Heavy periods

Closest connections · tap one to go there

Bleeding that soaks a pad or tampon every hour or two, comes with large clots or lasts longer than a week. It's common, and worth checking because it can leave you low on iron.

You might notice

changing a pad or tampon every 1–2 hours
clots bigger than about 2.5cm
bleeding through to clothes or bedding
periods lasting more than 7 days
feeling tired or short of breath a lot

Who can help

Dr. Laura Ismail · M.D., Obstetrics & GynaecologyProfile →
Marjolein Dutry Van Haeften · Registered Nutritional Therapist, Founder of HormoniouslyAlso works with adenomyosisProfile →
Dr. Rachel Alioto · Naturopathic Doctor (ND)Also works with hormones + cycleProfile →

A naturopathic doctor, nurse practitioner or women's health doctor is a good first stop. Acupuncture is often a gentle support alongside.

See everyone for your cycle →

Read

BookThis Is Your Brain On Birth ControlShop ↗

Where it can overlap

Adenomyosis
Heavy periods can overlap with adenomyosis. Established
Iron deficiency
Heavy periods is commonly associated with iron deficiency. Established
Fibroids
Heavy periods can overlap with fibroids. Established
Endometriosis
Heavy periods can overlap with endometriosis. Established
Fatigue
Heavy periods can show up alongside fatigue. Established

3 more threads +

PCOS / PMOS
Heavy periods can be a feature of PCOS / PMOS. Established
After birth control
Heavy periods can overlap with after birth control. Associated
Painful periods
Heavy periods can overlap with painful periods. Associated

Established: well documented · Associated: linked, not a cause · Emerging: early research · Woo exploration: worth exploring, not yet sourced. A link isn't a cause.

Keep exploring

Painful periodsCramping or pain before or during a period is very common. Pain that stops you doing everyday things, or that's…Also in Hormones + cycle After birth controlThe shifts some people notice in the months after coming off hormonal contraception, like cycles finding their…Also in Hormones + cycle PCOS / PMOSA common hormonal condition, now also called PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome), that can show up in…Also in Hormones + cycle

12 sources · how we checked

Everything on this page was researched from clinical guidance, government health sources and published reviews first, then single studies. Where a connection is only worth exploring, it says so.

A note from Woo: Body Map is here to help you explore and ask better questions. It isn't a diagnostic tool or a substitute for medical care. Relationships shown here represent areas that may be associated or worth exploring, not a diagnosis or statement of cause.

if this landed, here’s where to go next

Article · On our SubstackWho Should You See? What is a Practitioner? Back on the mapEverything in Hormones + cycle Step back inside the area and see what lives beside it.On The WooTalk it through in Body & Cycles Questions and what helped, from Woo girls.Quiz · 8 questionsWhat's Your Aura? A little read on how you move through the world. Take the quiz.