will depend on:
- your age
- your health
- your medical history
- whether you would like to be pregnant in the future
- how successful other treatments have been
Self-care at home
During your period, you may want to wear multiple forms of protection at the same time. This might include a tampon or menstrual cup as well as a pad or period underwear. This will give you some extra protection.
Consider putting together a period kit to keep at school or work. This can include:
- fresh underwear
- tampons, pads and period underwear
- a plastic bag
- a change of clothes
You can care for yourself at home by:
- eating a balanced diet
- reducing stress
- getting enough sleep
- exercising regularly
- maintaining a healthy bodyweight
Medicines and hormones for heavy periods
Medicines and hormones that can help treat heavy periods include:
- tranexamic acid — a medicine used to reduce bleeding
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- a hormone-releasing intrauterine device (IUD)
- the oral contraceptive pill ('the pill')
- the progestogen-only pill
Heavy periods can lead to iron deficiency. Your doctor may recommend iron supplements or an iron infusion if your iron levels are low.
Talk with your doctor about which medicines are right for you.
Other treatment options
If self-care and medicines do not improve your symptoms, heavy periods can sometimes be treated with surgery.
Surgical options include:
It's important to discuss the risks and benefits of each procedure with your doctor before you decide what to do.
What are the complications of heavy periods?
Blood loss from heavy periods can lower your levels of iron and red blood cells. This can cause iron deficiency and anaemia.
Common symptoms of iron deficiency and anaemia are:
- tiredness
- dizziness when standing up
- shortness of breath
- palpitations
- pale skin
Resources and support
The Jean Hailes for Women's Health website offers information on:
- heavy periods
- irregular periods
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- different types of period pain
The Royal Women's Hospital page has factsheets on:
Languages other than English
The Jean Hailes for Women's Health page has a short, animated video about periods and menopause available in multiple languages.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: March 2026
