Abnormal Menstrual Bleeding
Menstrual periods where bleeding is abnormally heavy or prolonged may be signs of a condition known as menorrhagia. Typically, menstrual cycles that are longer than 35 days or shorter than 21 days are considered abnormal.
In the case of menorrhagia, symptoms also include:
- Frequently bleeding through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every few hours
- Needing to change sanitary protection during the night
- Bleeding for more than seven days
- Presence of large blood clots in menstrual flow
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Anemia
Causes
Abnormal bleeding can have many causes. At Aracea Women’s Care in Denver, Colorado our team of gynecology (GYN) experts examine both common, age group-specific problems and more complex conditions with each woman we see. For menorrhagia, causes may include:
- Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
- Hormonal imbalance
- Fibroids and uterine polyps
- Birth control complications including problems with a non-hormonal intrauterine device (IUD)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Uterine, ovarian, or cervical cancer
- Blood thinning medications
- Liver, kidney, or thyroid disease and bleeding or platelet disorders.
Treatment
Treatment of abnormal menstrual bleeding depends on the cause, a patient’s age, desire to have children and other personal factors. At Aracea Women’s Care our gynecological specialists offer treatments ranging from observation and medication to corrective surgery.
Medication and Observation
- Hormone therapy to correct hormonal imbalances. Often administered through birth control pills, hormone injection, vaginal cream, or via intrauterine device (IUD).
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen to reduce blood loss and ease pain symptoms.
Surgical Options
- Hysteroscopy – a procedure that uses a long, thin remove fibroids or other growths that are causing menorrhagia.
- Endometrial ablation – a procedure where the lining of the uterus is removed or destroyed.
- Hysterectomy – a surgical procedure that removes the uterus and cervix.
