Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) is a serious condition that can be fatal if it isn’t treated urgently. Many women have heavy flow that is often accompanied by painful cramps, but the type of heavy bleeding that is classified as menorrhagia is not common. Heavy menstrual bleeding is characterised by the need to change your pad or tampon at least once an hour for at least one day. It is also accompanied by cramps that are so painful that it becomes impossible to do anything else. So, what causes heavy menstrual bleeding? Here are the most common causes.
Fibroids
Fibroids are growths or tumours in either the interior or the external layers of the uterus. Fibroids are very common in women, affecting about four in five women around the world. Fibroids can vary in severity depending on several factors. Fibroids cause menstrual bleeding if they grow too big, there are too many of them, or if they start interfering with the nearby organs.
The other types of growth that are related to fibroids are polyps, which are also growths within the uterine lining. Polyps can also cause painful bleeding after sex, and this is one of the major differences between them and fibroids.
Adenomyosis
This is a condition caused by the enlarging of the uterus. This enlarging is caused by the abnormal growth of the endometrial glands. Apart from the heavier flow, the worst thing about adenomyosis is that it can be incredibly difficult to diagnose. This is because x-rays often have a hard time picking up the overgrown tissues, and other diagnostic interventions are required.
Cervical and Endometrial Cancer
Sadly, the prevalence of both endometrial and cervical cancers is high. These cancers are caused by malignant growths that develop in the cervix or the uterine wall. These cancers interfere with how the reproductive system functions and thus cause heavy bleeding.
Endometrial Hyperplasia
This condition results in the thickening of the uterine interior walls and often devolves into endometrial cancer. Endometrial hyperplasia can be used to determine who is at a higher risk of the resulting cancer, giving patients and doctors the time and opportunity they need to deal with the condition before things get worse.
Hormonal Imbalance
Every month, your body builds a lining inside the womb (uterus) in preparation for pregnancy, and your body sheds it during your period if you do not get pregnant. If you have an issue with your hormones, the lining can be too thick. The thicker lining results in heavier bleeding when your periods come.
Hormonal imbalance is the primary reason for heavier menstrual bleeding and intermittent or irregular periods. Because of how prevalent it is, numerous gynaecology specialists focus on this one area to bring relief to millions of women around the world. If you are experiencing any issues with your periods, you can find gynaecology specialists from various private hospitals around the UK through Circle Health Group. This is a platform that connects patients to specialists and hospitals. It also has a comprehensive list of treatments to make filtering through and finding the right specialist easier.
Hormonal imbalances causing heavy bleeding are often more common in younger women going through puberty or who have just passed it, and older women who are approaching menopause.
Complications During Pregnancy
These complications have little to do with your normal menstrual cycle, and you only have to worry about them if you are pregnant or are trying to be. These conditions include miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. Both can be devastating, especially for mums who have been trying to have a baby for a long time, and their main sign is heavy bleeding.
Bleeding Disorders
These are also a less common cause of heavy bleeding, but they do cause it. Bleeding disorders make it much more difficult for someone to stop bleeding if they are cut. These conditions typically run in the family and ladies who have them will often experience much heavier bleeding. Their menstrual cycles might also be longer than those of women without these conditions.
Additionally, some medications can mimic blood disorders. Blood thinners are used to stop the blood from clotting and are used in cases where a person has had surgery, an organ transplant or has clotting issues. Anti-inflammatory medications can also cause excessive and prolonged bleeding.
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
Women who want non-hormonal contraception options have long favoured IUDs over other contraceptive options. Although they are quite effective, they can cause heavy and prolonged bleeding in the women who use them.
Medical Conditions
Various medical conditions could explain heavier bleeding. These include thyroid issues, kidney and liver diseases, as well as any other conditions that can make it harder for the blood to clot.
Heavy bleeding is a very serious condition that can be fatal if no interventions are put in place. Women who experience heavier-than-normal bleeding should see a gynaecology specialist or consultant as soon as possible. They will take your history and then do some blood work to determine the exact cause of your menorrhagia.