Heavy Bleeding During Periods (Menorrhagia) Causes
Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS
Introduction
It’s typical to have a couple of days with a lot of flow at the start of your period. We’ve all accidentally soaked through a tampon or found a few blood clots on our pads at night.
Heavy bleeding during periods, also known as menorrhagia, can be a challenging and sometimes distressing condition for those who experience it. Menorrhagia is characterized by excessive and prolonged bleeding during menstrual cycles.
Continue reading to learn more about possible causes of menorrhagia, how to distinguish between normal and excessive menstrual bleeding, potential treatments, and more.
What else can trigger your painful periods? How can normal and serious menstrual bleeding be distinguished? And what are the therapies?
How do you know if you are having menorrhagia?
If you need to change the pad in less than 2 hours, then you should see a doctor.
If you ignore this, you are likely to develop anemia, which is dangerous for your health.
Long menstrual cycles or excessive bleeding on periods can be symptoms of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).
In some instances, the cause may not be known. It’s important to see a doctor if you are experiencing heavy bleeding during your periods, as it can lead to anemia and other health complications
- Anaemia can be due to a lower dietary intake of iron and poor absorption of iron.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency: Similar to vitamin B12 deficiency, a lower intake of B12 also causes anemia.
- When you experience excessive bleeding on periods, you may lose more blood and iron than your body can replace, leading to a decrease in red blood cell count and hemoglobin level.
Why do you bleed heavily when you have your period?
The medical name for heavy periods, menorrhagia, has a wide range of causes. The majority of these causes can be treated, which is excellent news. Seeing a doctor is the only way to definitively determine what is causing your heavy periods because every woman’s cycle is different. The following are the most typical causes of heavy periods:
- Lifestyle changes:-Human beings are adaptable, and life changes constantly. Excessive stress might result in heavy bleeding on periods. Hence, it shouldn't come as a surprise that significant changes in your life may have an impact on your cycle.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding is typical after pregnancy or childbirth, as well as during perimenopause, when your body is getting ready to enter menopause.
- Any modifications to your birth control or medicines: One adverse effect of various drugs, particularly blood thinners, is heavy bleeding. Certain birth control methods can shorten or lengthen your menstrual period and increase bleeding. For three to six months, having a copper or hormonal IUD may result in heavier periods. If your period changes after beginning a drug or birth control, consult your doctor.
Having Continuous menstrual periods for months? Visit the doctor now!
A healthcare provider should be consulted if a menstrual period lasts for an extremely long time, such as many months. Such periods are regarded as abnormal. Numerous things, such as hormonal imbalances, uterine abnormalities, specific drugs, thyroid issues, or underlying medical conditions, might result in prolonged or irregular monthly flow.
To identify the reason for the continuous menstrual period and receive the right care, it is crucial to seek medical attention. To identify the underlying cause and provide a personalized treatment plan, the healthcare professional will do a thorough evaluation that may include a physical examination, blood tests, imaging scans, and even a biopsy or other testing.
Symptoms
- Excessive menstrual bleeding lasted longer than usual.
- Need to change sanitary products frequently (more than once every hour).
- Fatigue or tiredness due to increased blood loss.
- Anemia is caused by prolonged and heavy bleeding.
Causes and Risks
- Hormonal fluctuations, especially estrogen, and progesterone, can disrupt your menstrual cycle and lead to heavy bleeding.
- Adenomyosis: This condition occurs when the tissue lining the uterus develops in the muscle wall of the uterus, which can lead to severe bleeding.
- Some medications: Some medications, such as anticoagulants or anti-inflammatories, may help increase menstruation.
- Hereditary hemorrhagic disorders: Conditions such as von Willebrand's disease or platelet function disorders may increase the risk of significant hemorrhage.
Diagnosis
To diagnose the period, healthcare professionals may undertake the following steps:
- Comprehensive medical history assessment, including menstrual history.
- Ultrasound or imaging tests to evaluate the condition of the uterus and pelvic organs
- Endometrial biopsy or hysteroscopy to examine the uterine lining
Prevention
Although heavy periods cannot always be prevented, specific measures may help manage the severity of symptoms:
- Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
- Managing stress levels effectively.
- Taking appropriate hormonal therapies as prescribed by a healthcare professional
- Monitoring menstrual flow and seeking medical advice if abnormal patterns are detected.
Disorder Classification
Abundant bleeding is classified as follows:
- Acute heavy bleeding: Sudden and severe menstrual flow, often requiring immediate medical attention.
- Chronic heavy bleeding: Recurrent heavy bleeding during menstrual cycles over an extended period.
- Intermenstrual heavy bleeding: Bleeding that occurs between menstrual periods
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: Irregular or abnormal uterine bleeding not caused by structural or systemic abnormalities
Steps to Control Bleeding
Managing menorrhagia involves several steps to control and reduce the severity of symptoms:
- Lifestyle modifications: Incorporating a healthy diet, exercise, and stress management techniques
- Medications: Prescribed hormonal therapy (such as oral contraceptives or tranexamic acid) to regulate menstrual cycles and decrease bleeding.
- Surgical interventions: Procedures like endometrial ablation or hysterectomy may be recommended in severe cases or when other treatments have been ineffective.
- Alternative therapies: Some individuals find relief through complementary approaches like acupuncture or herbal remedies, but these should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Clinical Features
Various clinical features may help identify and distinguish it from normal menstrual patterns
Investigation
Healthcare professionals may perform certain tests and examinations to investigate:
- Passage of blood clots larger than a quarter during menstruation.
- Soaking through sanitary protection within an hour
- Needing to use double sanitary protection to control bleeding.
- Restriction of daily activities due to heavy bleeding.
- Blood tests evaluate iron levels and rule out underlying medical conditions.
- Ultrasound or imaging tests assess the condition of the uterus and pelvic organs.
- Endometrial biopsy or hysteroscopy to examine the uterine lining for abnormalities.
- Coagulation Studies to check blood clotting factors
Management
Possible management strategies may include:
- Hormonal therapy to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce bleeding Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate pain and minimize bleeding
- Anemia caused by heavy bleeding can be treated with iron supplements. Surgical interventions, such as endometrial ablation or hysterectomy, for long-term management in severe cases Lifestyle modifications, including stress reduction techniques and dietary changes
Conclusion
Menorrhagia can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life. Understanding the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, prevention measures, disorder classification, steps to control bleeding, clinical features, investigation, and management options can provide valuable insights for individuals experiencing this condition.