MENORRHAGIA

Menorrhagia has various types:

• Polymenorrhea means that there is too frequent menstruation.
• Oligomenorrhea means that there are infrequent or light menstrual cycles
• Metrorrhagia is irregular or acyclic bleeding which is unrelated from the menstrual period and which is from the uterus. It is also known as bleeding between menstrual periods
• Postmenopausal bleeding is any bleeding that lasts for more than 6 months after the last normal menstrual period at menopause

Signs and symptoms of menorrhagia include:

• Soaking one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several hours
• Needing to use double sanitary protection to control your menstrual flow
• Needing to wake up to change sanitary protection during the night
• Bleeding for longer than a week
• Passing blood clots larger than a quarter
• Restricting daily activities due to heavy menstrual flow
• Symptoms of anemia, such as tiredness, fatigue or shortness of breath

DIAGNOSIS

The doctor will ask about your medical history and your menstrual cycles. You will be able to note down your bleeding and nonbleeding days, as well as how heavy your flow was.

Tests may also be done such as:

• Complete blood count
• Pap test
• Endometrial biopsy
• Ultrasound
• Sonohysterography
• Hysteroscopy

MEDICATIONS/TREATMENT

The doctor will treat you based on your overall health as well as the cause and severity of your medical condition.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be given for pain and for reducing menstrual blood loss.
• Tranexamic acid can help reduce menstrual blood loss.
• Oral contraceptives can help regulate menstrual cycles.
• Oral progesterone can help correct hormone imbalance
• Hormonal IUD can decrease menstrual blood flow and cramping.