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Menorrhagia (abnormal uterine bleeding)
How long does a normal menstruation last in comparison to Menorrhagia?
Blood loss that is greater than 80 ml (5.5 tablespoons) or lasting longer than seven days can be classified as Menorrhagia.
See a physician if you are experiencing a lot of blood loss or if bleeding does not stop within seven days.
WHAT CAUSES MENORRHAGIA?
- Pregnancy complications
- Inherited bleeding disorders
- Cancer
- Fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Hormone imbalance
- Dysfunction of ovaries
- Polyps
WHAT CURES MENORRHAGIA?
Menorrhagia is treatable with medicine or surgical therapies that include a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). Surgery would be the last resort unless the Menorrhagia is very severe.
WHAT ARE OTHER SYMPTOMS OF MENORRHAGIA BESIDES HEAVY BLEEDING?
- Soaking through more than one pad or tampon every hour for several hours
- Passing blood clots larger than a quarter
- Not being able to do daily activities due to menstrual flow
- Symptoms of anemia such as tiredness, fatigue, or shortness of breath
HOW MANY WOMEN GET MENORRHAGIA?
Approximately 10 million women a year are diagnosed with Menorrhagia.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS FOR UNTREATED MENORRHAGIA?
Anemia is the most common side-effect of having Menorrhagia. Anemia is caused by the loss of too many red blood cells. Red blood cells carry protein and oxygen to tissues in the body. A lack of red blood cells causes a lack of protein and oxygen, essential to the body. There is also a deficiency in iron when the body is trying to make more red blood cells, and this leads to anemia.
Signs and symptoms of anemia are as follows:
- Pale skin
- Weakness
- Fatigue
Severe pain is also a side-effect of Menorrhagia. The pain is caused by cramping that can sometimes require medical attention, depending on the severity of the pain and frequency of it.
IS MENORRHAGIA ASSOCIATED WITH INFERTILITY?
Menorrhagia maybe associated with infertility in the following circumstances:
- Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
- Menorrhagia caused by cancer
- Adenomyosis (similar to endometriosis but harder to diagnose because it is under the uterine wall, however, it will not allow an embryo to implant in the uterine wall.
- Scar tissue from surgery for Menorrhagia
- Hormone balancing issues
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Endometriosis
- Anemia that’s untreated
A physician can determine if Menorrhagia has caused infertility or if it is caused by cancer.
HOW IS MENORRHAGIA DIAGNOSED?
- Blood tests-evaluate iron deficiency, thyroid disorders, or blood clotting abnormalities
- Pap test- evaluate cells from the cervix for infection, inflammation, or cancer
- Endometrial biopsy- tissue samples taken from the uterus
- Ultrasound-images to view the uterus, ovaries, and pelvis
- Further test include sonohysterography (fluid injected into the uterus and ultra sound used to evaluate) or hysteroscopy (insertion of a lighted instrument into the uterus to see the inside)
Contact your local URA clinic in Hasbrouck Heights, Hoboken, and Wayne, NJ for more information. Your friendly URA team will be happy to provide more details on Menorrhagia and discuss treatment options.
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