Aster Speciality Clinic

Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia is a common disorder in women. Menorrhagia is the medical term for menstrual bleeding lasting for longer than 7 days. About 1 in every 20 women has menorrhagia.

Menorrhagia can lead to anemia if not treated. Also, the heavy bleeding can affect sleep, cause lower abdominal pain and make enjoyable activities a burden.

If you are experiencing weakness and a disruption to everyday life due to heavy bleeding, you should ask your doctor for treatment options.

signs & symptoms

Soaking 1 or more tampons or pads every hour for many consecutive hours
Doubling up on pads
Changing pads or tampons during the night
Long-lasting menstrual periods (longer than 7 days)
Blood clots the size of a quarter or larger
Bleeding that is keeping you from doing normal activities
Constant pain in lower part of stomach
Lacking energy
Shortness of breath

What causes menorrhagia? Menorrhagia can be caused by uterine problems, hormone problems or other illnesses. Other causes include:

Growths or tumors of the uterus that are not cancer
Cancer of the cervix or uterus
Particular types of birth control
Pregnancy-related problems (miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus) Bleeding disorders
Liver, kidney or thyroid disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (and infection of the female reproductive organs)
Taking certain drugs, such as aspirin
The menopause transition, also referred to as perimenopause
Childbirth
Fibroids or polyps in the lining or muscle of the womb