Pronounced: Men-ore-AH-gee-ah
Menorrhagia is excessive and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding at regular intervals. Although about 30% of women have heavy periods, only 10% of women have menorrhagia. On average, menstrual flow occurs every 28 days and lasts for five days. Four tablespoons to one cup (60 to 250 milliliters) of blood is lost during this time.
In some cases the cause of menorrhagia is unknown. However, many conditions have been known to be associated with menorrhagia. These include:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. People at greatest risk for menorrhagia include:
Symptoms of menorrhagia include:
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical examination including pelvic exam will be done as part of the evaluation. Tests may include:
Treatment of menorrhagia will depend on the underlying cause. Women who experience persistent excessive bleeding should discuss with their healthcare provider whether to take iron supplements to prevent anemia.
If there is no medical disorder causing your menorrhagia, your doctor may prescribe the following:
These may include:
Procedures may include:
Your age, overall health, and medical history should be considered when choosing treatment. Discuss with your doctor your plans for having children.
RESOURCES:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org
The National Women’s Health Information Center
http://www.4woman.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
The Canadian Women's Health Network
http://www.cwhn.ca/indexeng.html
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://sogc.medical.org/
References:
Harvard Guide to Women’s Health . Harvard University Press; 1996.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research website. Available at: http://www.mayo.edu/ . Accessed October 13, 2005.
US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/ . Accessed October 13, 2005.
University of Utah Health Sciences Center. Available at:
http://www.med.utah.edu/healthinfo/adult/women/menor.htm
.
Accessed October 13, 2005.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Jeff Andrews, MD, FRCSC, FACOG
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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