Menstrual Bleeding: What are Some Treatment Options?
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What can be done about prolonged menstrual bleeding and cramping (menorrhagia)? Research has found that the people most likely to suffer from this symptom are adolescent girls who recently started their periods or older women approaching menopause.
Getting the necessary help is very important. Why? Because failure to get medical help after it becomes evident that this type of bleeding is really a problem may give time for other health problems such as iron-deficiency anemia and severe pain to develop or get worse.
Tests and Diagnosis
It is important to remember that menorrhagia is not the disease, it is only the symptom. Now your physician’s job is to find out exactly what the problem is. That may mean a series of tests will be ordered and performed for you.
Hopefully, the results from these tests will point to the real, underlying problem, and subsequently, a plan of action can be formalized. There are several factors that doctors keep in mind when prescribing treatment: your overall health and medical history, the cause and severity of the condition, your drug tolerance, the likelihood of your periods actually becoming lighter, your future childbearing plans, the effects of your choices on your lifestyle and your personal opinions.
In many cases, doctors may decide that drug therapy would work best for the patient suffering from excessive bleeding. But if more invasive treatment is needed, especially after drug therapy fails, then surgery is an option. As indicated by the Mayo Clinic, treatment options may include:
Dilation and curettage (D and C) – This option is pretty commonly used in cases of menorrhagia. During a D and C, your doctor will clean out tissue from your uterus which, in effect, decreases the bleeding. Be aware that a subsequent D and C may be needed if the first is not successful.
Operative hysteroscopy – Sometimes a polyp is the cause of heavy menstrual bleeding. If so, your doctor can simply cut the polyp out once it is clearly located.
Endometrial ablation – This option is not for everyone, especially those who may be thinking about having children in the near future.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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