How to Treat Menorrhagia
Some women experience excessive bleeding during their menstrual periods. This condition is called Menorrhagia. Heavy bleeding, it not treated correctly may put yout at risk of many complications. Here are some things you should know to treat Menorrhagia.
Symptoms
The normal blood loss during menstruation is about 30 - 44 milliliters. A blood loss of 81 milliliters or more is considered excessive and should be treated.
Menstrual flow that soaks more than one sanitary pad in less than 60 minutes for consecutive hours.
Menstruation that lasts for more than a week
Menstrual flow with big clotted blood
Fatigue and shortness of breath
Causes
Hormonal imbalance may cause Menorrhagia. If there is an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone, your endometrium, the lining of your uterus that is shed off during menstruation, may thicken too much, leading to excessive bleeding.
Dysfunctional ovaries are likely to result to hormonal imbalance, which would cause excessive bleeding.
Polyps may also cause excessive bleeding.
The presence of benign tumors called Uterine Fibroids can also lead to excessive menstrual bleeding
Menorrhagia may also happen as an effect of your use of an intrauterine device (IUD).
Bleeding disorders can also cause this condition. If you don’t know whether you have a family history of any bleeding disorder and you’re bleeding excessively during menstruation, consult your doctor.
There are some medications that can make you bleed more. Anti-coagulants and anti-inflammatory drugs can cause heavy bleeding.
Medications
Iron supplements. Excessive loss of blood may lead to anemia. Your doctor may prescribe iron supplements that will help increase your iron levels.
Nonsteroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) help reduce blood loss and relieve menstrual cramps.
Hormone therapy treat hormone imbalance problems. Progesterone is usually taken for 10 day for each menstrual cycle.
Surgical Procedures
If medications don’t work, doctors usually do any of the following procedures to treat menorrhagia.
Dilatation and Curettage (D & C). The cervix is dilated and the surface of your uterine lining is scraped off. This will lessen bleeding on your menstrual period.
Hysteroscopy is usually done to aid in the removal of polyps or benign tumors.
Endometrial ablation permanently damages your uterine lining. After this procedure, you may or may not have your period anymore.
Home Care
Rest. Stress may be one of the factors for your excessive bleeding. Also, when your bleeding too much, it’s improtant that you have sufficient rest to avoid fatigue.
Don’t take Aspirin. This medicine would make you more prone to bleeding.
Count the number of pads you consume in a day so you’ll be able to tell your doctor how much you’re bleeding.