What is menorrhagia?

Are you tired of having to constantly worry about purchasing tampons and pads? Do you feel like your period could fill up the ocean? It’s time to talk about menorrhagia. We’ll explain what it is, why it happens, and what options are available for managing your symptoms.

Definition of Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia is a menstrual condition characterized by heavy bleeding that lasts longer than seven days. If your periods have clots in them or if you’re changing your pad or tampon every hour or so, then there’s a good chance that you’re experiencing menorrhagia.

Real Talk About Blood Loss

Let’s face it – no one really likes talking about blood loss. But when it comes to the amount of blood lost during menstruation, we need to discuss how much is too much. The average person loses around 30-40 milliliters of blood per period cycle. However, those with menorrhagia can experience significantly more blood loss – sometimes as much as 80 milliliters per cycle! That’s enough to make even Dracula turn his nose up.

Causes of Menorrhagia

There are many potential causes of menorrhagia which include:

  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Endometriosis
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
  • Polyps on the lining of uterus
  • Adenomyosis

If any of these topics sound completely foreign to you, don’t fret! We’ve got explanations for all these medical jargon words coming right up.

Hormonal Imbalances: Why Can’t Our Bodies Just Get Along?

Hormones are like tiny wizards inside our bodies controlling everything from mood swings to our metabolism (and unfortunately they never made an appearance at Hogwarts). When hormones become unbalanced, it can lead to menorrhagia. Sometimes hormonal imbalances occur naturally during adolescence, pregnancy or menopause, but they can also occur due to other medical conditions.

Uterine Fibroids: No Relation to the Jedi Order

Uterine fibroids are tumors that grow within the uterus. However, rest assured that these tumors are almost always benign (i.e., not cancerous). These growths affect between 20-80% of individuals who have a uterus and they’ve been known to cause issues as exciting as bloating and pain – lucky us!

Endometriosis: It’s Not Just a Long Word in Scrabble

Endometriosis is when tissue grows outside of the uterus which isn’t intended – sort of like someone trying to play soccer with ballet shoes. This condition affects around 10% of people who menstruate and while it may seem harmless, it can make periods more painful than being told your Hogwarts letter got lost in the mail.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): A Disease With All The Fun Of The Plague

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that occurs in one or more reproductive organs including ovaries and fallopian tubes. While it sounds pretty bad already, PID has an even darker side effect – scarring! Yes folks! Scarring can happen inside your body where you never see what’s going on until one day you figure out that there’s now room for stuff like uteruses causing a hotter mess than Star Wars canon right now.

Polyps on the lining of uterus: Think Gerbil Babies Without Actually Having Them

Polyps are little bumps on things like skin or mucus membranes, however polyps located near the cervix or endometrium (the inner surface layer of the uterus) could be responsible for heavy bleeding caused by those darn gerbil babies cough we mean polyps.

Adenomyosis: When Uterus Lining Decides to Relax Where It Shouldn’t

Adenomyosis occurs when the inner lining of the uterus grows into the muscle part of the uterus. This can cause heavy, painful periods and even create a swollen belly ‒ no one wants people suspecting they’re expecting only actual baby in sight is that extra helping of pizza!

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Menorrhagia

If you think you may be experiencing menorrhagia, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible. They’ll probably ask about your menstrual cycle and any other symptoms you might have — cramping, abdominal or pelvic pain or nausea due to hunkering over toilets all day long from bleeding so much.

Diagnostic Tests

To diagnose menorrhagia your healthcare professional will perform some/all of these tests:
– Pap test/exam
– Pelvic exam
– Blood tests
– Imaging (ultrasound)

Medical Management

There are several medical options available for those with menorrhagia such as:

Hormonal therapy

Hormones like progesterone taken in specific forms reduce uterine bleeding.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Drugs like ibuprofen which are regularly taken for period pains help minimize blood loss too.

Tranexamic acid

This medication slows down/decreases clot breakdown time making it easier for clotted blood to stay put inside our bodies where it belongs.

Oral contraceptives

Birth control pills contain hormones that regulate menstruation hence prevent excessive bleeding in form-menstrual-cycle-wise! Until newer males figure their own birth control out sips tea.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists

Intriguingly titled these GnRH this option reduces estrogen production by putting ovaries on vacation-mode.

Inserting a progesterone IUD

Inserting an intrauterine device with (progesterone-coated) menorrhagic properties is another treatment option because who doesn’t love having something wedged inside them.

Surgical Alternatives

Surgery options for those experiencing Menorrhagia include:

Endometrial ablation

A procedure in which the lining of the uterus is removed to reduce menstrual bleeding.

Uterine artery embolization

Literally what it sounds like! Small pellets or clots are shot into your uterius arteries making it difficult for blood flow and hence reducing menorrhagia.

Hysterectomy

Complete surgical removal… of our dear uterus sobs

Conclusion

Menorrhagia can be tough to live with, but there are many treatment options available that can help manage symptoms so you don’t have to resemble a walking tampon commercial this prime summer beach season! Whether hormonal therapy, medication or surgery –our healthcare professionals will offer support and management strategies tailored individually. So if heavy periods are weighing you down make sure you follow through on seeking professional advice; finally some good news that doesn’t expire upon hearing “the amount due” at checkout.

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