Some women experience high levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone. This can cause the uterine lining to thicken. When a thick uterine lining sheds during menstruation, women might experience heavier blood flows and larger blood clots.
The perimenopause is the time directly before the menopause, when you still have periods, but the fluctuating and low hormone levels – especially estrogen – can trigger a whole host of symptoms, including heavy periods.
High estrogen levels can cause symptoms such as irregular or heavy periods, weight gain, fatigue, and fibroids in females. In males, they can cause breast tissue growth, erectile dysfunction, and infertility.
Menorrhagia can be caused by an imbalance in estrogen and progesterone levels. Some women have elevated estrogen levels and low progesterone levels. This can lead to a thickening of the uterine lining, which often results in heavy bleeding.
Too much estrogen could cause periods to be extremely heavy and prolonged, and is sometimes caused by body fat levels being too high.
In many women, a hormone imbalance causes bleeding. These women may have too much estrogen or not enough progesterone. Polyps or fibroids (small and large growths) in the uterus can also cause bleeding. Cancer of the uterus and infection of the cervix are other causes of bleeding.
Causes of heavy periods
Sometimes, they can be caused by: conditions affecting your womb, ovaries or hormones, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, fibroids, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. some medicines and treatments, including some anticoagulant medicines and chemotherapy medicines. stress and ...
If your hormone levels aren't balanced, your body can make the lining too thick, which leads to heavy bleeding when you shed the thicker lining. If you don't ovulate (release an egg from an ovary), this can throw off the hormone balance in your body, too, leading to a thicker lining and a heavier period.
Blood that is dark purple or blue in color generally indicates high estrogen levels. In addition to its dark color, purple or blue blood usually also contains clots and lasts longer than a week.
Period bleeding that is dark purple or blue in color, thick with clots, and that lasts longer than a week indicates high estrogen levels. In fact, high estrogen levels often cause symptoms associated with endometriosis, cysts, or fibroids.
Estrogen peaks in the days leading up to ovulation. This is your most fertile period.
People may experience lighter periods when their estrogen levels are low. This is because estrogen increases the thickness of the uterus lining. Irregular periods. People may have irregular periods, spotting between periods, or both, when the uterus lining grows thicker than usual.
Vitamin A deficiency has been found in women with heavy periods. One study showed that 92 percent of women prescribed supplemental vitamin A found that their heavy bleeding was either cured or alleviated.
Polyps and Fibroids
Uterine polyps that grow on the cervix or in the lining of the uterus can also be a factor in heavy clotting. If you're experiencing heavy bleeding, large blood clots during your period or lower back pain, it could be a uterine obstruction like a fibroid.
Conditions affecting the ovaries, womb, or hormone levels can cause sudden heavy periods. These include uterine polyps, endometriosis, and more. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , heavy periods are among the most common health issues that females report to doctors.
If you notice on heavy days of your period that blood seems extra-thick, and can sometimes form a jelly-like glob, these are menstrual clots, a mix of blood and tissue released from your uterus during your period. They can vary in size and color, and usually, they are nothing to worry about.
Tablets that contain the hormone progesterone can be taken for the treatment of heavy periods. Progesterone inhibits the growth of the lining of the womb before menstruation, which lessens the bleeding during menstruation.
Your body needs estrogen for your reproductive, cardiovascular and bone health. Too much estrogen, though, can cause irregular periods and may worsen conditions that affect your reproductive health. Your provider can help diagnose what's causing your high estrogen levels and recommend treatments that can help.
How can I check my hormone levels at home? Blood tests – At-home estrogen blood tests are quick and easy. You just need to prick your finger and collect a small blood sample in a vial. After that, you can send your sample to a lab for testing.
Estrogen peaks about a day before ovulation, so you might experience a quick surge in mood and energy (your hormone levels will drop for a short time after ovulation before they rise again), as well as in your sex drive.
Estrogen helps protect the heart from disease, potentially by maintaining higher levels of good cholesterol, called high-density lipoprotein (HDL), in your blood. Lower estrogen levels, especially during menopause, can increase your risk of developing heart disease.