Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) is a common disorder among people who menstruate. It refers to bleeding lasting longer than seven days and involves more blood flow than is typical during menstruation. "Heavy" means that your period lasts longer than seven days or that you lose more blood than is typical during menstruation. You may bleed so much that you have to change your tampon or pad every hour for several hours back-to-back. You may pass blood clots the size of a quarter or even larger.
Symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding
Signs of heavy menstrual bleeding include:
⦁ Abdominal pain.
⦁ Periods lasting longer than seven days.
⦁ Passing blood clots that are the size of a quarter or bigger. The blood may appear red, pink, brown, or even rust-like.
⦁ Bleeding through 1 or more tampons or pads each hour for more than two consecutive hours.
⦁ Losing more than 80 milliliters of blood during your period instead of what is typical, 35-40 milliliters.
⦁ Anemia symptoms, like feeling exhausted, tired, or short of breath.
With anemia, you may also notice signs of a condition called pica. Pica symptoms include hair loss, pale skin, and the urge to eat non-food items (paper, hair, dirt, etc.).
Causes of heavy menstrual bleeding
In some cases, the cause of heavy menstrual bleeding is unknown, but several conditions may cause menorrhagia. Common causes include:
⦁ Hormone imbalance. In a normal menstrual cycle, a balance between the hormones estrogen and progesterone regulates the buildup of the lining of the uterus (endometrium), which is shed during menstruation. If a hormone imbalance occurs, the endometrium develops in excess and eventually sheds by way of heavy menstrual bleeding.
⦁ Dysfunction of the ovaries. If your ovaries don't release an egg (ovulate) during a menstrual cycle. This leads to hormone imbalance and may result in heavy menstrual bleeding.
⦁ Polyps. Small, benign growths on the lining of the uterus (uterine polyps) may cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
⦁ Intrauterine device. Heavy menstrual bleeding is a well-known side effect of using a nonhormonal intrauterine device for birth control.
⦁ Adenomyosis. This condition occurs when glands from the endometrium become embedded in the uterine muscle, often causing heavy bleeding and painful periods.
⦁ Inherited bleeding disorders. Some bleeding disorders such as von Willebrand's disease can cause abnormal menstrual bleeding.
⦁ Medications. Certain medications, including anti-inflammatory medications, hormonal medications, and anticoagulants can contribute to heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
⦁ Others include: Pregnancy complications, uterine fibroids, uterine and cervical cancer
Treatment
There are various treatment options available for women who have very heavy periods, including medication, hormonal contraceptives, and surgery. Knowing about the advantages and disadvantages of each can help make it easier to choose an appropriate treatment.
If very heavy periods become too much of a problem, treatment can help you to cope better. Different types of medication can reduce bleeding and related problems. If one medication doesn't work, it is usually possible to try out other kinds. While on the other hand any fibroids or polyps that are found to be the cause can be surgically removed. If the effects of heavy periods are particularly bad, other procedures can be considered.
