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Published on: 3/5/2025

What Does It Mean If My Period Stopped and Then Restarted Heavily?

If your period stopped and then started again with heavy bleeding, it may mean your body is shedding a lot of built-up uterine lining due to changes in your hormones or other health factors.

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Explanation

Your menstrual cycle works like a monthly process where the uterus builds up a lining and then sheds it during your period. Sometimes, if your period stopped for a while and then came back very heavy, your body might have built up more lining than usual before shedding it all at once. This heavy bleeding can be due to hormonal imbalances, which might happen after a gap in your cycle, known as secondary amenorrhea. Other factors like stress, significant weight changes, or issues with the uterus such as fibroids can also lead to heavy bleeding when your period returns. Sometimes after a break, the delicate balance of hormones can be a bit off, which makes the flow heavier than normal. Although this might not always be bad, it is important to observe any other symptoms like dizziness, weakness, or very large clots. If these signs occur or the heavy bleeding continues, it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare provider who can check your hormones and overall reproductive health to help make sure everything is okay.

(References)

  • James AH. Heavy menstrual bleeding: work-up and management. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2016 Dec 2;2016(1):236-242. doi: 10.1182/asheducation-2016.1.236. PMID: 27913486; PMCID: PMC6142441.

  • Jacobson MH, Mertens AC, Spencer JB, Manatunga AK, Howards PP. Menses resumption after cancer treatment-induced amenorrhea occurs early or not at all. Fertil Steril. 2016 Mar;105(3):765-772.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.11.020. Epub 2015 Dec 1. PMID: 26658130; PMCID: PMC4779728.

  • Lord M, Jenkins SM, Sahni M. Secondary Amenorrhea. [Updated 2024 Oct 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

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