Abnormal or prolonged menstrual bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, is a common concern among many women. This is because, with menorrhagia, you will not be able to carry out your everyday routines due to cramping and heavy blood loss. In some cases, women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding spend the entire duration of their period at home, leading to lost productivity. Fortunately, the best obstetrics & gynecology in Forest Hills offer numerous effective treatments for menorrhagia.
Causes of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
There are few cases where the cause of menorrhagia is not known, but there are a number of causes that can contribute to heavy menstrual bleeding, such as:
· Hormone Imbalance
Naturally, the balance between the hormones progesterone and estrogen regulates the buildup of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), which sheds off during the menstrual cycle. If any of these hormones are imbalanced, the endometrium will excessively accumulate and later shed heavily as prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding occurs.
· Uterine Fibroids or Polyps
Uterine fibroids are small, noncancerous growths on the endometrium that may result in abnormal or heavy menstrual bleeding. Moreover, uterine polyps are benign tumors on the uterus that may cause prolonged menstrual bleeding.
· Ovary Dysfunction
In case your eggs do not ovulate during your menstrual cycle, your body will not produce the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for your normal menstrual bleeding, resulting in menorrhagia.
· Pregnancy Complications
There are numerous reasons behind heavy bleeding during pregnancy. For example, it may be due to a miscarriage or the abnormal location of your placentae, such as a placenta previa or a low-lying placenta.
· Intrauterine Device (IUD)
Using non-hormonal intrauterine devices for birth control is accompanied by some side effects, including menorrhagia, which is the most common.
Symptoms of Menorrhagia
The following are some of the common signs and symptoms of abnormal menstrual bleeding:
- Shortness of breath, fatigue, anemia, and tiredness.
- Trouble performing your daily activities due to cramping.
- Prolonged bleeding.
- Soaking more than a sanitary pad or tampons for several consecutive hours.
- Frequently change your sanitary pads during the night.
- Need to use double sanitary pads to control your excessive menstrual bleeding.
- Abnormal discharging of blood clots.
When Should You See a Doctor?
It is recommended that you immediately contact your healthcare provider or doctor if you happen to experience any of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting or nausea during your menstrual cycle.
- Irregular menstrual cycles.
- Excessive vaginal bleeding after menopause.
- High fever.
- Abnormal abdominal pains during or between your periods.
- A foul-smelling or unusual vaginal discharge.
- Prolonged menstrual periods lasting for more than a week.
- Unusual soaking of more than one sanitary protection every 2-3 hours.
- Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome, such as dizziness, diarrhea, fainting, or fever over 102°C.
Conclusion
It is normal for women to experience irregular, heavy, or abnormal menstrual periods at some point in their lives. But, if it extends for more than a week and affects your daily routines, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention. It could be a sign of a severe gynecological problem. Dr. Levy, who works at the Manhattan and Queens offices, will make sure to provide you with a long-lasting solution to your heavy menstrual periods. His effective treatment procedures include Myomectomies, Endometrial Ablation, NOVASURE, Hormonal medical management, or Laparoscopy.