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Heavy menstrual bleeding
- See a specialist in heavy menstrual bleeding within 24 hours
- Quick access to personalised support
- State-of-the-art private women's health facilities
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HEAVY MENSTRUAL BLEEDING AT HCA HEALTHCARE UK
Why choose us?
Heavy menstrual bleeding can be debilitating, and the causes aren't always clear. Our dedicated GPs and consultant gynaecologists are here to help work out why it’s happening and give you the support you need to manage your symptoms. You can usually see a specialist within 24 hours, and our extended women's health appointments mean you’ll have ample time and space to explain your symptoms and concerns.
Our One-Stop Gynaecology clinics also give you the opportunity to have a thorough investigation in just one visit, so you can start getting the personalised treatment you need to improve your health and wellbeing, right away.
Our One-Stop Gynaecology clinics also give you the opportunity to have a thorough investigation in just one visit, so you can start getting the personalised treatment you need to improve your health and wellbeing, right away.
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a clinical way to describe menstrual bleeds that are heavier and longer than usual for you. It’s also sometimes called 'menorrhagia’ and it can have a significant impact on your everyday life.
You might be bleeding more than usual during your regular period, or your period might be going on for longer than you expect. It’s a common problem, and 1 in 3 women describe their period as ‘heavy’ according to the charity Women's Health Concern.
There's no definition of 'normal' when it comes to periods, but if your bleeding is making you uncomfortable or getting in the way of your daily activities, it's best to seek professional support.
You might be bleeding more than usual during your regular period, or your period might be going on for longer than you expect. It’s a common problem, and 1 in 3 women describe their period as ‘heavy’ according to the charity Women's Health Concern.
There's no definition of 'normal' when it comes to periods, but if your bleeding is making you uncomfortable or getting in the way of your daily activities, it's best to seek professional support.
There are several reasons that you may experience heavier periods than usual and it’s not always straightforward to work it why it’s happening to you. It might be that you’re experiencing side effects because of certain medications that you’re taking. You may also have abnormal hormone cycles, which are often linked to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or anovulation. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also contribute to heavy menstrual bleeding, as can certain contraception methods, such as the copper IUCD.
Some women find that pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, make their periods heavier. Growths in the uterus, like non-cancerous fibroids and polyps or, in rarer cases, cancerous growths such as uterine or cervical cancer, can also be to blame. You can find out more about these here.
Some women find that pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, make their periods heavier. Growths in the uterus, like non-cancerous fibroids and polyps or, in rarer cases, cancerous growths such as uterine or cervical cancer, can also be to blame. You can find out more about these here.
When you choose to see a specialist is up to you and will depend on how much discomfort you’re experiencing. If very heavy menstrual bleeding has become debilitating or is impacting your everyday life, then it makes sense to get some specialist help and support.
Periods can naturally fluctuate and behave differently before returning to normal by themselves. However, as a guide, it's generally important to see a GP if your periods have become much heavier or if you’re feeling faint or tired more often.
After initial tests, your GP may refer you to one of our specialist gynaecologists for follow-up investigations and tailored treatment to help you manage heavy blood flows and live more comfortably.
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Next day appointments
See a specialist in as little as 24 hours
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Talk to women’s health GPs and consultants
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HEAVY MENSTRUAL BLEEDING TESTS AND SCANS AT HCA UK
The personalised support you deserve and need
A formal diagnosis can validate your concerns and help you feel understood, and our heavy menstrual bleeding specialists are here to help you at every stage. Appointments are confirmed within as little as 24 hours, so you can get on a pathway to treatment quickly and easily.
Your specialist will carry out tests to get a clearer idea of your condition, and whether options such as medication or surgical treatments will best help. You can often have these tests these during your initial appointment, with the results available within 48 hours. The tests that your specialist recommends may include:
Your specialist will carry out tests to get a clearer idea of your condition, and whether options such as medication or surgical treatments will best help. You can often have these tests these during your initial appointment, with the results available within 48 hours. The tests that your specialist recommends may include:
- Blood test
- Cervical screening test
- Endometrial biopsy
- Ultrasound scan
HEAVY MENSTURUAL BLEEDING TREATMENTS AT HCA UK
Care tailored to your needs
Every woman is different and so the treatment that’s right for you will be personalised to you.
We understand that some approaches, such as trying alternative forms of contraception, may not be a viable option for you. Whichever route you take, your experienced specialist and their compassionate team will be here to support you at every step.
