Menorrhagia
Menorrhagia is a condition characterised by abnormally heavy or extended menstrual bleeding.
You may experience
- Menstrual flow that soaks one or more pads per hour for several consecutive hours
- Needing to change your pad frequently during the night
- Menstrual periods that last longer than seven days
- Menstrual flow that is so heavy that it affects your ability to conduct normal day-to-day activities
- Fatigue, weakness or shortness of breath (symptoms of anaemia that can be brought on due to the heavy blood loss)
causes
What causes Menorrhagia ?
The cause of menorrhagia is not always known; however, there are certain conditions that predispose a person to menorrhagia, For example:
- Hormonal imbalance
- Ovarian dysfunction
- Uterine fibroids
- Uterine polyps
- Adenomyosis
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Pregnancy complications
- Cancer
- Inherited blood disorders
- Certain medications (anti-inflammatory medications and anticoagulants)
- Other medical conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), thyroid problems, endometriosis, and liver or kidney disease.
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor can perform a pelvic examination and may recommend other tests or procedures such as a pelvic ultrasound, biopsy, or hysteroscopy.
Your treatment options
Treatment options will depend on the underlying cause of menorrhagia, the severity of the condition and the overall health of the patient. Some common treatments include:
Iron supplements if the blood loss has caused iron deficiency
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to blood flow and cramping
Oral contraceptives may be prescribed to help reduce bleeding and regulate menstrual cycles
Oral progesterone may be given to help correct hormonal imbalance and reduce blood loss
The insertion of an intrauterine device such as Mirena, which thins the uterine lining and reduces the blood flow
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Surgery may be needed if medication therapy is not successful. Some treatments for menorrhagia can affect fertility so consultation with a gynaecologist is essential if you plan to have children in the future.
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