Fortunately, most heavy bleeding can now be easily treated without major surgery.

	Medicines.  Some prescription "cousins" of ibuprofen may decrease heavy flow, but may lengthen the time of bleeding.  Birth control pills may also decrease bleeding.  Most bleeding caused by hormone imbalance can be treated medically.
	Progesterone IUD.  The Mirena® progesterone IUD may decrease bleeding.  It can, however, cause irregular bleeding for the first 6 months.
	Treat uterine problems.  If abnormal bleeding is caused by fibroids or polyps, often removing them will solve the problem.  Sometimes an endometrial ablation is done at the same time to further reduce or eliminate bleeding.
	Endometrial ablation.  Endometrial ablation is a quick outpatient procedure, that will usually eliminate or greatly decrease menstrual bleeding.  Click here to learn more about endometrial ablation.
	Hysterectomy.  This is the only procedure that guarantees permanent elimination of any bleeding.  It usually makes sense to consider less invasive alternatives before having major surgery.