Medications and Treatments

If you are experiencing constant long periods of menstrual bleeding, there are some things you can do to try to solve the problem. The most common is birth control medication. Birth control pills contain hormones that will help your uterus lining from getting too thick. They can regulate your cycle and also help reduce cramping. If you don’t like the idea of having to remember to take a pill everyday, you can also use a birth control patch.

An Intrauterine Device (or IUD) is a type of birth control that can also put you on a regular cycle. A IUD is a small device about the size of a medicine capsule (but thinner) that is inserted into your uterus through the vagina. They have been proven to be more effective against heavy bleeding, inconsistent menstrual cycles, and pregnancy. However, the side-effects for an IUD is weight gain, bloating, and tenderness in the breasts.

If birth control do not work to control your prolonged bleeding, you might have to consider surgery. There are two types a doctor can perform: a hysterectomy and an endometrial ablation.

A hysterectomy completely removes the uterus. Patients who have this procedure done no longer have periods and can no longer get pregnant. There are risks involved and side effects. Most patients have to go through long term hormone therapy and medication afterward.