There are several reasons why a woman may have a heavy period. The term heavy period is relative, and any woman that notices a change in her menstrual flow should see her doctor. While some cases of increased menstrual flow are the result of temporary fluctuations in hormones or a benign health condition, heavy periods can also be a sign of a more urgent health problem.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are a relatively common condition for women during their reproductive years. The Mayo Clinic reports that three out of four women develop fibroids between the onset of menstruation and menopause. Many women don't even realize that they have fibroids, which are noncancerous growths inside the uterus. Some women, however, suffer from troubling symptoms of fibroids. One of the most common symptoms of fibroids is heavy periods. Fibroids may result in heavy bleeding as well as longer-than-normal menstruation cycles. Medication and surgery are both options for fibroids that affect the woman's quality of life.
Cervical Polyps
According to the National Institute of Health, cervical polyps can be a cause of heavy periods. They can lead to heavy bleeding during the normal menstrual period as well as bleeding after intercourse and between periods. Cervical polyps grow along the bottom of the uterus, close to the vaginal opening. Surgical removal of the polyp will relieve the symptoms.
Endometrial Cancer
The Mayo Clinic reports that endometrial cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer diagnosed in women. Fortunately, for women diagnosed early, the prognosis is good. An early diagnosis of endometrial cancer is often possible because one of the symptoms is heavy or prolonged bleeding during the menstrual cycle. Unlike many forms of cancer that are asymptomatic until advanced, most women are aware that something is wrong early in the disease.
