What are heavy periods?

The correct medical definition of heavy periods is the passage of more than 80ml of blood each period. It is seldom realistic or practical, however, to actually measure the blood loss and so doctors rely on the woman's description of her period.

Periods are considered heavy when:

A woman bleeds for more than 8 to 10 days, or a sudden twice as much as her normal flow, especially if this is repeated month after month.
a woman bleeds so much that it is difficult for her to attend her job. She may be forced to plan her holidays and leisure time according to the timings of her period.
the bleeding is continuously so heavy that the woman becomes anemic.

The presence of high numbers of small clots for more than two days suggests heavy periods.
'flooding' describes the sudden, unexpected onset of periods, like a tap is busted , and indicates heavy periods.

Cause of heavy and long menstrual flow:

Younger women heavy periods are most often due to a temporary hormone imbalance, which eventually corrects itself.

In the years close to the menopause, heavy periods are usually a sign of hormone imbalance. Possibility of heavy periods being caused by an underlying disease increases with age.

Associated with heavy periods:

• fibroids.
• endometriosis.
• pelvic inflammatory disease.
• polyps of the lining of the womb.
• the commonest cause is a condition called dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB). This refers to heavy bleeding with cold and weak conditions in the ovary and womb.

In the olden days in villages, there are many cases of died from heavy and non stop menstruation.

Many women experience pain or discomfort at the time of their periods. For most, the pain or unease is not so severe that it interferes with their daily lives .

Some women their monthly period is problematic and almost disabling because of the pain and inconvenience caused. They may have to take time off from school or work and stay at home for one or two days.

Period pain are only sometimes a sign of others disease, like cyst growth, cold ovary or womb, obstructed Qi flow and others complications.

What causes menstrual pains?

The natural pains are caused by contractions in the musculature of the uterus. The contractions are caused by the release of the body's prostaglandins, which are hormones produced by the lining of the womb. So when there are abnormal or cold conditions, it will cause pain.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection that passes from the vagina through neck of the womb (cervix), the womb (uterus) and up to the Fallopian tubes. The ovaries are sometimes also involved. Bacteria and other micro-organisms can find their way through the vagina and the cervix to the internal reproductive organs. A bacterial infection can cause inflammation in these organs and their surroundings. This most commonly occurs in the Fallopian tubes.

Causes Pelvic inflammatory:

It may result from a termination of pregnancy or following childbirth. Occasionally, it may be as a result of having sex with a new partner or many partners. But often no specific reason can be found.

Symptoms of Pelvic inflammatory:

It causes tenderness and pain in one or both sides of the lower abdomen. At the same time, it can cause fever and general discomfort. Finally, the infection can be accompanied by heavy, painful periods and sometimes severe brown or even black color vaginal discharge.