Heavy Menstrual Period – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Heavy menstrual period conditions are widespread these days among women. This physical condition is also called Menorrhagia and can cause severe physical discomfort, thus impacting daily life. Heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to fatigue, cramps, and emotional distress. Some of the common causes for Menorrhagia are hormonal changes, endometriosis, adhesions, adenomyosis, hypothyrodism, PCOS, fibroids, polyps, inflammation, and cancer.

Causes of Heavy Menstrual Period

Causes may vary from one individual to another and in some scenarios, the exact reason behind abnormally heavy bleeding remains unidentified. However, the most common causes of heavy menstrual bleeding are listed and explained below: 

• Hormonal imbalances: It is one of the most common causes that results in heavy mestrual period. Some women experience imbalances in mammalian hormones progesterone and estrogen. These hormones may create improper thickness in the uterine lining which ultimately leads to heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Uterine fibroids: In some women, nanocancerous cells develop in and around the uterus region. These nancancerous fibroids can cause excessive menstrual bleeding.
• Endometriosis: This is a medical condition where uterine tissues start to grow outside the uterus, resulting in heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle.
• Adenomyosis: In some women, the uterine lining starts to grow into the muscular walls of the uterus. It can be a painful condition and leads to very high amount of bleeding during menstrual period.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): If there is some infection in or around the reproductive organs of a female, she may face heavy menstrual period.
• Pregnancy-related issues: Women who have already suffered from pregnancy related issues like miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or molar pregnancy stand a chance to expereince heavy bleeding during menstrual cycle.
• Bleeding disorders: Sometimes, there can be blood clots forming inside the uterus that may lead to excessive pain and bleeding during the menstrual cycle.
• Medications: Intake of certain medications like hormonal contraceptives and blood thinners can cause adverse effect on menstrual cycle and may lead to heavy bleeding.
• Underlying medical conditions: In some instances, it is seen that thyroid disorders, kidney diseases, liver conditions, and even cervical cancer results in heavy menstrual period.

Symptoms of Heavy Menstrual Periods

How would you determine heavy menstrual bleeding from normal period bleeding? Although this can be a subjective scenario, certain symptoms can help you identify heavy menstrual period. Have a look at those below:

• Passing of blood clots more frequently during the cycle
• Sanitary pads required to change every 12 hours
• Soaking through one or more sanitary pad per hour for several consecutive hours
• Menstrual bleeding continues even after seven days
• Experiencing weakness, pale skin, and fatigue that may indicate iron-deficiency anemia

However, you must understand that body functional aspects vary from one woman to another. Henceforth, it is recommended to consult Dr. Preeti Rastogi, the best gynecologist in Gurgaon in case you experience any of the above symptoms. 

Treatment for Heavy Menstrual Periods

As already mentioned, if you are experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, please consult a leading obstetrician and gynecologist to get the best medical advice on your condition. The treatment process can vary from one woman to another based on her overall physical condition. According to Dr.Preeti Rastogi, heavy pain and bleeding during the menstrual cycle can be addressed through some lifestyle changes like maintaining a certain balanced diet, proper workout, and leading a healthy life. However, in some women, the condition may not be improved without proper medical intervention. Some of the common treatment options for heavy menstrual period are:

• Medications: An medical expert may suggest certain hormonal medications like NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), progestins, and birth control pills to reduce the bleeding.
• Uterine fibroid management: Treatment for women diagnosed with uterine fibroids will depend on the location and size of the fibroids. Initially, the doctor will suggest medications to dissolve the fibroids. If the results are not much visible, the doctor may suggest surgery.
• Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE): This is a nonsurgical medical procedure where a catheter is used to block the supply of blood supply into the uterus region. It is also used to treat heavy uternice fibroids and to stop heavy bleeding post child birth. In some instances, doctor may suggest this option to women diagnosed with adenomyosis.
• Adenomyosis treatment: The most common options to cure adenomyosis is hormonal therapy programs. However, if the condition worsens, doctors also recommend uterine artery embolization, or even surgery.
• Endometriosis treatment: Doctors usually recommend pain medication, followed by certain hormonal therapies and exercises to treat endometriosis conditions in women. In some rare cases, surgical treatment is recommended.
• Iron supplements: If a women is suffering from iron-deficiency anemic condition, the gynecologist will mostly recommend iron supplements to replenish the iron levels.

Even after any of these treatments, a women continues to experience heavy menstrual period, the last resort in treatment would endometrial ablation or hysterectomy. However, you must consult your healthcare professional to understand your condition and discuss about the best treatment options that can be considered. 

When to Seek Medical Attention

Always rush to the best gynecologist near you if you experience persistent pain and heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent complications. By understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for heavy menstrual periods, you can take steps to improve your overall well-being and quality of life. Consult Dr. Preeti Rastogi for any gynecological-related problems for best treatment options.