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Almost all women have, sooner or later, had an abundant menstruation, and many of them have abundant menstruation almost every month. Heavy bleeding or menstruation that lasts longer than 7 days (or both), during which a woman loses more than 80 ml of blood per cycle, is also called Menorrhagia or Hipermenorrea. An average menstrual cycle lasts from 21 – 35 days, and 25-80 ml of blood is lost during the course of this cycle (6-8 spoonfuls of blood).
Symptoms
- Menstrual bleeding that leaks through one or more menstrual pads or tampons every hour, several hours in a row
- The need to use a double sanitary protection in order to control the menstrual bleeding
- Menstrual pads must be changed during the night
- Menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days
- Menstrual bleeding with bigger chunks of coagulated blood
- Abundant bleeding which prevents you from performing your daily activities
- Constant pain in the lower abdomen area during the menstruation, such as cramps (not all women have them)
- Irregular menstruation
- Frequent abundant menstruation can lead to fatigue, loss of breath, dizziness – generally, they can lead to anemia.
Cause
It is often very difficult to find the cause of this phenomenon. Physicians divide them into the following categories: organic, endocrine, anatomic, and iatrogenic. In almost 80% of cases, Menorrhagia is cause by the hormonal imbalance and fibroid uterus.
In a normal menstrual cycle, the balance between the hormone called estrogen and the hormone called progesterone regulates the growth of the uterus tissue, which is shed through the menstruation when the fertilization does not occur. Because of the hormonal imbalance, endometrium can be higher than usual, which is why a heavier menstrual bleeding occurs. This most frequently happens to adolescent females, as well as to women who are entering menopause. Menorrhagia can also be caused by a thyroid disease, as well as the hormonal imbalance. However, Menorrhagia can be regulated with hormonal medications. Likewise, the improper use of the hormonal medications can also be a direct cause of this phenomenon.
Uterine fibroid is benign (it is not cancer!) uterus tumor, which causes the menstrual bleeding to be heavier and longer than usual.
Other causes of Menorrhagia can be polyps, ovarian cysts, ovarian dysfunction, adenomyosis, intrauterine pads, pregnancy complications, cancer, medications, and others.
Diagnosis
If menstruation is interfering with your ability to lead a normal life, you should visit a doctor. Likewise, you should see a doctor if you are experiencing slight bleeding in between two menstrual periods or after a sexual intercourse. The doctor will examine your uterus and ovaries, and Papanicolaou test should also be done. You will probably receive a referral for a blood test in order to conclude whether you are or are not anemic, and whether you have a hormonal imbalance disorder.
Complications
Abundant and long menstruation can lead to other problem such as anemia, due to the iron deficiency, strong pain, infertility, or a toxic shock syndrome.
Menorrhagia is the most frequent cause of anemia in women. During their reproductive years, some women have such low iron levels in their blood that they can cause anemia. Anemia occurs because of the insufficient amount of iron, which your body needs to create hemoglobin. Even though frequent diets can be the cause of this condition, strong menstruation can complicate it even further. Anemia causes general weakness and fatigue and, in more serious cases, it also causes the accelerated pulse rate, paleness, headache, ear-ringing, lack of air, and mental confusion. If it is not timely treated, anemia can cause heart problems, as well.
An abundant bleeding is often followed by menstrual cramps. Although in most cases, you can handle it by yourself, the doctor’s assistance is needed when stronger pain is present.
Many conditions related to the irregularities in the menstrual cycle, including the abundant bleeding, fibroid, disorders in the ovarian functioning, and endometriosis, can be attributed to infertility in women. The irregular menstruation alone can make getting pregnant more difficult.
If you are using one tampon for more than eight hours, the risk of infection and the toxic shock syndrome is increased. It is a rare, but a potentially lethal condition, which is cause by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that stick to the tampon walls and release toxins. Signs and symptoms include high temperature, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle pain, and general fatigue. A rash across the whole body, which peels on your palms and arches, can also appear, while blood pressure can drop to dangerously low levels.
Treatment
If you are anemic, you will need an additional amount of iron, which can be prescribed by a doctor. There are medications that can reduce your blood loss. Some do not use the hormonal therapy, while others contain progesterone, among other ingredients. You have to be careful when taking aspirin, because it prevents the coagulation of the blood. Oral contraceptive pills can help you with the regulation of your menstrual cycle. If nothing of above helps, you can do a surgical procedure, but it is best to discuss all of this with your doctor.
What you can do is get enough rest if the Menorrhagia is interfering with your regular schedule. It would be desirable to keep track of how many pads and tampons you spend, so that the doctor would be able to determine the exact amount of lost blood. You must change tampons on regular basis – at least every 4-6 hours. Avoid aspirin and ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend something else for the menstrual cramp relief.
Some women deal well with Menorrhagia. In order for that to work for you, you should closely cooperate with your doctor, take additional iron, take good care of yourself and your health, and ask for help from your family and friends. They will alleviate your condition and make the problem more bearable.