Heavy Periods

Causes and treatments for heavy periods

The endometrium is a layer of tissue that lines the inside of the uterus and sheds every month during menstruation. Irregularities in hormone levels can lead to endometrial tissue that is thicker than normal, resulting in a heavy and long period, often with large blood clots and other Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) symptoms.

Normal Endometrium

Normal endometrium

Thickened endometrium
(without atypical cells)

Removing the endometrial lining may improve or eliminate your heavy period and provide relief from AUB symptoms.

Symptoms of AUB may include:

Unpredictable periods

Periods lasting longer than 7 days

Heavy bleeding

Passing large clots

Frequent menstrual cycles

A woman with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding may also experience:

Intimacy problems
Mood changes
Fatigue due to blood loss
Soaking pads & tampons quickly
Missing work or social events

How are heavy periods caused by Abnormal Uterine Bleeding treated?

Left untreated, AUB often results in a hysterectomy.

Hysterectomy may be linked to long-term health risks such as:

13% increased risk of high blood pressure⁵
33% increased risk of coronary artery disease⁷
18% increased risk of obesity⁷

Today, women have less invasive options such as IUDs, hormones and operative hysteroscopy/hysteroscopic myomectomy, thanks to advancements in gynecologic care.

Treat the cause, not the symptoms.

Now the cause of your AUB symptoms can be treated without hormones while preserving your uterus.

Endometrial ablation

Removal of endometrial tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, the source of your heavy periods.

Benefits of endometrial ablation

May reduce or eliminate heavy periods
One-time treatment
No incisions
No hormones
No implants
1-2 day recovery
Keep your uterus
Options for the unique uterus
In-office treatment options

Our practice offers Minerva Surgical endometrial ablation treatments. We choose these products because of their high success and patient satisfaction rates. Call us to talk about the right endometrial ablation treatment for you.

Visit the educational website AUBandMe.com for information about these minimally invasive treatments for heavy periods caused by Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB).

^{1. Plotting the Downward Trend in Traditional Hysterectomy, https://labblog.uofmhealth.org. Last accessed September 15, 2022}

^{The Minerva ES® Endometrial Ablation System is intended to ablate the endometrial lining of the uterus in pre-menopausal women with menorrhagia (excessive bleeding) due to benign causes for whom childbearing is complete. The most common side effects of endometrial ablation occur during or immediately following the procedure and include uterine cramping, vaginal discharge, bleeding or spotting, nausea and/or vomiting, fatigue, abdominal pain. As with all endometrial ablation procedures, serious injury or death can occur.}

^{The Genesys HTA® System is a hysteroscopic thermal ablation device intended to ablate the endometrial lining of the uterus in premenopausal women with menorrhagia (excessive uterine bleeding) due to benign causes for whom childbearing is complete. The most common side effects include pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, infection, laceration, endometritis, thermal injury to adjacent tissue including cervix, vagina, vulva, and/or perineum; hemorrhage; perforation of uterus. As with all endometrial ablation procedures, serious injury or death can occur.}

CAUTION: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. Rx only. The physician using the system must have sufficient and adequate experience in performing procedures in the uterine cavity.

For Indications and a complete list of contraindications, potential adverse events, warnings and precautions, visit www.minervasurgical.com/safety

Results and patient experience may vary. Talk to your Doctor about the right treatment for you.