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What is Heavy Menstrual Bleeding?

Madeleine A.
Madeleine A.

Heavy menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia refers to menstrual bleeding that is either prolonged or excessive or sometimes both. Frequently, heavy menstrual bleeding is seen in women who are premenopausal, but it can occur at any age. It is not uncommon for a woman to experience a few heavy menstrual bleeding episodes. Repeated incidences of menorrhagia, however, should be medically evaluated to rule out abnormal gynecological conditions.

Typical causes of heavy menstrual bleeding include uterine fibroids, which are benign uterine tumors. Fibroid tumors may cause excessive or prolonged bleeding and may be accompanied by abdominal cramps and backache. In addition, hormonal imbalances may cause the lining of the uterus to thicken. When this occurs, shedding of the lining may cause heavy menstrual bleeding. Sometimes uterine polyps may cause abnormal menstrual bleeding. These occur most often because of elevated hormone levels.

Heavy menstrual bleeding may be accompanied by abdominal cramps.
Heavy menstrual bleeding may be accompanied by abdominal cramps.

Frequently, medications can contribute to heavy menstrual bleeding. Medications such as aspirin or anticoagulants can thin the blood, contributing to heavy menstrual blood flow. Heavy bleeding may also signal a complication of pregnancy. Rarely, ectopic pregnancies can cause heavy menstrual bleeding. In addition, certain bleeding disorders that do not allow the blood to clot properly may promote menorrhagia.

Heavy menstrual bleeding may cause extreme fatigue.
Heavy menstrual bleeding may cause extreme fatigue.

It is very important to get a physical examination that includes a pap smear and a pelvic examination to determine the cause of heavy menstrual bleeding. Sometimes excessive blood loss during the menstrual period may be related to uterine, cervical or ovarian cancer. Blood loss can sometimes be so great that the patient may become severely anemic. When severe anemia occurs, the patient may experience extreme fatigue, dizziness and heart palpitations.

Hormonal imbalances may cause the lining of the uterus to thicken, leading to heavy menstrual bleeding.
Hormonal imbalances may cause the lining of the uterus to thicken, leading to heavy menstrual bleeding.

Generally, during a physical examination, the physician will inquire about past and present illnesses, medications and family history. In addition, the patient may undergo further testing, such as blood tests and thyroid tests. A diagnosis of hypothyroidism can frequently cause heavy bleeding during menstrual periods. In addition to blood tests, other diagnostic tests may include a pelvic ultrasound and an endometrial biopsy.

A woman with heavy menstrual cycles should consult her gynecologist.
A woman with heavy menstrual cycles should consult her gynecologist.

Common treatments for heavy, abnormal menstrual periods may include hormones and iron supplementation. A dilation and curettage or D and C, where tissue is removed from the uterus, may reduce heavy bleeding. Sometimes, endometrial ablation may be performed to ablate the lining of the uterus and decrease blood flow. In extreme cases, the physician may recommend a hysterectomy which will cause the patient to undergo surgical menopause, resulting in complete termination of menstrual periods.

Discussion Comments

literally45

@fify-- It's not surprised that thyroid problems cause menstrual changes. All of our hormones are related. When one goes out of balance, it affects all the other hormones too.

fify

@ddljohn-- Oh wow, I take fish oil supplements sometimes too. Thanks for mentioning that.

Heat has the same affect on me. Some people like to put a hot compress on their stomach during periods to relieve pain. But for some reason, heat makes me bleed more.

As far as I know, thyroid problems cause changes in menstruation too. My sister had hypothyroidism for a while and she used to get irregular, heavy menstrual bleeding during that time.

ddljohn

I had abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding this month. Now that I think about it, I had been taking fish oil supplements and vitamin E before my period. I believe fish oil has blood thinning properties just like aspirin. That's probably why I had more bleeding.

I'm going to avoid all supplements around the time of my period from now on.

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    • Heavy menstrual bleeding may be accompanied by abdominal cramps.
      By: Dessie
      Heavy menstrual bleeding may be accompanied by abdominal cramps.
    • Heavy menstrual bleeding may cause extreme fatigue.
      By: Antonioguillem
      Heavy menstrual bleeding may cause extreme fatigue.
    • Hormonal imbalances may cause the lining of the uterus to thicken, leading to heavy menstrual bleeding.
      By: blueringmedia
      Hormonal imbalances may cause the lining of the uterus to thicken, leading to heavy menstrual bleeding.
    • A woman with heavy menstrual cycles should consult her gynecologist.
      By: Zsolnai Gergely
      A woman with heavy menstrual cycles should consult her gynecologist.
    • Benign tumors called uterine fibroids are a common cause of heavy menstrual bleeding.
      By: rob3000
      Benign tumors called uterine fibroids are a common cause of heavy menstrual bleeding.
    • A single heavy period is not necessarily a cause for concern.
      By: picsfive
      A single heavy period is not necessarily a cause for concern.