Heavy Periods: Root Causes, Hormonal Imbalances, and What to Do First
- Dr. Francesca Medina, ND
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Naturopathic support for heavy periods in San Diego, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Vista
Heavy periods are common, but they are not normal.
If you’re soaking through pads or tampons, passing large clots, feeling drained during your cycle, or planning your life around your period, your body is giving you important information.
As a naturopathic doctor serving women across California and locally throughout San Diego County, including Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Vista, I approach heavy periods as a signal, not something to suppress. The goal is not just to reduce bleeding temporarily, but to understand why it’s happening and correct the underlying imbalance.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why are my periods so heavy?” this article is a good place to start.
In this article, I’ll talk about:
What Are Heavy Periods? (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Explained)
Heavy menstrual bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, refers to menstrual bleeding that is excessive in volume, duration, or impact on daily life.
You may be dealing with heavy periods if you experience:
Bleeding lasting longer than 7 days
Needing to change a pad or tampon every 1–2 hours
Passing clots larger than a quarter
Flooding or bleeding through clothing or bedding
Fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath during your cycle
Low iron or anemia on lab work
If your period interferes with your energy, work, exercise, or social life, you deserve to explore the root causes to feel better.
What Causes Heavy Periods?
Heavy periods rarely occur without a physiological reason. In clinical practice, heavy menstrual bleeding is most often driven by hormonal imbalances, inflammatory patterns, nutrient deficiencies, or thyroid dysfunction. These causes are often overlapping, making it more crucial to run the appropriate lab tests.
Below are the most common root causes I see in my patients locally in San Diego, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Vista.
1. Estrogen Dominance
One of the most common contributors to heavy periods is estrogen dominance.
This may occur when:
Estrogen levels are high
Progesterone levels are low
Estrogen is not being effectively metabolized or eliminated
Estrogen thickens the uterine lining. Without adequate progesterone to stabilize it, the lining can become overly built up and shed heavily.
Clues estrogen dominance may be involved include:
Heavy or progressively heavier periods
Breast tenderness
PMS, irritability, or anxiety
Short luteal phase
Cycles that worsen over time
2. Low Progesterone
Progesterone regulates uterine tissue, menstrual flow, and cycle stability.
When progesterone is low, periods may become:
Heavy
Long
More frequent
More painful
Low progesterone is commonly associated with:
Chronic stress
Under-eating or low-calorie diets
Over-exercising
Perimenopause
Coming off hormonal birth control
This is one of the most overlooked causes of heavy menstrual bleeding, especially in younger women.
3. Iron Deficiency (Both a Cause and a Consequence)
Heavy periods frequently lead to iron deficiency, but iron deficiency can also worsen bleeding.
Low iron affects:
Oxygen delivery to uterine tissue
Uterine muscle tone
Energy, mood, and cognitive function
This creates a feedback loop: heavy bleeding lowers iron, and low iron contributes to heavier bleeding and deeper fatigue.
This is why simply “taking iron” without identifying the root cause often leads to incomplete or short-term improvement.
4. Inflammation and Prostaglandin Imbalance
Inflammation significantly influences menstrual flow.
Elevated inflammatory prostaglandins can increase:
Uterine contractions
Blood flow to the uterus
Cramping and clotting
This pattern is often associated with:
Blood sugar dysregulation
Low omega-3 intake
Gut inflammation
Chronic stress and cortisol imbalance
This is also why nutrition and lifestyle shifts can sometimes noticeably reduce heavy bleeding within a few cycles.
5. Thyroid Imbalances
The thyroid plays a central role in ovulation, cycle timing, and menstrual flow.
Both hypothyroidism and subclinical thyroid dysfunction may contribute to:
Heavy periods
Longer or irregular cycles
Clotting
Fatigue, cold intolerance, and brain fog
Many women I see in the San Diego area are told their thyroid is “normal” based on TSH alone, even when deeper imbalances are present.
6. Structural Causes (Fibroids, Polyps, Adenomyosis)
Structural conditions such as:
Fibroids
Endometrial polyps
Adenomyosis
can absolutely contribute to heavy bleeding.
