Menorrhagia Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

Menorrhagia is defined as excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding. It is the most common type of abnormal uterine bleeding. Anybody can suffer from menorrhagia whether you are a teenager or an adult. A normal menstrual flow will make you consume 3-4 sanitary pads a day and the flow will not exceed seven days. Therefore if the amount of bleeding doubles and it last for more than a week then it is considered excessive.

It is recommended to keep a record of your menstrual cycle, because the regularity of the menstrual cycle and the menstrual flow will show if there is any abnormalities on how your ovaries and uterus function. If you notice any irregularities consult your doctor right away.

Symptoms of Menorrhagia (Each individual may experience symptoms differently):

Anemia, dizziness, fatigue, spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods, spotting or bleeding during pregnancy and blood clots.

Causes of Menorrhagia:

• Abnormal pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy)
• Hormonal imbalance is common among adolescents who are experiencing their first menstrual periods and in women approaching menopausal stage.
• Abnormal growths like uterine fibroids, a benign tumors that originate in the uterus, these are common among older women
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Cyst, tumors in the pelvic cavity
• Some Birth control devices like IUDs
• High levels of endothelins (chemical substances which help to control the muscle contraction of the uterus).
• Platelet disorders

Treatment for Menorrhagia: Treatments may vary according to the patient's age, health condition, severity of the illness and its causes.

• Taking of iron supplement can prevent the patients from suffering from iron-deficiency anemia.
• Oral contraceptives - this can prevent ovulation
• Tranexamic acid is one of the most widely used drug/medicine to reduce bleeding. This can reduce blood loss by at least 50-60%.
• Hormone Treatment (progesterone)
• Endometrial ablation - a procedure that destroy the lining of the uterus
• Endometrial resection - a procedure that remove the lining of the uterus.
• In severe cases hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) is done.