Your period may be too heavy if you need to change a pad or tampon every one to two hours for several hours in a row, bleed for more than seven days, pass clots larger than a coin, or feel tired and dizzy. Heavy bleeding is common and often treatable, but it deserves a check-up to find the cause.
- Medical term
- Menorrhagia / heavy menstrual bleeding
- Common causes
- Fibroids, polyps, hormones
- First check
- Ultrasound and blood test
- Watch for
- Anemia, fatigue, dizziness
- Visit length
- About 30–60 minutes
- Documents
- English report on request
What counts as a heavy period?
Doctors usually describe a period as heavy when the amount of blood lost interferes with daily life. Measuring blood loss exactly is hard, so practical signs are used instead. A typical period lasts 2–7 days.
- Soaking through a pad or tampon every 1–2 hours for several hours in a row
- Needing to double up protection, or changing protection during the night
- Bleeding for more than 7 days
- Passing clots larger than about 2.5 cm (a large coin)
- Leaking onto clothes or bedding despite protection
- Feeling tired, short of breath or dizzy during or after your period
If several of these apply to you most months, it is worth getting checked. For a closer look at diagnosis and treatment options, see heavy menstrual bleeding: diagnosis & treatment.
Self-check: what your signs may mean
| What you notice | What it may point to | Suggested action |
|---|---|---|
| Periods gradually heavier over months, pelvic pressure | Fibroids or adenomyosis | Book a check-up with ultrasound |
| Heavy bleeding plus spotting between periods | Endometrial polyp or hormonal imbalance | Book a check-up with ultrasound |
| Irregular cycles with very heavy episodes | Cycles without ovulation (e.g. PCOS, perimenopause) | Check-up and hormone tests |
| Heavy periods since your first period, easy bruising or nosebleeds | A possible bleeding disorder | Blood tests, including clotting tests |
| Heavier periods after a copper IUD | A known side effect of the copper IUD | Discuss options with your doctor |
| Tiredness, pale skin, breathlessness | Iron-deficiency anemia | Blood count and iron levels |
This table is a guide only and cannot replace an examination. Heavy bleeding can also be linked to thyroid problems, some medicines such as anticoagulants, or, less commonly, thickening of the uterine lining that needs to be checked.
Common causes of heavy periods
- Uterine fibroids — benign muscle growths, especially those bulging into the cavity. See uterine fibroids.
- Endometrial polyps — small growths of the lining that can cause heavy or irregular bleeding.
- Adenomyosis — lining tissue growing into the uterine wall, often with painful periods.
- Hormonal causes — cycles without ovulation, common in teenagers, PCOS and perimenopause.
- Bleeding disorders — such as von Willebrand disease, which may go unrecognized for years.
- Endometrial hyperplasia — thickening of the lining, more relevant after age 45 or with risk factors; it needs assessment because it can occasionally be precancerous.
In many women no single structural cause is found, and the bleeding still responds well to treatment.
A thickened or uneven uterine lining is one common reason periods become very heavy.
With the right treatment the lining is thinner and more stable, and bleeding often becomes lighter.
When should you see a doctor?
Make an appointment if heavy periods keep coming back, affect your work, sleep or exercise, or if your bleeding pattern has changed. A check-up is also sensible if you are over 45 and your periods have become heavier or irregular, or if you bleed between periods or after sex.
What happens at a check-up at Yoonho
- Talk it through in English Your doctor asks about your cycle, how often you change protection, clots, pain, medicines and pregnancy plans. A period tracking app or notes help.
- Examination A gentle pelvic exam, explained first — see what a pelvic exam involves.
- Same-day ultrasound A transvaginal or abdominal pelvic ultrasound checks for fibroids, polyps and lining thickness.
- Blood tests if needed Blood count and iron for anemia, and thyroid or clotting tests when relevant.
- A plan you understand Findings and options are explained in English, with written notes and an English report if you want one.
Tips while you wait for your appointment
- Track the number of pads or tampons you use per day and how many days you bleed.
- Note any clots, flooding, pain or bleeding between periods.
- Eat iron-rich foods; do not start iron tablets in high doses without advice if you have other health conditions.
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen can reduce both pain and bleeding for some women, if they are safe for you.
- Bring previous ultrasound or blood test reports from home — they help compare changes.
Consultation costs at Yoonho are generally in the range of ₩50,000–100,000, with ultrasound and blood tests added as needed; this is a general guide, and a written estimate is given after consultation. Travelers can ask for English documents for insurance claims.
Why international patients choose Yoonho
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my period is too heavy?
If you change a pad or tampon every 1–2 hours for several hours, bleed for more than 7 days, pass large clots or feel exhausted and dizzy, your bleeding is likely heavier than normal and worth checking.
Can stress or travel make my period heavier?
Stress, jet lag and big lifestyle changes more often make periods irregular than heavy, but they can upset ovulation and occasionally lead to a heavier bleed. If heavy bleeding continues for more than one or two cycles, see a doctor.
Is heavy bleeding a sign of cancer?
Usually not. Most heavy periods are caused by benign conditions such as fibroids, polyps or hormonal changes. Because the lining occasionally needs to be checked, especially after 45 or after menopause, an assessment is recommended.
Can I see a gynecologist in Seoul without an appointment?
Yes. Yoonho Women's Hospital in Apgujeong welcomes walk-ins during opening hours, although booking by WhatsApp or KakaoTalk can shorten your wait.
Should I come while I am bleeding?
You can. A visit during bleeding helps the doctor see how heavy it is. For a detailed ultrasound of the lining, a follow-up a few days after your period may be suggested.
OB-GYN Specialist · Director of OB-GYN
M.D., Ewha Womans University College of Medicine · Former Clinical Instructor, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital · Member, Korean Society of Menopause
Last reviewed: . This page is for general information and does not replace an in-person consultation.
Talk to an English-speaking gynecologist
Yoonho Hospital · 304 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul · Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat 9:00–13:00 · Walk-ins welcome.