What causes heavy flow?

Le menstrual flow varies over the course of the menstrual cycle, but also over the life of a woman. The contraceptionstyles, fatigue, pregnancy(ies), illnesses, emotional shocks or simply age all impact the period and menstrual flow.

Menstrual flow is generally classified into three distinct categories:

• the light flow,
• the average flow or normal flow,
• the abundant flow or very abundant flow.

What explains a heavy flows ou very heavy flows and ? What could be the reasons for heavy periods ? In order to calm all worries, Louloucup is now looking at the reasons for heavy or very heavy menstrual flow.

Differentiate between menorrhagia and heavy flow 

It is sometimes difficult to know if our period are naturally abundant or if it is a case of menorrhagia. Menorrhagia refers to abnormally heavy and prolonged periods.

🩸 What are the differences between menorrhagia, metrorrhagia and spotting?

Menorrhagia is an abundance of abnormal periods. Metrorrhagia, meanwhile, is the presence of bleeding outside of menstruation (outside your cycle, before puberty or during menopause). However, these two cases can also be associated: we will speak of menometrorrhagia. 

You meet some irregular periods ? Are your periods disturbed, your menstruation disordered? To find out more, read our article:

Menstrual cycle disorder: irregular periods, explanations and solutions.

On the contrary, the spots are from small blood loss (few drops) outside the menstrual period. Real little surprises that invite themselves into your panties. To find out more, read our article:

What is spotting?

Now let's see how you will be able to identify the nature of your menstrual flow.

How do you know if your periods are too heavy?

Several possibilities to know if you too have an abundant menstrual flow or not. On the program the Higham score, observation or measurement with a menstrual cup.

You can also find our article to help you: How to know your menstrual flow?

🩸 How to use the Higham score calculation method to define its flow?

Le Higham score is a tool used to assess the amount of blood lost during menstruation. In the form of a table, the tool works with a system of points to report according to the losses observed during a cycle.

If you are interested in this tool, you can download it here.

🩸 Define your flow by evaluating it visually

In order to facilitate the identification of its type of flow, one can report the equivalence of the quantity in periodic protection. 

Quantity	Equivalence	Type of flow
30ml or less	1 tampon per day or a few drops on a sanitary napkin	Light flow
between 30ml and 50ml	2 to 3 tampons per day or 1 towel every 3 hours.	Moderate flow
between 50ml and 70ml	4 to 5 tampons per day or 2 pads every 3 hours	Heavy flow
over 70ml	1 towel every 2 hours or more	Hemorrhagic flow

🩸 Measure your menstrual flow with a menstrual cup

Another effective way to assess its flow is to use a menstrual cup. Since the blood is recovered and not absorbed, it is easier to measure the quantity passed.

A good way to learn more about her body, her menstrual cycle and the evolution of her menstrual flow within your cycles.

What are the causes of heavy flow?

Many causes can explain the nature of heavy periods. We are launching here some tracks to inform you at first. It is always necessary in a second time to have the opinion of your doctor or your gynecologist.

🩸 Hormonal fluctuations cause heavy flow

A hormonal fluctuation may be the cause of heavy flow. In particular the excessive production ofestrogen which increases the size of the endometrium and therefore the amount of periods. Site (s heavy periods are too limiting, too handicapping, do not hesitate to speak to a health professional (doctor, gynecologist or even medical professional ). Solutions to balance your hormones exist.

🩸 Benign tumors can cause heavy periods

• The fibroid is a lump that forms in the muscle tissue of theuterus. 50 to 80% of women will have a fibroid at least once in their life. But only 1 in 4 women will have symptoms that require treatment. Fibroids generally go unnoticed except in the case of heavy periods.

• Polyps are formed in the uterus and are usually discovered only around forty or during a infertility assessment. Mostly benign, they disappear on their own 1 out of 3 times. 

It is the main cause of abnormal bleeding in women over 40.

Be careful, however, in women over 45, a biopsy will be performed to ensure that the polyp is benign.

🩸 Adenomyosis causes profuse flow

THEadenomyosis is an anomaly of the junction between theendometrium (lining of the uterus) and the myometrium (muscle of the uterine wall). This abnormality causes infiltration of endometrial cells into the myometrium.

To simplify, we speak ofinternal endometriosis to the uterus.

50% of cases of adenomyosis present with menorrhagia.

🩸 Clotting abnormalities can cause heavy periods

Clotting abnormalities are caused by low levels of proteins needed for normal blood clotting.

Very often it is the Von Willebrand disease (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and the haemophilia.

Because these bleeding disorders are hereditary, women in the same family may not realize that heavy periods are not normal. This is why we should not hesitate to break the taboo of rules and discuss with his gynecologist, because solutions exist.

🩸 Wearing an IUD causes heavy flow

Wearing a intrauterine device ou copper IUD can cause heavier periods. It is also not recommended for women who already have large, intense flows or menstrual pain. If in the first cycles following the break of the IUD, the menstruation turns out to be strong, even hemorrhagic, they tend to subside afterwards. However, they remain abundant.

What to do in case of heavy periods?

🩸 What to do when the Higham score is above 100?

In the event of a Higham score greater than 100, contact your gynecologist who will know which treatment is best suited.

🩸 When to worry about heavy periods?

Fatigue and unusual hair loss should alert to a possible iron deficiency caused by heavy blood loss.

In general, if daily life is impacted and dictated by our rules, it is time to discuss the situation with a health professional.

Manage a heavy flow

With a menstrual cup or menstrual panties, managing your naturally abundant or very abundant menstrual flow is easy! These two types of reusable sanitary protection are completely adapted to absorb the most intense flows.

prefer period panties ou high waist period panties, encompassing with an absorbent membrane that rises high in the front and back of the panties. Without moisture or bad smells, made in Europe and in organic cotton, try Louloucup menstrual panties.

How to manage heavy flows with period panties?

Menstrual panties for heavy, very heavy or hemorrhagic flow, a good idea?

La menstrual cup is also excellent in case of figure. This inverted bell-shaped internal protection optimally collects blood. In medical silicone, ultra soft and easy to insert, the Loulou cup is perfect!

Find different Loulou menstrual cups as well as the range of period panties heavy or very heavy Louloucup, without further ado! Free delivery in France and Europe, dispatched in 48 hours!