Menorrhagia (long and heavy menstrual bleeding) – causes, symptoms & therapy

Menorrhagia (long and heavy menstrual bleeding)

When a woman’s days lengthen, it’s called menorrhagia . A woman’s normal menstrual period occurs about every 28 days, unless a fertilized egg cell has implanted itself in the uterus.

What is menorrhagia?

The normal length of a woman’s cycle is between 25 and 35 days. The doctor counts the period between the first day of bleeding and the last day before the next menstruation. The average blood loss is around 40 ml and menstruation lasts four to five days. Menorrhagia is an increased menstrual period that goes beyond this period. This is a cycle anomaly. The menstrual period lasts longer than usual and is heavier than usual.

The conditions for the abnormality are a blood loss of more than 80 ml and a menstrual period of more than seven days. In some people, menstrual bleeding can last up to two weeks. If the woman loses more than 150 ml of blood while the duration is within the normal range, the doctor speaks of hypermenorrhea. Both diseases refer to menstrual disorders that require medical treatment.

causes

Menorrhagia is one of the most common gynecological disorders. The causes of the anomaly can be varied. Changes in the genitals are often the reason for the heavy bleeding. In 80% of cases, the disease has organic causes. In addition to inflammation of the fallopian tubes , the spiral can also trigger the symptoms. Tumors and mucosal proliferations are not isolated cases. In this case, the menorrhagia is an accompanying symptom of a primary disease. These include endometriosis as well as polyps and fibroids .Fibroids are benign muscle growths in the uterus, while endometriosis is when the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Rarer reasons include bleeding disorders and high blood pressure . But kidney or liver insufficiency are also possible. Another cause that can lead to increased bleeding is stress . The doctor will also examine for malignant carcinomas (uterine cancer). Due to the wide range of possible causes, a clarification by the doctor is mandatory.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of menorrhagia:

The symptoms of menorrhagia are clearly defined. If there is excessive blood loss and a regular menstrual period of more than a week, the affected person should consider a medical condition. The constant changing of tampons and pads is an indication that the strength of the menstrual period is no longer within the normal range. On average, an affected person needs five pads or tampons a day in order to be able to control the large amount of blood.

Due to the increased blood loss, patients often complain of tiredness, exhaustion and exhaustion. The usual symptoms of a menstrual period come to the fore. The consequences can be circulatory problems and anemia . Depending on the intensity of the symptoms, iron deficiency anemia is also possible. Menorrhagia is not life-threatening, but it can severely limit everyday life for those affected. Irritability and difficulty concentrating as well as severe pain impair the quality of life and make it difficult for many women to master their everyday tasks.

Diagnose

To diagnose the cycle abnormality, a medical professional will first ask about the patient’s medical history (anamnesis). He can often use this to draw initial conclusions about possible causes of the menstrual problems. It is also useful to observe the menstrual period for a few months and to note its strength, duration and any bleeding between periods. The patient should also write down the intensity of the pain.

Based on this information, the doctor can discuss further action with the person concerned. In the following, recourse to a gynecological examination is common. In addition to a palpation and urinalysis , a doctor will also consider an ultrasound . Since in rare cases hormonal causes are the reason for the symptoms, a blood test and blood test is common.

The laboratory will simultaneously test for iron deficiency and anemia. A more precise diagnosis enables a hysteroscopy in addition to the obligatory smear test. With the so-called hysteroscopy, the attending physician can remove smaller polyps and detect other organic changes. Computed tomography is also not uncommon.

treatment and therapy

Basically, the treatment of menorrhagia depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, hormone therapy with estrogen -progestin preparations is sufficient for treatment. Depending on the need, these can be used either for the entire cycle or partially. In the case of organic changes such as fibroids and polyps, the patient should expect surgical interventions if drug treatment does not work.

If there are hormonal causes that lead to the symptoms, the woman can regulate the hormone balance by taking the birth control pill . If the patient no longer wishes to have children, the doctor will inform her about endometrial ablation. During the procedure, the lining of the uterus is removed. In this way, the treating person prevents further proliferation of the mucous membrane. If there is a suspicion of malignant changes, the doctor will do a scraping and examine them for cancer cells. Appropriate cancer therapy is carried out if the suspicion is confirmed.

prevention

Menorrhagia cannot be prevented. However, it is possible to positively influence its course. Various points should be taken into account. A healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise, a varied diet and regular rest can alleviate the symptoms. Sufficient sleep and stress reduction also have a positive effect on well-being.Reducing cigarette and alcohol consumption shows a similar effect. In addition, by using mechanical contraceptives , infectious diseases during sexual intercourse can be avoided. Last but not least, regular check – ups are advisable in order to be able to identify and treat possible diseases in good time. Cancer diseases in particular are easily treatable if they are detected early.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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