Menorrhagia

What is Menorrhagia?
Menorrhagia is the medical term for menstrual periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding. While many women have heavy days, menorrhagia is severe enough to interfere with daily activities due to blood loss and cramping.

If you dread your period because the bleeding is so heavy you cannot maintain your usual routine, you may have menorrhagia. Effective treatments are available.

Symptoms

Signs that your bleeding is heavier than normal include:

• Soaking through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours.
• Needing double sanitary protection to control flow.
• Waking up to change protection during the night.
• Bleeding for longer than a week.
• Passing blood clots larger than a quarter.
• Symptoms of anemia (tiredness, fatigue, shortness of breath).

⚠️ WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
Seek medical help if you experience vaginal bleeding so heavy it soaks at least one pad or tampon an hour, bleeding between periods, or any vaginal bleeding after menopause.

Causes

Heavy bleeding can be caused by hormonal imbalances, structural problems, or other medical conditions.

1. Hormonal Imbalance

A balance between estrogen and progesterone regulates the buildup of the uterine lining (endometrium). If imbalanced, the lining develops in excess and sheds heavily.

• Anovulation: If ovaries don't release an egg, progesterone isn't produced, leading to heavy bleeding.
• Thyroid Problems: Thyroid disorders often cause menstrual irregularities.

2. Structural Issues

• Uterine Fibroids: Noncancerous tumors that appear during childbearing years.
• Polyps: Small, benign growths on the uterine lining.
• Adenomyosis: Glands from the endometrium become embedded in the uterine muscle.
• Cancer: Rarely, uterine, ovarian, or cervical cancer can cause excessive bleeding.

3. Other Causes

• IUD (Intrauterine Device): Non-hormonal IUDs can have heavy bleeding as a side effect.
• Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs and anticoagulants.
• Inherited Bleeding Disorders: Such as von Willebrand's disease.

Complications

• Iron Deficiency Anemia: Heavy blood loss decreases iron levels, leading to pale skin, weakness, and fatigue.
• Severe Pain: Heavy bleeding is often accompanied by painful menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).

Diagnosis

Doctors will ask about your medical history and menstrual cycles. Tests may include:

• Blood Tests: To check for anemia and thyroid disorders.
• Pap Smear: To test for infection or cancerous changes.
• Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to image the uterus, ovaries, and pelvis.
• Hysteroscopy: Inserting a tiny camera through the vagina to examine the inside of the uterus.

Treatment

Treatment is based on the cause, severity, and your future childbearing plans.

1. Medications

• Iron Supplements: To treat anemia.
• NSAIDs (Ibuprofen/Naproxen): Help reduce blood loss and relieve painful cramps.
• Tranexamic Acid: Taken during bleeding to reduce blood loss.
• Oral Contraceptives: Help regulate cycles and reduce excessive bleeding.
• Hormonal IUD (Mirena): Thins the uterine lining and decreases flow.

2. Surgical Procedures

If drug therapy is unsuccessful, surgery may be needed:

• D&C (Dilation and Curettage): Scraping the lining of the uterus to reduce bleeding.
• Uterine Artery Embolization: Shrinks fibroids by blocking their blood supply.
• Myomectomy: Surgical removal of uterine fibroids.
• Endometrial Ablation: Permanently destroying the lining of the uterus (pregnancy is not recommended after this).
• Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus. This is a permanent cure but causes sterility.

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.