They might explore treatment options such as:
- Medication, such as tranexamic acid
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers
- Womb ablation surgery
- Removing fibroids and polyps
- Hysterectomy
You’ll be closely involved in the decision-making process and serious options such as a hysterectomy or womb ablation surgery will only be suggested if other treatments haven't worked, or aren't likely to work well enough for you.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Heavy menstrual bleeding FAQs
Yes, some medications can help manage heavy blood flows for some women and our specialists will be here to advise you about what might work best for you. For example, you may be advised to take tranexamic acid, which is a medicine prescribed to help control bleeding, from nosebleeds to heavy periods.
For other women, taking a combined or progesterone-only contraceptive pill may be a good solution and your specialist can advise whether that might be appropriate for you. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as mefenamic acid, can be also effective. Our specialist team can help you understand the differences between approaches.
For other women, taking a combined or progesterone-only contraceptive pill may be a good solution and your specialist can advise whether that might be appropriate for you. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as mefenamic acid, can be also effective. Our specialist team can help you understand the differences between approaches.
Menopause is when a woman's period stops permanently. While it’s possible to experience heavy vaginal bleeding after menopause, it's not common.
Any type of bleeding after menopause is referred to as postmenopausal bleeding (PMB), and it can be caused by different factors, from hormonal changes to the thinning of your endometrial lining. If you experience it, even just once, you should get checked by a GP to rule out the chance that you have a more serious condition that needs expert help.
Any type of bleeding after menopause is referred to as postmenopausal bleeding (PMB), and it can be caused by different factors, from hormonal changes to the thinning of your endometrial lining. If you experience it, even just once, you should get checked by a GP to rule out the chance that you have a more serious condition that needs expert help.
Womb ablation surgery, or endometrial ablation surgery, is one of many treatments for very heavy menstrual bleeding. It involves removing all or part of the lining of your uterus, also known as your womb. If it’s successful, your periods should get significantly lighter or stop altogether.
There are several types of womb ablation, including radiofrequency or microwave endometrial ablation. Your specialist will explain which one they think is best for you, and why.
You’ll have various tests before the procedure, such as an ultrasound, then your specialist will talk to you about your specific womb ablation surgery.
The procedure itself will be quick and should only take around five minutes. Your specialist will insert a hysteroscope through your vagina and cervix into your uterus to see inside it. A local anaesthetic will be injected through a needle that passes through the hysteroscope to help reduce any discomfort.
After the procedure, you may experience some discomfort, which is often described as being similar to period pain, or mild pregnancy contractions.
If you've had a womb ablation, it's important to allow enough recovery time and seek support from friends and family, as you'll likely feel tired. It generally takes a few days to recover, though, of course, everyone is different.
There are several types of womb ablation, including radiofrequency or microwave endometrial ablation. Your specialist will explain which one they think is best for you, and why.
You’ll have various tests before the procedure, such as an ultrasound, then your specialist will talk to you about your specific womb ablation surgery.
The procedure itself will be quick and should only take around five minutes. Your specialist will insert a hysteroscope through your vagina and cervix into your uterus to see inside it. A local anaesthetic will be injected through a needle that passes through the hysteroscope to help reduce any discomfort.
After the procedure, you may experience some discomfort, which is often described as being similar to period pain, or mild pregnancy contractions.
If you've had a womb ablation, it's important to allow enough recovery time and seek support from friends and family, as you'll likely feel tired. It generally takes a few days to recover, though, of course, everyone is different.
A womb ablation will leave you feeling tired and may cause some vaginal bleeding for a few days or even weeks afterwards. It's best to use sanitary pads instead of tampons while this is happening. You should also avoid having sex until you feel comfortable and any bleeding or any discharge stops.
If you experience cramps, you can take over-the-counter painkillers to soothe them. There's also a small risk of infection, so if you notice unusual discharge or start to feel unwell, make sure that you seek out help. You should make a note of any side effects that you experience and share them with your consultant.
If you're hoping to become pregnant in the future, you shouldn't have a womb ablation, because if you get pregnant after having it, it puts you and your baby at higher risk. That’s because the lining of your uterus undergoes heat therapy, which makes it dysfunctional and means that your pregnancy might end in miscarriage.
If you experience cramps, you can take over-the-counter painkillers to soothe them. There's also a small risk of infection, so if you notice unusual discharge or start to feel unwell, make sure that you seek out help. You should make a note of any side effects that you experience and share them with your consultant.
If you're hoping to become pregnant in the future, you shouldn't have a womb ablation, because if you get pregnant after having it, it puts you and your baby at higher risk. That’s because the lining of your uterus undergoes heat therapy, which makes it dysfunctional and means that your pregnancy might end in miscarriage.
“Heavy periods can have such a big impact on day-to-day life, and we know that no two women experience them in the same way. That’s why we take the time to understand your symptoms and find the right treatment. We want to help you feel more in control and get back to a better quality of life.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.