The short explanation
Cycles do often become shorter and flow can change in the forties as perimenopause begins. But periods coming every two weeks and becoming much heavier should be checked rather than put down to age. Fibroids, polyps, thickening of the womb lining and thyroid problems are common causes of this pattern at your age, and heavy frequent bleeding can lead to anaemia. Less commonly, changes in the womb lining need treatment, which is another reason not to wait.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- A doctor will usually ask about how long this has been happening, how many pads you need, whether you pass clots, and whether you bleed between periods or after sex.
- Tests often include a haemoglobin check, a pregnancy test if relevant, thyroid tests and a pelvic ultrasound. Sometimes a sample of the womb lining is taken.
- Many women in India live with heavy bleeding for years because it seems normal. Treatment options exist, from medicines to procedures, and a clinician can explain which ones fit your situation. You can ask for a woman doctor, and you can bring someone you trust with you.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell you why your periods have changed. That needs an examination and tests such as an ultrasound and blood count.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- What could be causing my periods to come so often and so heavily?
- Should I have a blood count, thyroid test and ultrasound?
- Do I need a sample of the womb lining?
- What treatment options are there if this continues?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you are soaking through pads very quickly, feel faint or have collapsed.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if heavy bleeding comes with dizziness, breathlessness or a racing heart.
Book an appointment soon
- See a gynaecologist within a few days to a couple of weeks to have this pattern checked.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Menopause NHS
- Uterine fibroids MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Womb (uterus) cancer NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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