Menorrhagia
Menorrhagia is a common disorder in women. In this condition blood flow lasts longer than 7 days. She may also pass blood clots larger in size than a quarter. In Menorrhagia there is menstruation at regular cycle intervals but with excessive flow and duration. Menorrhagia can lead to anemia if not treated.
Causes
- Hormone imbalance: There may be an imbalance in oestrogen and progesterone levels. As a result of the imbalance, the endometrium develops in excess. When it is eventually shed, there is heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Ovarian dysfunction: If the ovary does not release an egg, no progesterone is produced, resulting in a hormone imbalance.
- Uterine fibroids: These are noncancerous, or benign, tumors.
- Uterine polyps: These benign growths can result in higher hormone levels.
- Endometriosis.
- IUD
- Infection: pelvic inflammatory disease
- Cancer
Sign and symptoms
- Bleeding for more than eight days.
- Needing to change your pad or tampon during the night.
- Have to change or restrict your daily activities due to your heavy bleeding.
- Constant pain in lower part of stomach.
- Lacking energy
- Shortness of breath
- Menstrual flow that includes large blood clots.
Diagnosis
- Pelvic exam
- Blood test to check thyroid, check for anemia and how the blood clots
- Pap test to check cells from cervix for changes
- Endometrial biopsy to check uterine tissue for cancer or abnormalities
- Ultrasound
- Sonohysterography: During this test, a fluid is injected through a tube into uterus by way of your vagina and cervix. Doctor then uses ultrasound to look for problems in the lining of uterus.
- Hysteroscopy to check for polyps, fibroids or other problems
Treatment
Drug therapy
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium , help reduce menstrual blood loss.
- Tranexamic acid. Tranexamic acid helps reduce menstrual blood loss and only needs to be taken at the time of the bleeding.
- Oral progesterone. The hormone progesterone can help correct hormone imbalance and reduce menorrhagia.
- Hormonal IUD
- Antifibrinolytic medicines to reduce bleeding.
Surgical treatment
- Dilation and curettage: In this procedure, doctor opens (dilates) cervix and then scrapes or suctions tissue from the lining of uterus to reduce menstrual bleeding.
- Uterine artery embolization treats fibroids.
- Myomectomy: Is a surgical intervention to remove uterine fibroids through several small abdominal incisions, an open abdominal incision, or through the vagina.