Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED because of heavy bleeding during your period. Many things can cause this. Some are serious things like bleeding disorders or uterine cancer. Less serious things like thyroid problems, fibroids (growths in the uterus), or side effects from s medicines can also cause heavy bleeding during your period.
The doctors might not be able to figure out why you are having heavy periods the first time they see you. So it is important that you follow up with your doctor.
You might be waiting on test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment.
●Take all your medicines as instructed.
●Heat can help with pain. Use a heating pad for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on since this can cause burns.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●Try to get regular physical activity. Exercise can help reduce pain during your period.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:
•Are bleeding so much you feel very weak or like you might pass out
•Have severe belly pain
•Have chest discomfort or shortness of breath
●Return to the ED if:
•You soak through more than 2 pads or tampons in an hour for longer than 2 hours.
•You are very pale, or your heart is racing all the time.
•You feel weak or lightheaded when you stand up.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You have a period that lasts longer than 8 days.
●You soak through a pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours each time you have a period.
●You need to use both tampons and pads because you are bleeding so much.
●You need to change your tampon or pad during the night.
●You bleed between periods, or have irregular periods that happen more or less often than once a month.
●You have pain and bad cramps in your lower belly before or while you are bleeding.
●You have any of the symptoms listed above and have low iron, such as:
•Weakness
•Feeling tired
•Headaches
•Trouble breathing during exercise
•Feeling your heart beat too fast during exercise
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Heavy periods (The Basics)
Patient education: Painful periods (The Basics)
Patient education: Absent or irregular periods (The Basics)
Patient education: Uterine fibroids (The Basics)
Patient education: Heavy periods (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Absent or irregular periods (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Uterine fibroids (Beyond the Basics)
