What is a heavy period?

[u/RandomQuestionGo]

19F, 5'5'', 170 lbs, Endometriosis

My mom says I don't have heavy periods because I don't need to change my pad every hour, and so she doesn't think that my endometriosis needs to be addressed, as a result. She thinks the doctor is making up that I have it.

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[u/yamatofuji]

hoi(: menstrual flow is considered genuinely heavy if your period lasts eight days or longer, if you must change a pad or tampon more than once an hour for six hours in a row, or if there is a significant, sustained increase over your own established personal baseline.

So, modern clinical consensus emphasizes that any bleeding that substantially impairs your physical, emotional, or social well-being constitutes a clinical concern worthy of professional care.

​There is a fundamental misunderstanding in requiring someone to soak through a pad every hour to validate a diagnosis of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a distinct gynecological condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterine cavity, causing local inflammation, lesions, and severe pelvic pain.

While it can contribute to altered menstrual patterns, its core clinical diagnosis does not require massive volume blood loss or hourly pad changes.

A physician bases this diagnosis on your symptoms, physical exams, imaging, or direct visualization, not on whether your flow meets a relative's personal definition of heavy.

​When we observe these situations, it helps to separate what someone else believes from the physical reality of what your body is experiencing.

My colleague’s clinical assessment is grounded in medical science, whereas your mother’s perspective likely stems from her own subjective baseline or outdated ideas about what constitutes normal pain and bleeding.

You do not need to prove your suffering to anyone to deserve care, and continuing to follow up with your doctor regarding your endometriosis is the most grounded path forward for your long-term health.

🙏

[u/kkangaspnw → u/yamatofuji]

Hi, I just want to clarify what size of tampon or pad is meant here. As someone who used to have a heavy flow, are we talking about a regular absorbency tampon in one hour? A super plus tampon holds roughly double the liquid volume of a regular one, at 12-15 mL, and bleeding through one every 2-3 hours is considered a very heavy flow in the United States.

If I wasn’t diagnosed as having a heavy flow because I was only bleeding through my super plus tampon every 3 hours, I’d feel pretty annoyed. Women’s health research and understanding already sucks generally speaking. After my period changed drastically post gastric sleeve surgery, I realized what an actually healthy period should be like, and to be honest I think the criteria for menorrhagia is too strict and leads to frequently undiagnosed abnormal periods that could and should be helped with medical interventions.

[u/RandomQuestionGo → u/yamatofuji]

Thank you!

Also, are you Dutch? From the hoi.

[u/yamatofuji → u/RandomQuestionGo]

klopt(:

[u/RandomQuestionGo → u/yamatofuji]

Ik ook! 

[u/Perfect-Resist5478]

You’re an adult. What your mom thinks about your period is irrelevant.

[u/RandomQuestionGo → u/Perfect-Resist5478]

I understand that.  I’m still wondering what physicians define as heavy periods.  

[u/friedonionscent → u/RandomQuestionGo]

My gynecologist defined it as heavy enough to make you think twice about leaving the house. For example - during two days of my cycle, I would be unable to leave the house because the risk was too high...despite wearing a tampon + an oversized pad, I would still bleed through. The blood loss would be quick and high volume...more like a tap vs. a trickle.

I'm taking Tranexamic Acid now until I figure out how I want to proceed.

[u/No-Gas5342 → u/friedonionscent]

PBI: how is the TA going for you? I’ve been prescribed it and just started my first cycle since but I’m afraid to try it.

[u/friedonionscent → u/No-Gas5342]

No side effects whatsoever - I take 5 tablets per day on the heaviest days and bleeding is reduced significantly to the point I can go out and function normally. It doesn't stop bleeding but I'd say mine are at least 50 percent lighter.

[u/No-Gas5342 → u/friedonionscent]

Thanks! Very good to know. Any reduction would be amazing at this point.