Heavy Bleeding
The duration and severity of menstrual bleeding vary from woman to woman. Heavy menstrual bleeding is very commonly known to occur in 30% of the women. In case you face such problems, contact the doctor for period problems.
When is your bleeding is considered as heavy bleeding?
- Bleeding that lasts more than 7 days.
- Needing to change pad very frequently to control menstrual flow.
- Needing to change pads during the night.
- Menstrual flow with large blood clots Then you must need to visit a doctor for period problems.
You should see your doctor if you have excessively heavy or prolonged menstrual periods that interfere with your daily life.
Secondary Consequence of heavy bleeding?
Excessive bleeding can cause anemia, or iron deficiency, weakness.
What causes heavy bleeding?
- Fibroids and polyps
- Adenomyosis
- Irregular Ovulation: If you do not ovulate regularly the lining of the uterus can become too thick. It also can occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and hypothyroidism.
- Bleeding Disorders: When the blood does not clot properly, it can cause heavy bleeding.
- Medications: Blood thinners and aspirin can cause heavy menstrual bleeding. The copper intrauterine device (IUD) can cause heavier menstrual bleeding, especially during the first year of use.
- Cancer: Heavy menstrual bleeding can be an early sign of endometrial cancer. Most cases of endometrial cancer are diagnosed in postmenopausal women. Other causes Endometriosis Pelvic inflammatory disease also can cause heavy menstrual bleeding.
How is heavy menstrual bleeding evaluated?
What tests and exams may be used to evaluate heavy menstrual bleeding?
- You will have a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. Several laboratory tests may be done. You may have a pregnancy test and tests for some sexually transmitted infections. Based on your symptoms and your age, additional tests may be needed:
- Ultrasound exam: Sound waves are used to take a picture of the pelvic organs.
- Hysteroscopy: A thin, lighted scope is inserted into the uterus through the opening of the cervix. It allows your ob-gyn to see the inside of the uterus.
- Endometrial biopsy: A sample of the endometrium is removed and looked at under a microscope. Sometimes hysteroscopy is used to guide this test. A surgical procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C) is another way this test can be done.
- Sonohysterography: Radiolucent dye is pushed in the uterus through a thin tube while ultrasound images are made of the uterus.
Management of heavy bleeding?
Hormone therapy in the form of Oral contraceptive pills are often the first line of treatment for heavy bleeding . Heavy bleeding caused by problems with ovulation, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and fibroids often can be managed with certain hormonal birth control methods. Depending on the type, these methods can lighten menstrual flow, help make periods more regular, or even stop bleeding completely.
Tranexamic acid is a prescription medication that treats heavy menstrual bleeding. It comes in a tablet and is taken each month at the start of the menstrual period.
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, also may help control heavy bleeding and relieve menstrual cramps. If you have a bleeding disorder, your treatment may include special medications to help your blood clot.
If the cause of irregular vaginal bleeding is polyps or other benign growths, these are sometimes removed surgically to control bleeding because they cannot be treated with medication.
Antibiotics if the cause of heavy bleeding is an infection.
Endometriosis can be treated with medications or laparoscopy. Visit Dr. Deepika Doshi who is the best doctor for all your period problems.
Dilation and curettage (D&C) - Sometimes, the cause of excessive bleeding is not apparent after completion of testing. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is irregular uterine bleeding that occurs in the absence of recognizable pelvic pathology
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is excessive and cannot be controlled by medication, a surgical procedure of D and C called may be necessary. In addition to alleviating the excessive bleeding D&C provides tissue that can be analyzed for additional information that can rule out abnormalities of the lining of the uterus.
Which procedures can be used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding?
- If medication does not reduce your bleeding, a surgical procedure may be needed and for that you need a good doctor for period problems.
- Endometrial ablation destroys the lining of the uterus. It stops or reduces menstrual bleeding.
- Endometrial ablation should be considered only after medication or other therapies have not worked.
- Hysterectomy may be required when all modalities fail.
The duration and severity of menstrual bleeding vary from woman to woman. Heavy menstrual bleeding is very commonly known to occur in 30% of the women. In case you face such problems, contact the doctor for period problems.
