WHAT IS MENORRHAGIA? PT 1

Puberty is a developmental phase from which every woman has to go through, and it usually starts in the teenage years. Menorrhagia is a medical term, which is used to describe abnormal periods with heavy bleeding and prolonged periods. However, heavy menstrual bleeding is a common issue and it cannot be always related to menorrhagia. When a girl experiences menorrhagia, she cannot do her usual activities during her period because of severe weakness and cramps. So if you are going through this same condition, then consult with a doctor at the nearest community healthcare center as soon as possible.

Symptoms and Causes

The most common symptoms of menorrhagia include the passing of blood clots rather than a quarter, periods lasting longer than a week, the need to use double sanitary protection and changing pads at night, anemia, shortness of breath, fatigue, and restrictive daily activities due to excessive bleeding. It is also advised to consult a doctor if you are experiencing bleeding between periods, after menopause, or the need to use sanitary pads every other hour, as these symptoms can also be related to menorrhagia.

There are many causes and risk factors, which can lead to the health condition.

• Fibroid location – There are three types of uterine fibroids: intramural fibroids are present within the wall of muscular uterine; submucosal fibroids are present in the cavity of the uterus; while subserosal fibroids are present outside of the uterus. Some submucosal or subserosal fibroids become stalked and hang from inside or outside of the uterus. This can cause menorrhagia in young-adult women and is best diagnosed by a women’s healthcare clinic.
• Uterine polyps – Polyps attach to your uterus by a broad base and can grow up to many centimeters in size. Bleeding after menopause, irregular menstrual bleeding, and bleeding between periods are signs that indicate the presence of uterine polyps.
• Uterus with adenomyosis – In this case, the lining that covers the outer surface of your cervix starts growing inside in the muscular walls.
• Hormonal imbalance – Periods are regulated by the levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones. Excessive secretion of any hormone leads to a thick lining in the uterus, which causes heavy bleeding in periods. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, insulin resistance, and thyroid problems can also cause hormonal imbalance.
• Ovaries malfunction – If an egg is not produced under a normal ovulating cycle, it may lead to abnormal production of progesterone and estrogen hormones in the body. This then leads to irregular periods, thereby causing menorrhagia.