How Much Blood is Too Much Blood When It Comes to Your Period?

If you’re on your period and you feel like you’re spending all your time changing your tampons or pads, you might be wondering if you are bleeding too much. While having a heavy period doesn’t automatically mean that you have a problem, it can be a cause for concern. To find out what’s going on, make an appointment to talk to a provider at your nearest The Right Time health center. In the meantime, here’s some information that might help. 

How much bleeding is normal with my period?  

There is a range of how much bleeding you have during your period and how long your period lasts that’s considered “normal.” In general, periods last from two to seven days, with heavier bleeding in the first few days.  

If your period lasts for more than seven days or you are bleeding so much that you need to change your pad or tampon every hour or empty your menstrual cup every two to three hours, it’s time to check in with your health care provider.  

Can my birth control change my periods?  

The non-hormonal, copper IUD can increase the amount of bleeding with your periods as well as how long they last. Progestin-only methods, such as the shot, implant, and hormonal IUDs, can change both the amount of bleeding and when it comes.  

Period changes from birth control are normal, but if they are bothering you, talk to a health care provider at your nearest The Right Time health center about using another method. 

What does it mean if I am having periods that are too heavy or too long?  

Just having a heavy period doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong. However, some causes of heavy periods are sexually transmitted infections (STIs), uterine polyps, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), uterine fibroids, or genetic bleeding disorders. Some of these can cause problems if they aren’t treated, so check in with a health care provider at your nearest The Right Time health center if you think any of these could be the cause of your bleeding. 

What can I do if it turns out I’m bleeding too much? 

If you are bleeding too much, the next steps depend on what’s causing it. Your health care provider will ask you about your periods and family history of bleeding disorders. You may also need blood tests, a physical exam, tests for STIs, or an ultrasound.   

Some birth control methods can help manage heavy periods. The combination pill, patch, and ring can help decrease the amount of bleeding you have with your period and make them happen more regularly. And progestin-only birth control methods, such as the shot, implant, and hormonal IUDs can decrease the amount of bleeding you have overall but may make your bleeding more unpredictable.  

Bottom line, having a heavy period doesn’t automatically mean that you have a problem, but if you have questions or are concerned about your heavy or long periods, make an appointment to talk to a health care provider at your nearest The Right Time health center.  

Updated January 2022