Patient information from BMJ

Heavy periods: questions to ask your doctor

Last published:Apr 17, 2023

If your periods are heavy, you may want to talk to your doctor. Here are some questions that you might want to ask.

Why do you think my periods are heavy?
What tests do you think I should have?
Could my heavy periods be a sign of something serious?
Is there anything I can do to make my periods lighter?
What drugs can I take to make my periods lighter?
Will drugs make a big difference to the amount of blood I'm losing?
How long should I take this treatment?
Does the treatment have any harmful effects? What should I do if I get any harmful effects?
Do I still need to use contraceptives if I use this treatment, or does the treatment stop me from getting pregnant?
Should I consider an operation? What type of operation would be best for me?
What are the risks of having an operation?
Will the operation mean that I'll not be able to get pregnant in the future? Will I still need to use contraceptives?

The patient information from BMJ Best Practice is regularly updated. The most recent version of Best Practice can be found at bestpractice.bmj.com. This information is intended for use by health professionals. It is not a substitute for medical advice. It is strongly recommended that you independently verify any interpretation of this material and, if you have a medical problem, see your doctor.

Please see BMJ's full terms of use at: bmj.com/company/legal-information. BMJ does not make any representations, conditions, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that this material is accurate, complete, up-to-date or fit for any particular purposes.

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