Months with heavier menstrual bleeding are common. Many women experience wide fluctuations in the amount of menstrual blood between periods, but not all episodes of excess flow can be classed as abnormally heavy, medically called menorrhagia. This is a condition where you not only experience major bleeding, but the associated cramping and pain combine with menstrual flow to keep you from your regular routine, making work, school, or home life difficult.
When your menstrual flow is so heavy that you need to change sanitary collection measures such as pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours, you may be experiencing abnormally high flow, causing you to double-up on sanitary protection methods. Your flow could be enough to wake you through the night to keep up, and overall, your period could last longer than seven days. You may pass large clots, bigger than the diameter of a quarter.
Menstrual bleeding is excessive when you show signs of anemia from blood loss, including symptoms such as pale skin, weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Anemia is a deficiency in the level of red blood cells, the oxygen-carrying component of your blood. Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when your body uses its stores of iron to make more red cells. This may be aggravated by iron shortages due to diet.
The reason for your heavy periods may not always be known, but there are factors that can contribute to menorrhagia. These can include:
Cancer, certain medications, and other medical conditions may also contribute to abnormal levels of menstrual bleeding.
When your abnormal menstrual bleeding is traced to an underlying cause, your treatment may focus on that cause, rather than the heavy menstrual bleeding, which typically resolves when the root issue clears. Much depends on your particular case, including your overall health and future reproductive plans.
Medications can sometimes help. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can sometimes help reduce excessive menstrual flow while also relieving pain from associated cramping. The use of oral contraceptives or hormonal IUDs can help balance hormone levels to moderate and regulate your menstrual cycle.
Medical procedures used to treat menorrhagia include dilation and curettage (D&C), embolization of the uterine artery or other treatment of uterine fibroids, endometrial ablation or resection, and hysterectomy.
The right solution for you takes into account many factors. Dr. Daniel Kushner and his team can help guide you through your options to ensure you choose the most appropriate treatment. Call or click to book an appointment today.
