Menorrhagia is excessive menstrual bleeding. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that it is characterized by soaking through multiple tampons or pads in the course of an hour, for several consecutive hours. Dense blood clots as well as waking throughout the night to change sanitary protection are also common. Menorrhagia is not just an occasional heavy period and may be indicative of certain medical conditions including hormonal imbalance, ovarian dysfunction, uterine fibroids, polyps, or pregnancy complication. Cancer, blood coagulation disorders, and adenomyosis are other issues that may present with menorrhagia, notes Marla Ahlgrimm.
Hormone imbalance is the most common root of menorrhagia, which is more prevalent in adolescent girls and menopause-aged women. Marla Ahlgrimm reports that excessive bleeding may be the result of a menstrual cycle that does not include the release of an egg. Prolonged, extreme menstrual bleeding may trigger other medical concerns. Iron deficiency anemia is common and may be accompanied with fatigue, pale skin, weakness, and a general feeling of malaise. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, menorrhagia induced anemia is often mild to moderate but, in severe cases, can lead to lightheadedness, headaches, and elevated heart rate. Severe pain and cramping accompanying menorrhagia may require prescription pain medications or surgery.
Women who are unable to carry out normal activities due to bleeding should talk to a doctor, who may offer blood tests, Pap smear, biopsy, or ultrasound to determine the root cause of the menorrhagia. Marla Ahlgrimm says treatment is often as simple as iron supplements but may also include oral progesterone, tranexamic acid, or contraceptives. Surgical treatments, which are a last resort, include uterine artery embolization, focused treatment ultrasound, and dilation and curettage (D&C).
