What is menorrhagia?
Menorrhagia, meaning excessive blood loss during menstruation, is a common problem. The bleeding may be prolonged, lasting 8–10 days each month, with significant blood loss that can lead to anemia, often accompanied by blood clots and episodes of “flooding,” meaning sudden and unexpected heavy bleeding that is frequently described as if a tap has been turned on.
What are the main causes?
Often, there is no obvious explanation for menorrhagia, and such episodes of bleeding are referred to as “dysfunctional uterine bleeding.” In younger women, menorrhagia is most commonly due to a temporary hormonal imbalance, which usually resolves on its own. As a woman approaches menopause, menorrhagia may again indicate a hormonal disturbance. However, the likelihood that it is caused by another underlying condition increases with age. Other causes of menorrhagia include fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and endometrial polyps.
What is the appropriate treatment for immediate management?
The management of menorrhagia can be achieved through various methods, ranging from conservative treatment (with hormonal or non-hormonal medications) to different forms of surgical treatment (such as endometrial ablation and hysterectomy).
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