Menorrhagia is the medical term for menstrual periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding. Although heavy menstrual bleeding is a common concern, most women don’t experience blood loss severe enough to be defined as menorrhagia. With menorrhagia, you can’t maintain your usual activities when you have your period because you have so much blood loss and cramping.
If you dread your period because you have such heavy menstrual bleeding, talk with your doctor. There are many effective treatments for menorrhagia. Some signs and symptoms according to an article from Cleveland Clinic published on 11th NOVEMBER 2021, includes; Abdominal pain, Periods lasting longer than seven days, 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 and so many more
Causes of Menorrhagia: Here are some causes of Menorrhagia
Hormone imbalance: According to an article by MayoClinic published on the 25th June 2022, 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. Now If a hormone imbalance occurs, the endometrium then develops in excess and eventually sheds by way of heavy menstrual bleeding. Another cause by an article Medically Reviewed by a Traci C. Johnson (MD) on the 24th of August 2022; if a woman doesn’t ovulate (that is releasing an egg from an ovary), this can throw off the hormone balance in the body too, leading to a thicker lining and a heavier period. A number of conditions can cause hormone imbalances, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, insulin resistance and thyroid problems.
Growths in the uterus (womb): Polyps are growths within the lining of your uterus. Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that grow within your uterus. Both can make your periods much heavier or make them last longer than they should.
Medications: Certain medications, including anti-inflammatory medications, hormonal medications such as estrogen and progestins, and anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) or enoxaparin (Lovenox), can contribute to heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
Pregnancy complications: A single, heavy, late period may be due to a miscarriage. Another cause of heavy bleeding during pregnancy includes an unusual location of the placenta, such as a low-lying placenta or placenta previa. Also from an article Medically Reviewed by Traci C. Johnson, MD on August 24, 2022, In rare cases, after sperm and egg meet, the growing ball of cells implants itself outside the uterus instead of inside. This is called an ectopic pregnancy. It can’t be a viable pregnancy, and it may cause serious health problems, such as heavy bleeding, which you may mistake for a heavy period. A miscarriage, which is when a baby dies in the womb, can also be the cause of heavy bleeding.
When to see a doctor: Seek medical help before your next scheduled exam if you experience:
- Vaginal bleeding so heavy it soaks at least one pad or tampon an hour for more than two hours
- Bleeding between periods or irregular vaginal bleeding
- Any vaginal bleeding after menopause
