Having abnormally heavy or extended periods is referred to as heavy menstrual bleeding (previously known as menorrhagia). "Heavy" refers to a period that lasts longer than seven days or to blood loss that is greater than usual during a period. You can bleed excessively and need to replace the pad every hour for several hours straight. Blood clots up to the size of a quarter or even bigger may pass during bleeding.
Symptoms of menorrhagia :
Soaking through a few sanitary pads every hour for a number of hours.
Needing to limit your menstrual flow by using two sanitary pads for protection.
Waking up in the middle of the night to change sanitary supplies.
More than a week's worth of bleeding
Larger-than-a-quarter blood clots passing
Limiting activities because to strong menstrual flow
Anemia symptoms such fatigue, shortness of breath, and exhaustion
Symptoms that require immediate medical help include:
Vaginal bleeding that lasts longer than two hours and requires at least one pad to be soaked per hour.
Any vaginal bleeding after menopause
Bleeding between periods or irregularly
If you have any of these symptoms visit a Gynaecologist to be diagnosed and treated properly.
In some instances, the reason for excessive menstrual bleeding is unknown, however menorrhagia can be brought on by a variety of illnesses. Such causes include :
Hormone imbalance
Dysfunction of the ovaries
Uterine fibroids
Polyps
Adenomyosis
Intrauterine device (IUD)
Pregnancy complications
Cancer
Inherited bleeding disorders
Medications : Certain medications, including anti-inflammatory medications, hormonal medications such as estrogen and progestins, and anticoagulants
Blood test: to check for anemia, problems with the thyroid, or problems with the way the blood clots.
Pap test: to find out if you have an infection, inflammation, or changes in your cells that might be cancer or might cause cancer.
Endometrial biopsy: to find out if you have cancer or other abnormal cells.
Ultrasound: to show what your blood vessels, tissues, and organs look like, and to check your blood flow.
Other tests might be required such as:
Sonohysterogram
Hysteroscopy
Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
The reason of your bleeding and its severity will determine the kind of treatment you receive.
Medicine
Iron supplements
Ibuprofen
Birth control pills.
Intrauterine contraception (IUC).
Hormone therapy
Antifibrinolytic medicines
Surgical management
Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
Operative hysteroscopy
Endometrial ablation or resection
Hysterectomy
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