From a naturopathic perspective, it’s also important to recognize that hormonal and inflammatory environments often drive their development and progression. Addressing physiology alongside imaging findings is key.
What to Do First If You Have Heavy Periods
If you are experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, these are the most important first steps.
1. Stop Normalizing It
Heavy periods are not a rite of passage, a personality trait, or something you have to tolerate indefinitely. They are a clinical sign.
2. Track More Than Just Your Period Dates
Effective tracking includes:
Number of bleeding days
Flow intensity by day
Clot size and frequency
PMS symptoms
Energy, mood, sleep, and cravings
Patterns across cycles provide far more diagnostic value than a single month.
3. Stabilize Blood Sugar and Reduce Inflammation
Before supplements or protocols, foundations matter:
Eat regular, protein-rich meals
Avoid skipping meals
Emphasize omega-3 fats
Reduce ultra-processed foods and excess alcohol
For many women, these steps alone can meaningfully reduce prostaglandin-driven bleeding.
4. Run the Right Labs
Heavy periods deserve more than reassurance.
Depending on your history, a comprehensive evaluation may include:
Full iron studies
Comprehensive hormone testing
Expanded thyroid panels
Inflammatory markers
Key nutrient assessments
In my naturopathic practice serving San Diego, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Vista, targeted labs allow us to move beyond guesswork and build truly personalized care plans.
When to Seek Support for Heavy Periods
You should seek further evaluation if:
Your bleeding is worsening over time
You feel exhausted during or after your period
You’ve been told everything is “normal” but don’t feel well
You are considering hormonal suppression without clear answers
Heavy periods are one of the clearest signs that your body needs support, not silencing.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Heavy Periods
What is considered a heavy period?
A heavy period is one that lasts longer than 7 days, requires frequent product changes, involves large clots, or interferes with daily life.
Can hormones cause heavy periods?
Yes. Estrogen dominance, low progesterone, and thyroid dysfunction are among the most common causes of heavy menstrual bleeding.
Can heavy periods lead to anemia?
Yes. Chronic heavy bleeding is a leading cause of iron deficiency and anemia in menstruating women.
Are heavy periods common after birth control?
Heavy or irregular periods are common after stopping hormonal birth control as the body works to restore natural ovulation and hormone production.
Can heavy periods improve naturally?
Yes, when the underlying cause is identified and addressed. Many women experience significant improvement with targeted nutrition, lifestyle shifts, and hormone-supportive care.
Heavy periods are common, but they should not be ignored or normalized. Over time, they can impact iron status, energy, mood, fertility, and overall quality of life.
When you understand the why behind the bleeding, whether hormonal, inflammatory, nutritional, or thyroid-driven, you can move beyond symptom management and toward true healing.
If your period feels like something you have to “power through,” that is your cue to start looking for a practitioner well-versed in the ins and outs of heavy periods and asking better questions.
Want Personalized Support in San Diego County?
If you are dealing with heavy periods and want a root-cause, naturopathic approach, including targeted labs and customized care, consider working with me in San Diego, Encinitas, Solana Beach, or Vista through my clinic or virtual consultations.
How you feel during your menstrual cycle is vital information. It's time you find a doctor who knows how to interpret it.
Loved this article?
Subscribe to my free newsletter for exclusive health tips!
If you found value in the insights and information shared in this health article, I'd be grateful if you could spread the word by forwarding it to friends, family, or colleagues who might also benefit from my articles. Thank you for your support.
What are your next steps?
Let's work together!
As a dedicated Naturopathic Doctor, I invite you to schedule a personalized 1-on-1 appointment with me. Click here for more information on how to book your appointment.
My goal is to empower you to make your lifestyle your medicine, so I encourage you to take the first step by scheduling an appointment with me. However, if you are not in the space to make an appointment with me, I encourage you to explore my health articles and e-books. Also, be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get my naturopathic tips straight to your inbox.
*Dr. Francesca works only with patients physically located in California.*
*Disclaimer: Although I am a doctor, I may not be your doctor. The information contained within the pages of this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat conditions. Please consult with your doctor, or make an appointment with me, before implementing any of the treatments, diets, supplements, etc. mentioned in this article.*