Losing too much blood during a period is more likely when the flow is so heavy that a pad or tampon needs to be changed more often than every 1 to 2 hours, when there are many large clots, or when bleeding lasts longer than about 7 days. Bleeding that “floods” through protection onto underwear, clothes, or bedding is another sign that the flow may be excessive. Read more about heavy periods and they can present.
Heavy bleeding often interferes with daily activities and can lead to symptoms of low blood count, such as tiredness, weakness, dizziness, paleness, or shortness of breath. These changes can indicate anemia from ongoing blood loss and should not be ignored.
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If you think you may be losing too much blood during a period, you should note how many pads or tampons are used each day, how quickly they are soaked, whether clots are present, and how many days the period lasts. Very heavy flow that is different from the usual pattern, or that gets worse over time, should be assessed by a gynecologist or primary care doctor.