Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia refers to abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding that interferes with a woman's quality of life, requiring frequent changes of sanitary protection and sometimes leading to anemia. It's important to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available for managing this condition effectively.

Hormonal Imbalance: Imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels can affect the regularity and duration of menstrual bleeding.
Uterine Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding.
Adenomyosis: When the tissue that normally lines the uterus begins to grow into the muscular walls of the uterus, leading to heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
Endometrial Polyps: Overgrowth of cells in the lining of the uterus.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Infections of the reproductive organs that can cause inflammation and bleeding.

Symptoms

Symptoms of menorrhagia may include:

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Bleeding that requires frequent changes of pads or tampons, soaking through one or more sanitary products in an hour, or passing blood clots.
Prolonged Periods: Menstrual periods lasting longer than 7 days.
Fatigue: Due to iron-deficiency anemia caused by excessive blood loss.
Pelvic Pain or Cramping: Especially if associated with conditions like fibroids or adenomyosis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing menorrhagia involves:

Medical History: Detailed discussion about menstrual patterns and associated symptoms.
Physical Examination: Including a pelvic exam to check for any abnormalities.
Blood Tests: To check for anemia and assess hormone levels.
Ultrasound: Imaging test to examine the uterus and ovaries for any structural abnormalities.
Endometrial Biopsy: A procedure to sample the lining of the uterus to check for abnormal cells or hormonal imbalances.

Treatment

Treatment for menorrhagia depends on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, and the woman’s reproductive goals:

Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to reduce menstrual bleeding and relieve pain.
Hormonal Therapy: Birth control pills, hormone-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs), or hormone therapy to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce bleeding.
Surgical Procedures: Dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove excess tissue from the uterus, endometrial ablation to destroy the lining of the uterus, or hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) in severe cases.