How much period blood do you lose each month?
I know it feels like we’re hemorrhaging every month, the reality is that for most, a typical period involves just 30-40 ml of actual blood loss over the entire cycle. That’s about 2-3 tablespoons.
When bleeding exceeds 80 ml per cycle, doctors classify it as heavy menstrual bleeding.
But forget the measurements for a moment. If you’re experiencing:
- Hourly protection changes– soaking through pads or tampons every hour
- Emergency layering – doubling up on protection just to get through the day
- Marathon periods – bleeding for more than seven days straight
- Quarter-sized clots – passing blood clots larger than a quarter
- Fatigue – feeling constantly tired and weak (heavy menstrual bleeding can cause iron deficiency)
…it’s not just annoying. This is considered heavy bleeding and there’s usually a reason behind it.
Yes, it could be because of our perimenopause hormonal fluctuations, but it could also be:
- Endometriosis – tissue that should line your uterus decides to grow elsewhere, causing heavier, more painful periods
- Uterine fibroids – benign tumors in the muscle of the uterus that can cause a variety of symptoms like heavy bleeding and irregular periods
- Cervical or uterine polyps – small benign growths that can make periods heavier and more irregular
- Infections – can disrupt your normal cycle
- And in rare cases, cancer
The good news? Depending on the cause of your heavy bleeding, there are treatments available, like:
- Hormone-releasing IUD (Mirena) – the gold standard, reduces bleeding by 70-80% and many women’s periods stop completely
- Progestogens – help regulate irregular, heavy cycles when taken part of each month
- Birth control pills – can cut bleeding by 50% while also helping with cramps and hot flashes
- Tranexamic acid – helps the blood clot; take it only during your period to reduce bleeding by up to 50%
- MHT – less effective treatment for heavy bleeding but worth discussing
- Surgery – last resort when medical treatments aren’t working
Your period shouldn’t rule your life. If it does, it’s time to fight back. If you want a deeper dive, check out this great article, Heavy Bleeding in Perimenopause. And, while you’re getting the medical help you deserve, check out our Period Apocalypse Survival Kit to help you survive the floods.
See anything interesting? We’ve got the full kit list right here for you. So stay dry. We can’t wait to see you next Thursday.
xoxo
Mikelle & Michelle
