Heavy and Painful Periods

Heavy bleeding is very common during menstruation, but very heavy periods or period that cause pain are abnormal. They can disrupt your quality of life and may be a sign of a more serious health problem. If your menstrual cycle is very heavy or gives you severe pain, reach out to an OB/GYN at one of our two Women’s Center offices.

What is considered “heavy bleeding”?

Any of the following symptoms should be evaluated by an Ogden Clinic gynecologist:

• Bleeding that lasts more than seven days
• Menstrual flow with blood clots larger than a quarter
• Needing to wear more than one pad at a time to control flow
• Changing your pad or tampon every hour or more for several hours in a row

About NovaSure® or HTA™ Endometrial Ablation

Ablation is an option for women who experience painful periods or heavy bleeding. Performed by an Ogden Clinic gynecologist, this procedure removes the tissue responsible for menstrual bleeding (called endometrium). After ablation, you may not bleed again, or your bleeding will be significantly reduced.

A NovaSure® or HTA™ endometrial ablation is a simple and safe procedure that removes uterine lining while preserving the uterus to reduce or eliminate bleeding. The ablation procedure is quick and nearly 90% of women return to normal, light, or no periods at all (40% reported that their periods stopped completely). Most women experience mild or no pain during or after the procedure. There are no incisions, no general anesthesia, and NovaSure® or HTA™ can be performed any time during your cycle.

About Uterine Fibroids and Acessa®

Sometimes the source of heavy bleeding is uterine fibroids. Acessa® is a minimally invasive procedure uses radiofrequency energy to shrink fibroids while preserving the uterus. Through a few small incisions, your OB/GYN locates each fibroid with ultrasound guidance and treats it from the inside, helping reduce symptoms over time as the fibroid naturally shrinks.

Most women return to normal activities within a few days. While not every patient is a candidate, Acessa® can be an excellent option for women seeking lasting relief from heavy menstrual bleeding and fibroid symptoms while avoiding more invasive surgery. Dr. Talon Anderson performs the Acessa® procedure in Ogden. Click here to learn more or schedule.

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