When is your bleeding is considered as heavy bleeding?
- Bleeding that lasts more than 7 days.
- Needing to change pad very frequently to control menstrual flow.
- Needing to change pads during the night.
- Menstrual flow with large blood clots Then you must need to visit a doctor for period problems.
You should see your doctor if you have excessively heavy or prolonged menstrual periods that interfere with your daily life.
Secondary Consequence of heavy bleeding?
Excessive bleeding can cause anemia, or iron deficiency, weakness.
What causes heavy bleeding?
- Fibroids and polyps
- Adenomyosis
- Irregular Ovulation: If you do not ovulate regularly the lining of the uterus can become too thick. It also can occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and hypothyroidism.
- Bleeding Disorders: When the blood does not clot properly, it can cause heavy bleeding.
- Medications: Blood thinners and aspirin can cause heavy menstrual bleeding. The copper intrauterine device (IUD) can cause heavier menstrual bleeding, especially during the first year of use.
- Cancer: Heavy menstrual bleeding can be an early sign of endometrial cancer. Most cases of endometrial cancer are diagnosed in postmenopausal women. Other causes Endometriosis Pelvic inflammatory disease also can cause heavy menstrual bleeding.
Cause is unknown in about 40% of the cases
How is heavy menstrual bleeding evaluated?
- Past and present illnesses and surgical procedures
- Pregnancy History
- Medications including contraceptive use
- Your gynecologist will want to know detailed information about several menstrual cycles, including the dates that your period started, how long bleeding lasted, and the amount of flow (light, medium, heavy, or spotting).
What tests and exams may be used to evaluate heavy menstrual bleeding?
- You will have a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. Several laboratory tests may be done. You may have a pregnancy test and tests for some sexually transmitted infections. Based on your symptoms and your age, additional tests may be needed:
- Ultrasound exam: Sound waves are used to take a picture of the pelvic organs.
- Hysteroscopy: A thin, lighted scope is inserted into the uterus through the opening of the cervix. It allows your ob-gyn to see the inside of the uterus.
- Endometrial biopsy: A sample of the endometrium is removed and looked at under a microscope. Sometimes hysteroscopy is used to guide this test. A surgical procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C) is another way this test can be done.
- Sonohysterography: Radiolucent dye is pushed in the uterus through a thin tube while ultrasound images are made of the uterus.
Management of heavy bleeding?
Hormone therapy in the form of Oral contraceptive pills are often the first line of treatment for heavy bleeding . Heavy bleeding caused by problems with ovulation, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and fibroids often can be managed with certain hormonal birth control methods. Depending on the type, these methods can lighten menstrual flow, help make periods more regular, or even stop bleeding completely.
Tranexamic acid is a prescription medication that treats heavy menstrual bleeding. It comes in a tablet and is taken each month at the start of the menstrual period.
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, also may help control heavy bleeding and relieve menstrual cramps. If you have a bleeding disorder, your treatment may include special medications to help your blood clot.
If the cause of irregular vaginal bleeding is polyps or other benign growths, these are sometimes removed surgically to control bleeding because they cannot be treated with medication.
Antibiotics if the cause of heavy bleeding is an infection.
Endometriosis can be treated with medications or laparoscopy.
Visit Dr. Deepika Doshi who is the best doctor for all your period problems.
Dilation and curettage (D&C) – Sometimes, the cause of excessive bleeding is not apparent after completion of testing. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is irregular uterine bleeding that occurs in the absence of recognizable pelvic pathology
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is excessive and cannot be controlled by medication, a surgical procedure of D and C called may be necessary. In addition to alleviating the excessive bleeding D&C provides tissue that can be analyzed for additional information that can rule out abnormalities of the lining of the uterus.
Which procedures can be used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding?
- If medication does not reduce your bleeding, a surgical procedure may be needed and for that, you need a good doctor for period problems.
- Endometrial ablation destroys the lining of the uterus. It stops or reduces menstrual bleeding.
- Endometrial ablation should be considered only after medication or other therapies have not worked.
- Hysterectomy may be required when all modalities fail.
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