What is Menorrhagia?

The medical term for heavy periods is Menorrhagia. Menorrhagia affects many women, but is difficult to diagnose. One person’s idea of a normal amount of blood loss may be another’s description of Menorrhagia. Also, a woman’s menstrual cycle can last anywhere from three to seven days. The average amount of blood loss during a menstrual cycle is between six to eight teaspoons.

Menorrhagia can be identified by:

• Large blood clots lost during a period requiring you to change your tampon or pad frequently.
• Moderate to severe cramping
• Anemia, which can cause sleepiness, dizziness, shortness of breath, or angina.
• Infertility

Menorrhagia can be caused – among many other things – by:

• The presence of an IUD (Intra Uterine Device)
• Fibroids
• Hormonal imbalances
• Obesity
• Irregular periods
• Ovarian cysts
• Ovarian & Uterine Cancer
• Adenomyosis

Menorrhagia can be diagnosed with a pelvic exam, a pap smear, and occasionally a sample of the uterine lining. Blood may be drawn at a lab to check for anemia and hormone imbalances. Ultrasound and office hysteroscopy may be used to identify causes for the heavy bleeding.

Menorrhagia can be treated in a number of ways, depending on what your doctor determines is the cause. You may be put on oral contraceptives, which regulate your menstrual cycle. Some hormone treatments can cause you to stop having your period altogether. There are medications that can help decrease the level of blood loss. If you are anemic, your doctor will probably have you take extra iron to alleviate the amount of blood loss. In some cases, a hysterectomy is performed. There may be minimally invasive procedures such as removing a polyp or doing an endometrial ablation that may be appropriate. A hospital procedure like hysterectomy may also be deemed necessary.