Menorrhagia

What is menorrhagia?

Menorrhagia is heavy menstrual bleeding. Normally bleeding lasts up to 7 days. If your periods are longer than that or you are passing large clots or needing to change pads or tampons every 1-2 hours your bleeding might be too heavy.

If you have frequent heavy periods you may become anaemic. You may be feeling weak or lethargic, light headed or experience heart palpitations.

What are causes of menorrhagia?

There are many causes such as hormonal irregularities, fibroids, blood disorders, cancer of the uterus

What tests do I need?

Tests depends on your age and risk factors. Your doctor may perform:

·        Blood tests to check your haemoglobin and iron, hormonal status, check for bleeding disorders

·        Pelvic ultrasound to detect any abnormalities such as endometrial polyps, thickened inner lining of uterus, fibroids, tubal and ovarian abnormalities

·        Endometrial sampling

What is available treatment?

Treatment depends on the cause of your menorrhagia and also on your family planning circumstances. It may involve medications which thicken your blood and slow down bleeding, hormonal medications which affect ovaries or inner lining of the womb or both, and various surgical procedures.