Treatment for Heavy Periods

Since heavy bleeding develops gradually, you get used to it, or at least manage it. Often women do not realise that continuous heavy periods (menorrhagia) is a medically recognised condition for which there are treatments. Several, in fact. Treatment for heavy periods that can give you back control of your life.

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Endometrial Ablation

Removal of the womb lining e.g. with NovaSure

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Fibroid Removal (& Polyps)

Removal options include via uterine artery embolisation or hysteroscopy e.g. MyoSure

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Hysterectomy

Removing the womb and possibly ovaries

Read more
Hormone Therapy

Contraceptive pill/injection or intrauterine hormone device (coil) e.g. Mirena

Read more
Non-hormonal Therapy

e.g., NSAIDs and Tranexamic acid

Read more
Endometrial Ablation

Removal of the womb lining e.g. with NovaSure

Read more
Fibroid Removal (& Polyps)

Removal options include via uterine artery embolisation or hysteroscopy e.g. MyoSure

Read more
Hysterectomy

Removing the womb and possibly ovaries

Read more
Hormone Therapy

Contraceptive pill/injection or intrauterine hormone device (coil) e.g. Mirena

Read more
Non-hormonal Therapy

e.g., NSAIDs and Tranexamic acid

Read more
For

Heavy bleeding

For

Fibroids or polyps

For

Uterine complaints

For

Period pain, heavy bleeding

For

To help reduce heavy bleeding and relieve period pain

Treatment type

Minor operation

Treatment type

Minor operation

Treatment type

Major operation

Treatment type

Pills, injection or inserted into the womb (coil)

Treatment type

Non-hormonal treatment includes taking pills

Treatment duration *

Maximum 2 minutes (average 90 seconds)

Treatment duration **

An average of 10 minutes

Treatment duration

- 1 hour (vaginal surgery)
- 2 hours (keyhole surgery)

Treatment duration

Ongoing

Treatment duration

Pills are to be taken regularly throughout each menstruation cycle

Benefits *
  • One-off treatment
  • Safe and effective
  • Excellent success rate
  • No pre-treatment required
  • Can be performed any time during the menstrual cycle
  • Quick recovery
  • Bleeding decreases or stops entirely
Benefits **
  • Suitable for women who wish to have children
  • Uterus (wall) remains intact
  • Excellent rate of success
  • No pre-treatment required
  • Quick recovery
  • Reduces bleeding
Benefits
  • Stops menstruation
  • Permanent solution
Benefits
  • Suitable for women who wish to have children in the future
  • Reduces bleeding
  • Taken by mouth or injection
  • Also functions as contraception
  • Is not permanent
Benefits
  • Reduces heavy bleeding
  • Offers relief from period pain
  • Is not a permanent treatment
  • Suitable for women trying to getpregnant
Disadvantages *
  • Not suitable for women who want to get pregnant
  • Only suitable for pre-menopausal women
  • Requires local or general anaesthetic
  • Cannot be reversed
  • Contraception still required
Disadvantages **
  • Requires local or general anaesthetic
  • Sometimes needs to be repeated
  • Contraception remains necessary
Disadvantages
  • Major surgery with associated risks
  • Requires general anaesthetic
  • Can cause premature menopause
  • Cannot be reversed
  • Hormone therapy is sometimes required
Disadvantages
  • Risk of side effects
  • Pills must be taken daily
  • Injections are needed every 12 weeks
  • It can take 3-6 months for treatment to take effect
  • It can take 6-12 months before you can get pregnant (injections)
  • 3-5 yearly replacement of coil
Disadvantages
  • Risk of side effects
  • Duration – it can take 3 months to have an effect
Conception

No longer possible

Conception

Still possible

Conception

No longer possible

Conception

Still possible if stopped

Conception

These treatments do not work as contraception, so pregnancy is still possible.

Recovery time *

1-2 days Cramps in the uterus may be experience for up to a few hours post-procedure.

Recovery time **

1-2 days Mild pain, cramps and nausea may occur post-treatment.

Recovery time

4-8 weeks

Recovery time

Not applicable

Recovery time

Not applicable

Success rate *

97% do not require further surgical treatment within 5 years.

Success rate **

100%

Success rate

100%

Success rate

Contraceptive pill 50% Coil 60%

Success rate

NSAIDs – 20-50% reduction in bleeding[3-4]
Tranexamic acid - 60% reduction in bleeding[3-4]

* relates specifically to the Novasure® endometrial ablation procedure
** relates specifically to the Myosure® hysterscopic morcellation procedure

Talking to your GP

Be prepared! Make sure you get the most out of your GP appointment. Complete the questionnaire and period diary, it will help your GP understand your problem, so you can get the right treatment, quickly.

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