Menorrhagia

What is Menorrhagia?
Menorrhagia is the medical term for menstrual periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding.

While many women have heavy days, you have Menorrhagia if your period causes enough blood loss and cramping that you cannot maintain your usual daily activities.

Signs & Symptoms

How do you know if your bleeding is "too heavy"? Watch for these signs:

• The "Double Protection" Sign: Needing to use double sanitary protection to control flow.
• Hourly Changes: Soaking through one or more pads/tampons every hour for several consecutive hours.
• Night Waking: Needing to wake up to change protection during the night.
• Duration: Bleeding for longer than a week.
• Clots: Passing blood clots larger than a quarter.
• Anemia: Symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and pale skin.

Causes

Heavy bleeding can be caused by hormonal imbalances or physical issues in the uterus.

1. Hormonal Imbalance

In a normal cycle, estrogen and progesterone regulate the buildup of the uterine lining. If these are out of balance (common in adolescence or menopause), the lining develops in excess and sheds heavily.

• PCOS or Thyroid Issues: Can disrupt hormone balance.
• Anovulation: If your ovary doesn't release an egg, your body doesn't produce progesterone, leading to heavy bleeding.

2. Structural Issues

• Uterine Fibroids: Benign tumors that appear during childbearing years.
• Polyps: Small, benign growths on the uterine lining.
• Adenomyosis: Glands from the lining become embedded in the uterine muscle.

3. Other Causes

• IUDs: Non-hormonal IUDs (copper) can cause heavier bleeding as a side effect.
• Medications: Anti-inflammatories or anticoagulants (blood thinners).
• Pregnancy Complications: A single, heavy, late period may be a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

Complications

⚠️ IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA
The most common complication. Menorrhagia depletes iron levels, reducing hemoglobin (which carries oxygen).

Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath.

Diagnosis

Doctors will ask for a menstrual history. Helpful tests include:

• Blood Tests: To check for anemia and thyroid disorders.
• Ultrasound: To look for fibroids, polyps, or other structural issues.
• Pap Test: To rule out infection or cervical changes.
• Hysteroscopy: Inserting a tiny camera through the vagina to see the inside of the uterus.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause and your future childbearing plans.

1. Medications

• Iron Supplements: To treat anemia.
• NSAIDs: Ibuprofen (Advil) can reduce menstrual blood loss and pain.
• Oral Contraceptives: Help regulate cycles and reduce bleeding.
• Tranexamic Acid (Lysteda): Promotes blood clotting specifically during the period.
• Hormonal IUD (Mirena): Thins the uterine lining, significantly decreasing flow.

2. Surgical Procedures

If medications fail, surgery may be an option:

• D&C (Dilation and Curettage): Scraping the lining of the uterus to reduce bleeding (often temporary).
• Uterine Artery Embolization: Cutting off blood supply to fibroids to shrink them.
• Endometrial Ablation: Permanently destroying the lining of the uterus. (Note: Pregnancy is risky after this).
• Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus. This is a permanent cure that ends menstruation and fertility.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical condition.