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What Do I Need to Know About My Heavy Flow

While menstrual flow can vary from person to person, there can be a lot of reasons behind a heavy menstrual flow. 

Known as menorrhagia, heavy menstrual bleeding in women can be caused by many things. So what causes heavy flow and what can be done about it?

Causes of Heavy Flow

Every woman has different genes, hormone balances and diets, so the exact cause of heavy flow is sometimes hard to determine. Some of the reasons why a woman may experience a heavy flow can include the following:

Uterine Fibroids

Though it may seem unlikely, uterine fibroids can cause unusual bleeding patterns including bleeding off cycle or heavy bleeding during your period. Uterine fibroids are a very common issue for women.

IUD

Sometimes intrauterine devices can cause increase bleeding. Ask your doctor if your IUD is disrupting your regular menstrual flow. It may need to be removed and a new birth control option used.

Hormonal imbalance

If you have hormonal imbalances from medication, genetics or eating habits, you might experience heavy flow. To correct this, your doctor may prescribe birth control pills to help balance your hormone levels. You may also need to adjust your way of living if something is interfering with healthy hormonal balance.

Other Uncommon Causes of Heavy Flow

Other causes of heavy menstrual bleeding can include:

  • Liver or kidney disease

  • Cervical cancer

  • Adenomyosis (uterine lining embeds itself in muscular wall of uterus)

  • Miscarriage

Getting Help with Heavy Flow in San Francisco, CA

Call (415) 923-3123 to schedule an appointment with us to learn more about what could be causing your heavy menstrual flow.