Heavy Periods
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South Florida Gynecology & Women's Health
Gynecology & Women's Health Specialists located in Dadeland, Miami, FL, Boca Raton, FL & Pembroke Pines, FL
Heavy periods affect your quality of life and are sometimes an indicator of an underlying health issue. Count on Randye Karmin, MD, Lydia Valderrama, MD, and Ninoutchka Dejean, MD along with the team at South Florida Gynecology & Women's Health, to diagnose the cause of heavy periods in order to help regulate your cycle or reduce the heavy flow. In addition to medications, our doctors offer in-office treatments include endometrial ablation with NovaSure®, a five-minute procedure to lighten or eliminate a heavy period. Call the office located in three convenient locations: the Dadeland area of Miami, Florida, Boca Raton, Florida, and Pembroke Pines, Florida or schedule a consultation online today.
Heavy Periods Q & A
How do I know whether I have a heavy period?
Heavy menstruation is where your period lasts longer than seven days, or when you bleed through one or more tampons or pads hourly for a number of hours in a row. Needing to change a pad or tampon at night is another sign that your period is heavy.
What causes heavy periods?
Heavy periods are sometimes a sign of an underlying health condition or another factor. Causes include:
- Fibroids
- Polyps
- Endometriosis
- IUD side effect
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Uterine Cancer
- Miscarriage
- Ectopic pregnancy
Adenomyosis is another cause of heavy periods. This is a condition where the lining of your uterus grows into your uterine wall.
Should I see a gynecologist for heavy periods?
It's best to visit South Florida Gynecology & Women's Health if you’ve experienced heavy periods. The doctor will perform a pelvic exam and may suggest appropriate lab tests, an ultrasound, or other diagnostic tests to pinpoint the source of the issue.
How are heavy periods treated?
Our doctors will base your treatment plan on the underlying reason for your heavy period. For example, hormonal birth control can address heavy periods due to:
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Ovulation disorders
Other medications can help to reduce your menstrual flow, make your cycle more regular, or even stop your period altogether. If medications aren’t helping, the doctor may suggest a procedure such as a hysteroscopy to remove fibroids or polyps, if indicated, or possibly endometrial ablation.
How does endometrial ablation address heavy periods?
The endometrium, the lining of your uterus, causes your menstrual flow when it sheds. Endometrial ablation is an in-office procedure to treat your endometrium so that it can no longer grow every month and cause a heavy period.
South Florida Gynecology & Women's Health offers NovaSure® endometrial ablation, which dramatically reduces or stops heavy periods in the majority of women who have the treatment.
What happens during an endometrial ablation?
The doctor dilates your cervix a bit before inserting a slender wand that holds a mesh device. Once inside your uterus, the mesh expands to fit the contours of your uterus, then delivers precise doses of radiofrequency (RF) energy to treat your endometrial lining.
The RF treatment lasts only about 90 seconds. The doctor then gently retracts the mesh and removes the device to complete your procedure.
If you’re ready for an effective treatment for heavy periods, call today or book a consultation online with Dr. Karmin, Dr. Dejean, or Dr. Valderrama at South Florida Gynecology & Women's Health.
