Abnormally heavy periods are more than a nuisance; they can interfere with work, school, and your ability to carry out your normal daily responsibilities. What’s more, heavy periods can deplete your iron, which can impact your health.
Our highly skilled team at Ideal Gynecology LLC offers a spectrum of treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding, including endometrial ablation. We evaluate each case and help women find the best solution. Before considering endometrial ablation, there are other treatment options to consider.
When you come in for a consultation with the providers at Ideal Gynecology LLC, our team will discuss your unique case and establish your baseline menstrual fluid loss. Typically, you’re considered to have abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding if any of the following is true:
Although periods are unique to each woman and range from light to heavy, you should be able to go about your life without missing work or school. You should be able to wear a standard pad or tampon for a few hours (at least three or four), without needing to change it.
If heavy periods are restricting your activities and placing a heavy burden on your life, schedule a visit with us at Ideal Gynecology.
Each month, estrogen builds up your uterine lining. During the luteal phase, the second half of your cycle, the hormone progesterone stabilizes the uterine lining, and a drop in progesterone triggers the estrogen lining to shed. Progesterone balances estrogen and prevents the lining from becoming too thick. A thick uterine lining leads to heavy periods.
A hormonal intrauterine system (IUS), also known as an intrauterine device (IUD), is a very small contraceptive device inserted into the uterus that releases progesterone. It’s a long-acting, reversible form of contraceptive that is not only highly effective at preventing pregnancy (over 99%), but it also reduces heavy periods.
The progesterone released from an IUS thins the uterine lining. As a result, most women experience lighter periods, and for some women, their periods stop altogether.
Other forms of hormonal birth control can also help lighten and regulate your periods. Fortunately, contraceptives come in several forms, and we can discuss the form that best suits your goals, preferences, and lifestyle.
Medicines like tranexamic acid prevent blood clots from breaking down and reduce heavy bleeding. This medication is not recommended if you take certain medications, hormones, or have a history of blood clots or other blood-clotting conditions.
Our team conducts a thorough evaluation before recommending treatment for heavy periods and will discuss whether antifibrinolytic medication is right for you.
Low iron status commonly leads to heavy periods. In a vicious cycle, heavy periods accelerate iron loss and can lead to iron deficiency. In some cases where low iron contributes to heavy periods, taking iron supplements can help reduce heavy periods and restore a more normal menstrual flow.
Ideal Gynecology LLC offers endometrial ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that treats heavy menstrual bleeding. The procedure involves removing the uterine lining, also called the endometrium.
If heavy menstrual bleeding is impacting your quality of life, you’re done having children, and you’ve tried other treatments, or other treatments are unsuitable, it may be appropriate to consider endometrial ablation.
Rest assured that the women’s health team at Ideal Gynecology LLC is here to help you find the solution that is right for you. We invite you to schedule a visit with us at our Atlanta, Georgia practice. Call today and get on the road to saying goodbye to heavy periods.
