Other Options for Heavy Bleeding

Heavy uterine bleeding is defined as bleeding that's so heavy that you have to change your work or leisure schedule to accommodate your periods. This heavy bleeding can be caused by hormonal imbalances where the lining of the uterus grows thicker and thicker due to the effect of unopposed estrogen. In these situations the ovary produces estrogen without the normal counterbalance of progesterone. Other causes for heavy bleeding can include structural problems like uterine fibroids and uterine polyps. More rarely, cancerous or precancerous changes of the lining of the uterus can cause heavy bleeding. Rarer still are conditions where blood doesn't clot normally due to inherited defects like von Willebrand's syndrome.

Alternatives for treating bleeding problems fall into two major categories: Hormonal and Surgical.