Menstrual bleeding won’t stop
What to do if the menstrual period doesn’t stop? Menstruation differs in length, strength and frequency from woman to woman. However, there are approximate guidelines as to when a rule is considered too long or too intense. In most cases, diseases are behind the symptoms that can be treated. It is therefore important to clarify the causes of excessive blood loss.
Description
In most women, menstruation lasts 5 to 7 days. If the period exceeds this period, it is called menorrhagia. If the bleeding lasts longer than 14 days, it is continuous bleeding.
A prolonged period often occurs concomitantly with hypermenorrhea, which is very profuse bleeding characterized by a loss of more than 80 milliliters. The increased blood supply is particularly problematic because of possible anemia or iron deficiency . But the underlying causes can also further endanger health, which is why treatment should not only be considered for psychological reasons.
causes
Physical causes are particularly common for a very long period of bleeding. These include changes in the tissues of the uterus, such as polyps and fibroids. Polyps are found in the lining of the uterus, and fibroids are more common in the muscles. Both manifestations are benign changes. However, the existence of a malignant tumor is just as possible. In addition to these causes, there may be thickening of the mucous membrane of the uterus or ovarian cysts.
General diseases such as high blood pressure or heart and kidney diseases also trigger prolonged menstruation. In addition, there is the possibility of the presence of blood clotting disorders. In addition to organic diseases, hormonal fluctuations can also cause the symptoms. These include in particular the hormonal change at the beginning of the menopause , but also in diabetes or obesity. The general problem here is the anti-proportional relationship between estrogen and progesterone. In the case of hormonal causes, the uterus shows no physical changes or abnormalities.
Diseases
- hormonal disorders
When to the doctor?
A doctor should always be consulted if a menstrual period lasts longer than 7 days. Hormonal disorders or other diseases may be present that need to be clarified. If the menstrual period has already subsided after the usual 4-6 days and then increases again over several days, a visit to the doctor is also recommended. The cause must be determined so that no unwanted pregnancy occurs.
An unusually long menstrual period is an indication of organic problems. Therefore, a doctor’s visit is necessary as soon as other symptoms appear. They include discoloration of the excretions , unusual abdominal discomfort or a feeling of pressure inside the body.
If the woman wears an IUD, she should consult a doctor as soon as possible if the menstrual period lasts longer. There is damage to the uterus that needs treatment. If the woman suffers from mood swings , depressive episodes, tiredness or insomnia, a doctor should also be consulted.
In the case of particularly heavy or noticeably weak bleeding, consultation with a doctor is necessary to clarify the causes. Women who are already suffering from a disease such as diabetes or a blood clotting disorder must see a doctor early on to avoid further complications. If the menstrual period is unusually long due to increased stress, a doctor should be consulted after 10 days at the latest.
diagnosis and course
Diagnosis usually starts with a detailed discussion, during which it should be mentioned how long the problem has existed and whether there are any chronic illnesses in the family. The patient should be able to provide information about the severity of the bleeding and pain and ideally keep a cycle calendar. In addition, the physical examination is particularly important. Any changes in the uterus can be detected by palpation and with the help of an ultrasound . Polyps, tumors and fibroids in particular are made visible by an ultrasound image.
A tissue sample provides information about whether the change is benign or malignant. Another method is a uterine endoscopy. With this, a camera is inserted into the vagina to obtain accurate images. A blood and urine test can be used to find out whether there are hormonal disorders . By analyzing body fluids, it is possible to determine the concentration of various hormones , such as estrogen, progestin and androgen. Conclusions about possible hormonal causes can be drawn from the level of the different hormones.
complications
A healthy menstrual period stops after a few days or about a week. If it doesn’t, there is a problem that needs medical attention. Until that happens, however, a variety of complications can arise if the menstrual period does not want to stop. With a normal and healthy menstrual period, the woman loses very little blood, even if it looks like a lot. This is not the case because the discharge is not just blood. However, if a menstrual period lasts longer than it should, the loss of blood can become a problem, because nature did not intend that.
Blood loss can result in anaemia, pale skin and circulatory problems. In the worst case, the woman loses consciousness in everyday life and thereby puts herself and others in danger. Irrespective of the blood loss, a menstrual period can be an extraordinary burden for the body if it never ends. The woman may show symptoms of debility. Ultimately, it is uncomfortable for the woman when the menstrual period does not stop. She must use either tampons or pads during this time – the former always carries some risk of toxic shock and can dry out the vagina, causing vaginal yeast infectionsmakes more likely. Above all, however, women find it annoying when the menstrual period does not end, because this restricts them in everyday life.
treatment and therapy
The therapy depends on the underlying cause on the one hand, but also on the patient’s desire to have children. Some methods, such as removing the uterus or taking hormones, can prevent you from starting a family. It is therefore important to have concrete plans before starting therapy. Existing polyps and fibroids can be reduced with medication. If the tissue changes do not respond to drug treatment or if they have reached a certain size, it is also possible to surgically remove them.
Whether an operation is an option also depends on the location of the growths. If a tissue sample shows that the tumor is malignant, chemotherapy and possibly an operation are started immediately in most cases. If the causes are not organic, hormone preparations are often used. These usually involve a combination of estrogen and progestin, which is taken throughout the cycle.
In obesity , the ultimate goal of treatment is to reduce the patient’s weight. The cycle often levels off on its own after a more moderate weight has been reached, without the need for further therapy. If the symptoms do not decrease despite treatment, there is still the option of removing the uterus. After undergoing such an operation, women no longer menstruate. However, this procedure has an impact on the hormonal balance on the one hand, and on the other hand it is then no longer possible to give birth to children.
prevention
A permanent rule can only be prevented to a limited extent. Polyps, fibroids and tumors can be hereditary, which is why it is impossible to influence their development. The same applies to hormone fluctuations during menopause or at any other stage in life. Still, it is helpful and important to achieve or maintain an appropriate weight. A healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and sufficient consumption of fresh food has a supportive effect. In addition, increased mental stress should be limited as much as possible.
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.