Do you also have heavy menstrual bleeding? (Menorrhagia) Let's talk about this.

Menstruation, or menstruation, is a normal part of our lives as women. But for some, these few days are very painful. The bleeding is so heavy that you can't do any work or leave the house. Have you had this experience? Then this article will be very important for you. Today we are talking about this condition called heavy menstruation, or as doctors call it, Menorrhagia .

What is Menorrhagia? Simply put...

Menorrhagia is when you bleed more than normal during your monthly period. This can sometimes last for days. Now you may be wondering, "What is normal? How do I know if I'm having heavy bleeding?" Okay, so see if you have these symptoms too.

• Menstruation lasting more than 7 days .
• If the bleeding is so severe that a pad or tampon is completely soaked , about once an hour, and if it continues for several hours.
• If you have to use two pads at once to control the bleeding.
• If you have to get up in the middle of the night to change your pad .
• If blood clots, usually the size of a 5 rupee coin or larger, are passed several times a day.
• If heavy bleeding during your period prevents you from doing your normal activities (e.g., not being able to go to work or school).

If these things happen to you, don't just assume it's normal. This is something you should talk to your doctor about.

What are the main symptoms of heavy menstruation?

In addition to the things we discussed earlier, there are some other signs that can tell you that your body is losing more blood than it should. To make this information clearer, let's put it in a table like this.

Why is this happening to me? What are the causes of heavy periods?

There is no single reason for this. There could be many reasons. It depends on your age, health, etc. Let's look at some of the main reasons.

Hormonal imbalances

The hormones estrogen and progesterone in our bodies control the monthly menstrual cycle. If there is a change in these hormones, menstruation can become heavier.

• Anovulation
• Thyroid disease
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Obesity can also cause this condition by affecting hormones.

Non-cancerous tumors in the uterus

Some benign tumors that develop in the uterus can also cause excessive bleeding.

• Polyps: A type of small growth that forms on the inner wall of the uterus.
• Fibroids: A type of tumor that develops from the muscles of the uterus.
• Adenomyosis: Tissue from the inner wall of the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.

Infections

This condition can also be caused by some infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For example:

• Trichomoniasis
• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Inflammatory conditions of the uterus (Chronic endometritis)

Pregnancy-related complications

Sometimes heavy bleeding can be a sign of a pregnancy complication.

• Miscarriage
• Ectopic pregnancy

Other medical conditions

Things like diseases that affect blood clotting, liver disease, and kidney disease can also cause this.

• Von Willebrand disease - a blood clotting problem.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Blood-related cancers such as leukemia.

Cancerous conditions

Most of the time, this condition is rarely caused by cancer. However, heavy periods can also be a symptom of uterine or cervical cancer. That's why it's best not to ignore these symptoms.

Some medications

Some of the medications you are taking may also be a cause for this.

• Blood thinners and aspirin.
• Some birth control methods, for example, intrauterine devices (IUDs), are inserted early.
• Hormone replacement therapy.

How does the doctor diagnose this condition?

When you go to see a doctor, he will first ask you a few questions. He will ask you a lot of details about your menstrual cycle, whether anyone in your family has had similar problems, and about the medications you are taking. So it can be very helpful to keep a diary of things like the day your period starts, the day it ends, and the number of days you bleed the most.

Then a physical examination and pelvic exam will be performed. The following tests may also be done to find the exact cause:

• Blood test: Check for anemia, blood clotting problems, or thyroid hormone levels.
• Transvaginal ultrasound: A small instrument is inserted through the vagina to examine the condition of the uterus and ovaries.
• Pap smear: Checks for cervical cancer cells.
• Endometrial biopsy: A small piece of tissue is taken from the inner wall of the uterus and examined for cancer cells or other abnormalities.
• Hysteroscopy: A thin tube with a camera is passed through the vagina into the uterus to examine the inside for polyps and fibroids. Sometimes, they can be removed through this procedure.

What are the treatments for this?

Treatment depends on the cause of your heavy periods, their severity, your age, and whether you plan to have children in the future.

Medications

Often, doctors first try to control this with medication rather than resorting to surgery.

• Iron supplements: Control anemia.
• Painkillers (NSAIDs): Medications like ibuprofen can reduce pain and bleeding.
• Birth control pills and other methods: Regulate the menstrual cycle by controlling hormones and reducing bleeding.
• Tranexamic acid: This medication, taken only during menstruation, prevents blood clots from breaking down and reduces heavy bleeding.
• Hormonal therapy: Hormonal medications like GnRH agonists can temporarily stop or reduce bleeding.

Surgeries and other procedures (Surgical Procedures)

If medication is not effective, your doctor may recommend surgery or another method.

• D&C (Dilation and Curettage): Scraping and removing the top layer of the inner wall of the uterus.
• Myomectomy: Surgical removal of only the fibroids in the uterus.
• Endometrial ablation: Destroying the inner lining of the uterus. After this, the ability to get pregnant is greatly reduced.
• Hysterectomy: The surgical removal of the entire uterus. This results in the complete cessation of menstruation and the inability to have children. This is usually done as a last resort.

When should you see a doctor immediately? Should you go to the ETU?

Heavy periods are usually not life-threatening. However, in rare cases, heavy bleeding can be dangerous. If it continues for two to three hours, and you are completely soaking one or two pads every hour , it is an emergency. If this happens, you should see a doctor immediately or go to the hospital's emergency department (ETU) .

Heavy periods are a problem for many women, but you don't have to suffer with them. If they're interfering with your life, affecting your happiness, or affecting your mental health, be sure to talk to a doctor. He or she will be able to recommend the best treatment for you.