Discover the reasons behind heavy periods and learn about symptoms and solutions. Expert guidance on Meri Sehat.

Heavy Periods

Overview

Heavy menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia, is a condition characterized by excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding such that it disrupts a woman&#39;s regular activities and quality of life. 
&nbsp;

On average, a woman loses 30-40 mL of blood during a menstruation cycle. However, in the case of heavy bleeding, they may lose up to 80 ml.<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>

Menorrhagia is a common concern affecting women of various ages. According to data, it affects more than 10 million women each year in the US alone. This means at least 1 in 5 women experiences heavy menstrual bleeding at some point in their lives.<a href="#accordion">[1]</a> 
&nbsp;

Causes

Several factors can contribute to heavy menstrual bleeding, including:

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/do-you-have-a-hormonal-imbalance">Hormonal imbalance</a>, such as thyroid disease, or <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/treating-pcos-as-a-teen">PCOS</a></li>
	<li>Non-cancerous or cancerous growth in uterus</li>
	<li>Infection, including STIs</li>
	<li>Blood clotting disorders</li>
	<li>Contraceptive devices or certain medications 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Sign and Symptoms

Periods that last more than 7 days and require a change of sanitary pads or tampons every hour constitute heavy menstrual bleeding.

Other symptoms include:

<ul>
	<li>Changing sanitary pads multiple times during the night</li>
	<li>Passing large blood clots</li>
	<li>Feeling fatigued and weak</li>
	<li>Blood leaks through clothing 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves a thorough medical history and physical examination. Doctors may ask individuals to keep a record to track days with and without bleeding to assess how heavy the flow was and how many tampons or sanitary pads were used to control it. 
&nbsp;

They may also recommend certain procedures or tests, including:

<ul>
	<li>Blood tests to check for anemia, thyroid disorders, or blood-clotting issues</li>
	<li>Pap test, especially in women aged 25 or older</li>
	<li>Ultrasound to visualize the reproductive organs</li>
	<li>Endometrial biopsy to look for pre-cancer or cancer of the uterus</li>
</ul>

After these initial tests, doctors may order sonohysterography or hysteroscopy if required to look inside the uterus. 
&nbsp;

Treatment

Treatment options vary based on the cause and individual circumstances.<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>

<ul>
	<li>Medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tranexamic acid, oral contraceptives, hormonal medicines, or iron supplements</li>
	<li>Surgical procedures, including endometrial ablation or, in severe cases, hysterectomy</li>
	<li>Lifestyle changes, such as dietary adjustments and exercise</li>
</ul>

Note: Make sure to follow proper hygiene, especially if you&rsquo;re using a tampon, to avoid the risk of toxic shock syndrome. Also, make sure to drink plenty of clear fluids and eat healthy foods. 
&nbsp;

Untreated menorrhagia can lead to complications, including:

<ul>
	<li>Anemia due to excessive blood loss</li>
	<li>Disruption of daily activities due to severe pain</li>
	<li>Reduced quality of life because of emotional and physical stress 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Several factors may increase the risk of experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding:

<ul>
	<li>Age, with adolescents and women approaching menopause being more susceptible</li>
	<li>A family history of menorrhagia or bleeding disorders like von Willebrand&rsquo;s disease</li>
	<li>Underlying medical conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders</li>
	<li>Pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage or placenta previa 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

While some causes of heavy menstrual bleeding are not preventable, managing risk factors can contribute to prevention:

<ul>
	<li>Regular gynecological check-ups</li>
	<li>Maintaining a healthy weight and addressing underlying health conditions</li>
	<li>Eat a diet rich in iron and other nutrients to avoid anemia 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Key Points

<ul>
	<li>Menorrhagia, commonly known as heavy periods, refers to excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding that disrupts normal daily activities.</li>
	<li>It is estimated that one in five women experiences heavy menstrual bleeding at some point in their lives.</li>
	<li>Causes of heavy periods include hormonal imbalances, blood-clotting disorders, and use of certain medications.</li>
	<li>Diagnostic procedures for heavy periods may include blood tests, ultrasound, and endometrial biopsy.</li>
	<li>Treatment includes medications, surgical procedures, and lifestyle changes.</li>
	<li>Age, family history of bleeding disorders, and underlying health conditions can increase the risk of heavy periods.</li>
	<li>Heavy periods can lead to anemia besides reducing overall quality of life.</li>
	<li>Regular check-ups can help manage this condition.</li>
</ul>